So are you graduating this year?

I am.

What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you’re done with finals?

I’m going shoe shopping.

Now, is that therapeutic for you or is it something you need to do?

It’s something I need to do for my graduation outfit, but it’ll definitely be therapeutic.

Are you wearing a fancy outfit underneath your cap and gown?

Oh yeah. It was a big shopping trip for the outfit last weekend, this week it’s the shoes.

What kind of graduation celebrations are you planning?

I’m going out to drinking and karaoke tomorrow. 

At the same time … 

Drinking before the karaoke, you’ve got to drink to lead up to the karaoke.

Since you mention karaoke, what is the first song you would sing?

My friend and I are planning to sing “”Total Eclipse of the Heart.”” (Laughter.)

Nice. Have you seen the literal music video of that song?

No.

Oh my gosh. Someone just takes the original video and instead of putting subtitles of the lyrics, they’re describing the entire video, everything that’s actually happening in it.

Yeah, you know, that’s a good one.

Would you sing the literal version of the song?

Probably. After like three drinks, I’ll probably do anything. (Laughs.)

That’s … good to know! So, uh, what are you planning to do after graduation?

I’m starting an internship in Alaska this August. It’s a dietetic internship. I am hoping to do a lot of work with rural communities and native peoples. So I’m really excited for that.

Why Alaska?

I’ve been there a couple times before, and I absolutely love it up there.

Have you been there in winter?

I have not been there during winter so it’s going to be a little different, but I am ready to go.

I’ve been there once, it was during summer — very weird. The sun almost never sets.

Yeah, the sun sets at like 11:30. It’s like living in a different country, well, some of it, and I’m really excited to go.

So what’s one major lesson you’re taking away from your time here at the U of A?

Get involved doing stuff. Just try and do as much as you can while you’re here.

What was the best thing you did?

I was in the Nutrition Club and I really liked that. I also was a preceptor for classes and that was a lot of fun.

Any advice for next year’s graduates?

Work hard, but enjoy your remaining semesters. Just try to do as many fun things as you can.

— Steven Kwan