Miss COED 2017‘s Christa Widjaja is living out her dream. Thanks to her parents who moved from Indonesia to America 30 years ago, Christa has had the opportunity to not only finish her undergrad but also complete her first semester of optometry school.
The 22-year-old also has plans to travel the world – literally – including every continent except Antarctica, for obvious reasons. She wants to experience other cultures and their food, and TBH same.
Get to know more about our semifinalist below, and be sure to check back daily as we get to know each of our contestants a bit better.
If you could travel anywhere in the world for Spring Break, where would you go?
I would travel to Europe and backpack through as many countries as possible! I know it sounds cliché, but I’ve never been to Europe. All the pictures and videos that I see from the internet and friends are beautiful. I want to see the Eiffel Tower, Stonehenge, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Santorini sunsets, and so much more. It’s an adventure just waiting for me.
Who do you look up to the most and why?
Without a doubt, [I look up to] my parents. They are the reason that I am living out my dream right now. As a first-generation American, there is so much that I am constantly thankful for. I would not have all of the opportunities that I have been given if my parents had not moved to America 30 years ago. My mom specifically completed nursing school while learning English when she first got here…imagine that! I want to be like them in the future. I want to be someone who gives another person something that can never be thanked enough for or replaced.
Name one thing on your bucket list.
I want to visit every single continent someday. Except maybe Antarctica! There are so many unique cultures out there that I want to experience. Also, can’t forget about all the amazing foods around the world.
Cliché, but where do you see yourself in five years? Ready, set, go!
You asked for cliché, so here it is… Hopefully, I am an optometrist starting my own private practice. I might be engaged to my soulmate whoever he may be, living in a cute apartment or house with a fun, loving dog. Maybe a couple of things have been checked off my bucket list! In five years, I just want to be happy, loved, and close to my family and friends.
What’s your biggest accomplishment thus far?
My biggest accomplishment is definitely surviving my first semester of optometry school. I thought that my classes in undergrad were difficult, but nothing compares to the 20 credit hours that I just completed. None of my undergrad friends better be complaining to me about their finals or classes!! I can now say that I am 1/8 of an optometrist y’all!
