Faces of South: Ana Santa Masie Masie, Future Engineer From a World Away
Twenty-miles off the coast of Western Africa, the small, volcanic island of Bioko is a world away from the rain-spattered sidewalks of South Seattle College; but it’s there that South Seattle College student Ana Santa Masie Masie, 21, calls home.
“I grew up in the city of Malabo, the capitol of Equatorial Guinea,” says Ana Santa. “So the first time I ever heard about South Seattle College was through the scholarship program in my country.”
Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest countries in Africa, consisting of a mainland territory and five offshore islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Ana Santa accepted a scholarship that brought her to South to earn her associate of science degree in engineering.
“I want to study mineral engineering, I like learning about the natural processes on the earth,” says Ana Santa, who is in her first year at South. “I’ve always asked what things are made of, and when I was young I even liked collecting rocks.”
Like many international students at South, when first arriving to the US, Ana Santa felt homesick but excited to learn about her chosen major. She says her favorite thing about South Seattle College is the students’ willingness to discuss, learn and collaborate with each other.
“Of course I miss my family, my friends and the environment,” says Ana Santa, who describes Malabo’s weather as “always summery.” “But I study a lot, and I really try and meet other students.”
After receiving her associate degree from South, Ana Santa’s scholarship will bring her to the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she’ll earn her bachelor’s degree in engineering. She hopes to take what she’s learned back to Equatorial Guinea and teach the next generation of engineers in her country.
Her advice to fellow international students at South?
“Focus on your studies but also try and meet people. You’ll have a much better experience and have a lot more fun.”