Rachel Lee

Growing up in a traditional Chinese family, it was essential for Rachel, a Sixth College Human Biology major, to maintain a balance between Western and Chinese cultures. Her parents sent her to Chinese school at a young age, hoping she would be able to construct an identity that balances both cultures. “I was grateful for all the opportunities to excel academically in Chinese school, but I was prouder of my ability to reconcile my two cultures and find my own place within this culture.”

During the summer following her freshman year at UC San Diego, Rachel served as a medical assistant at a local pediatric clinic. “I learned all the tasks of a medical assistant, from insurance verification to vaccine administration. My most priceless experience, however, was seeing and interacting with so many different families. Serving as a medical assistant has opened my eyes to the field of pediatric medicine, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

While the pandemic prevented Rachel from continuing the lab work she was involved in at the time, she is grateful for being able to pursue another of her interests: education and teaching. “During spring quarter of my sophomore year, I served as an instructional assistant (IA) for a biology course. Through this experience, I learned more about interacting with peers as an IA as well as my teaching and learning preferences. I discovered that I not only enjoy what I learn in my major, but I’m also interested in efforts to improve STEM education.”