Raquel Munoz Ruiz
Many American Language Institute (ALI) students attend classes to improve their English and better their chances to enroll to the main campus of San Diego State University (SDSU). In 2008, Raquel Munoz Ruiz enrolled in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes and studied for two semesters. She then enrolled for one semester in Intensive English Communications (IEC) program courses. She applied to main campus and was accepted into SDSU and is currently majoring in biology with an emphasis in zoology.
Where are you from?
I’m from a city called Santa Cruz in Bolivia.
How long have you been at SDSU?
I came to the U.S. about two and a half years ago. I attended the ALI, then took classes at another school, and then applied to SDSU.
Why did you choose SDSU?
I love San Diego and for my major I wanted to go to SDSU. My dream job is to work at the zoo. My goal is to be a herpetologist. My father is one and my mother worked with snakes for 25 years, so it runs in the family. I like snakes and lizards. I eventually want to earn my Ph.D.
Where is your favorite place to eat?
I have a few but on campus I have a new favorite, Las Casitas. There are so many restaurants in San Diego that I like, I also enjoy eating Korean and Vietnamese.
What is your favorite thing about San Diego?
The weather and the beach. There’s no place like San Diego, there is so much diversity here. You see people from all over the world, so you don’t have to travel far to meet people from other countries. I also love that it’s laidback here.
Have you made many friends here?
A lot! I play tennis and that helps. I play sports and I’ve learned a lot about the culture from sports. I learned to surf, box, wakeboard and I play soccer too. I surf in La Jolla. My perfect weekend is surfing. There is no ocean in my country, but here there are so many beaches. I go to the beach all the time.
