Katherine Finley

I'm Katherine Finley, a 24-year-old non-traditional transfer student who is pursuing a degree in Korean Language! Since I moved around a lot in the past (New Jersey, California, Illinois, Arizona), my hobbies have grown around language, culture, and in general, connecting with others in various ways. I love nothing more than to meet someone new while playing video games or trying out a new art project. After testing out of high school and graduating early in 2019, I spent my free time working to save money and exploring my passions. During this time, I also became enthralled by languages, in particular Korean and Mandarin Chinese. Soon after this discovery, I enrolled myself in the local community college in Rockford, Illinois, Rock Valley College. I earned my Associate of Arts degree and quickly applied to the U of A, as I had toured the campus in the past and loved it! Even though I only transferred here recently (Fall 2025), I've still had the pleasure of meeting lots of incredible people and studying abroad in South Korea! Because of these incredible opportunities, I hope to help others like me approach their transfer experience in an optimistic and educated way!