This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Duke chapter.

Name: Yodit Gebretsadik

Year: 2020

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

1. What Hogwarts house do you belong to and why?

I’m a Gryffindor because I deal with every situation head-on and I’m not scared to stick to and defend my decisions and beliefs. Most people think that being a Gryffindor means being fearless, but it’s understanding and accepting your fears and living and thriving despite those fears.

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully in 5 years I’ll be working in a company I like, doing something I enjoy everyday. Aside from career I don’t really know where I’ll be in 5 years, because it’s hard to imagine living life as a real adult.

3. What technological advance are you looking forward to in the next 50 years?

Even if it might be a cliché, I’m most looking forward to practical advances in hovercrafts and other flying vehicles. I’ve always been fascinated in humans taking flight, but at its current state it’s not widely available for recreational or everyday purposes, so I’m all for the democratization of flight.

4. If you were famous, what would it be for?

Ideally it would be for some crazy invention or tech advancement, but I can also see it being for some stupid video.

5. What made you want to be an engineer?

It seems like most engineers say something like this, but I always liked to take things apart to see how they worked. Now I also get the opportunity to learn to make things work smarter, faster, and cleaner.

6. What’s it like being a David M. Rubenstein Scholar?

Honestly, it’s just an honor to have been selected as a scholar from among the many impressive first-gen students of Duke. It was also a huge relief. I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about student debt, financial insecurity, or being a financial burden on my parents. It also proves to me that hard work pays off and that you can overcome your background when given the opportunities to do so.

7. What’s your favorite smell?

I love the smell of the beach, probably just because I went to the beach all the time as a kid, and it can be so peaceful.

8. What risks are worth taking?

I think it’s worth it when you’re opening yourself up to an opportunity even if you’re risking some sort of disappointment. I also think it’s worth taking a chance on others, imperfection, or on the present moment. Life wouldn’t be interesting without risks.

9. Would you survive a zombie apocalypse? How/Why/Why not?

Probably not since I don’t have any survival skills and I rely of modern tech way too much. I might survive the initial chaos just by getting away from the city, but once the world settles into the apocalypse I would probably die pretty quickly.

10. Why did you decide Duke?

I chose Duke because they offer their students so many opportunities to not only expand on their current studies but also branch out into other fields. They not only offer academic growth, but cultural and social growth. I’m still growing as a person and I’ve always felt that Duke has been a major factor in facilitating that growth.

Humans of Duke: Yodit Gebretsadik