Meet Danika Tarasewich, a student whose path at the University of Lethbridge has been defined by resilience, curiosity, and a genuine connection to the community. From navigating chaos and academic shifts to finding belonging in the Department of English, especially the Open Mic nights, Danika has embraced both challenges and opportunities with humour and determination.
Whatever you end up doing with your life, let it be something you want to do, and let others help you figure out what that is if you’re unsure.
Meet Danika | Ambitious. Sensitive. Witty.
Program: Bachelor of Arts | Major: English
Why did you choose ULethbridge?
By the time I finished high school, I had been living in Lethbridge for several years, and staying here just made the most sense financially and developmentally.
Did you know what you wanted to study before you came to ULethbridge?
I've switched gears several times. I even ended up dropping out of school entirely for a moment — but I’m back to the plan I started with: staying in the realm of academia.
What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience so far?
Honestly, it’d have to be the COVID-strike semester of ‘22. I feel like, ironically, the external chaos allowed me to sort out my own internal chaos, and if it hadn’t happened, I don’t know that I wouldn’t still be sleepwalking through everything. It just kind of woke me up.
How have your professors impacted your education?
In too many ways to list here. I feel compelled to mention Brendan Cummins in the School of Liberal Education and Drs. Jay Gamble and David B. Hobbs in the English department, all of whom have changed or even saved my life, even if they don’t know it.
Danika is generous, funny and ferociously intelligent. — Dr. David Hobbs, Department of English
Are you participating in any extracurricular activities?
I can barely make it up the Fine Arts stairs without dry-heaving, so no sports.
In all seriousness, though, I don’t write creatively, but I regularly attend the English department Open Mic nights hosted by Dr. David Kootnikoff. I’ve been here a long time – not unlike the ghost that allegedly haunts the library – and I can honestly say that I’ve never felt such a strong sense of belonging to something before, at least not at this school. I think that getting the opportunity to learn more about the people around me – and I do feel like reading or hearing someone else’s work is such an intimate and wonderful thing, even if it’s in a crowded, over-head lit room – has been so important to my education as a person, let alone as a student.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I really like watching movies! And hanging out with my friends! And thinking about reading and writing, probably more than actually reading and writing.
What are three awesome things about you?
I polled a friend for this one: My faith in other people. My sense of humour. My curiosity.
What are your hopes/plans for the future?
I’m looking towards grad school, but more immediately than that, I just need to finish all my readings for next week.
What advice would you like to give those about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?
Do it scared. Embarrass yourself. Be clumsy and stutter and let your hands shake. Handing in something awful doesn’t mean that you’re awful. Most importantly, maybe: talk to people. Talk to your professors and peers, and learn how to talk to and with yourself. Whatever you end up doing with your life, let it be something you want to do, and let others help you figure out what that is if you’re unsure. And, for the love of god, get some sleep.
Quick Answers
Favourite class: Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama
Favourite place to study: Anywhere in Uhall! I need background noise.
About Shining Students
Shining Students engage inside and outside of the classroom. What makes a student shine may differ from person to person, but they all share a passion for learning. They may be top students, involved in an innovative project, participating in ground-breaking research, playing Pronghorn athletics, fighting for social issues or all of the above! When students find something they enjoy and combine it with what they are good at, they shine.
Each year, the Faculty of Arts & Science's faculty and staff nominate students who exemplify the ULethbridge student spirit. Congratulations Danika!