By Johan Azambou
I was born and raised in Buea, Cameroon, a small town tucked on the slope of Mount Cameroon, about 3,000 feet above sea level. It’s where I completed all my secondary education before moving to the U.S. Unlike many people, I never had trouble figuring out what I wanted to study. From a young age, I knew I wanted to major in mathematics. Besides P.E., it was the only class I truly enjoyed because, to me, 1 + 1 has always been 2 – a fact that has never changed since preschool.
When I got into Macalester College, the question wasn’t what to major in but rather what else i wanted to study alongside math. I decided on computer science, partly because I liked the idea of being a “tech bro,” a dream I’m still chasing. Ironically, I also picked up a minor in philosophy, even though I didn’t enjoy writing. I figured if I was going to spend my life in academia, I might as well learn to write better and maybe pretend to be a philosopher while I was at it.
After four wonderful years at Macalester, I began applying to graduate schools. Funny enough, the University of Washington wasn’t originally on my list. I was trying to apply to another school, but after missing their deadline, I decided to look for other programs while waiting for my flight at Charles de Gaulle Airport. That’s when I stumbled upon UW’s Applied Mathematics Department. I quickly threw together my materials and submitted my application before boarding. A few weeks later, I got the admission offer into the Master’s in Applied Mathematics program and that spontaneous decision turned out to be one of the best of my life.
Coming from a town surrounded by mountains, I immediately felt at home in Seattle. I loved that I could see Mount Rainier almost everywhere I went, and even the constant rain reminded me of home. What surprised me most, however, was how few people used umbrellas. It didn’t take long before I stopped using mine too and I guess that’s how I officially become a Seattleite.
The first few weeks into the program was tough. I didn’t know anyone, and the office I shared with other first-year students was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. That changed when we got our first Complex Analysis homework. I remember all of us sitting in silence until one person finally asked, “Does anyone know how to start Problem 4?” That single question opened the floodgates. From then on, we started working together, eating dinner after late study sessions, and somehow ended up watching Dancing with the Stars every other week. I learned that working through difficult math problems together builds not only understanding but also community.
Being a Teaching Assistant for Scientific Computing and Calculus II also helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I had to learn how to balance my own coursework, grading, and teaching responsibilities, and how to explain complex topics clearly without oversimplifying them. It was rewarding to see my students finally grasp a concept they had been struggling with. I think that’s when I began to appreciate the teaching side of academia, something my parents, who are both educators, have always modelled for me. Outside of academics, I found community and joy in the little things such as playing frisbee, soccer, and spike ball with friends after long weeks, and attending church at the First Love Church Seattle, a registered student organization on campus which became a big part of my life. They meet every Sunday at 11:00 am at Denny Hall. These experiences, alongside the friendships I formed gave me balance, especially during stressful quarters.
Looking back, my time at UW has been deeply transformative. It’s where I learned to appreciate not just the theory behind mathematics, but also its application in solving real-world problems. It’s also where I discovered the kind of researcher I want to become; one who bridges computational rigor with creativity and collaboration. As I prepare to start my Ph.D. in Computer Science at Ohio University this coming January, focusing on computational geometry, I feel incredibly grateful for my journey through UW. From the long nights debugging code and solving differential equations to the laughter shared over the bad and expensive food at the DM (a.k.a District Market), every experience has truly shaped me.
Since finishing my degree, I’ve spent time traveling across the U.S. and reconnecting with friends. But no matter where I go, Seattle, with its endless rain, mountains, and memories, still feels like home.