It was just another day for Christine Kan (B.A.; B.S., ’15) as she arrived for work at Sandymount Pet Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. A veterinarian since 2020 after earning her D.V.M. at University College Dublin, she was always busy and had the confidence of a seasoned pro after just two years of practicing. Pet ownership had increased during the pandemic, so there was a never a lull in caring for people’s furry friends.
As her day progressed, she met a cute pup named Bruce and his owner Menno. Bruce, like all her patients, received exceptional care and attention, and Menno felt the relief all pet owners do in knowing his friend was in good hands.
Interactions like this never failed to fulfill Kan. Being a vet was her dream job since she was a little girl growing up in Malaysia. Music also captured her imagination, and at the tender age of three, she was already fluent on the piano. Later on, her parents encouraged her to go to college in the U.S. where she could fulfill her highest potential.
From the tropical terrain and rugged mountains of her home, Kan traveled across the world to the Midwest where she began her college life at a small Michigan university.
“I transferred to CSU after a year and a half, because Michigan just wasn’t for me. I ended up absolutely loving CSU, Fort Collins, and Colorado. The community and culture there was exactly what I was looking for. Also, of all my choices, I loved CSU’s logo the best!”
With two majors – music and zoology – Kan filled her calendar with books and study but also had time for climbing 14ers, running half marathons, and joining the Zoology Club and Marching Band, where she made lifelong friends. During her junior year, she and the band traveled to Dublin to play at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“I had no idea I’d ever live in Dublin at the time,” Kan said. “It never entered my mind until I graduated from CSU and made a goal to continue my education in Europe.”
On the day Kan met Bruce and Menno, life was going well, and she still enjoyed – like she did at CSU – keeping busy with her hobbies and making great friends with similar interests. Little did she know at the time that she’d soon establish new connections – of green and gold.
“One day out of the blue, Nick Rogers in the CSU Alumni Association contacted me. He was doing outreach to alums in the U.K. and wanted to introduce me to several other Rams in Dublin. One of the names on the email introduction seemed familiar. Then it hit me – I knew Menno already!”
Menno could hardly contain his excitement and replied almost immediately. “I know you Christine! My dog Bruce and I love Sandymount Pet Hospital – can’t wait to chat all things CSU!”
It’s a small world at the end of the rainbow.
Ram Pride Is Everywhere
Choose any day of the year, even during Ireland’s wet, rainy season, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find Menno Axt (B.A.S., ’15) hiking on the Howth Cliff Walk about 30 minutes from Dublin. It feels like a different world there from the crowded, pub-filled city as the breeze hits your face and views of the majestic, bright blue sea fill your eyes.
Although Axt loves hiking the trails and visiting all the beautiful landscapes that Ireland has to offer, it’s the mountains that are closest to his heart. Having grown up in Amsterdam and traveled throughout Europe to the best ski towns – including in the Alps and Dolomite Mountains – he marveled when he hit the slopes in Colorado for the first time.
“Snow in Colorado is such an incredible quality, not the same in Europe,” Axt explained. “Skiing in the Rocky Mountains and being surrounded by nature, who could ask for anything better?”
Visiting Colorado’s pristine skiing towns was a big part of Axt’s experience at Colorado State University as a member – and then president – of CSU’s Alpine ski team. Going to locations such as Telluride and Copper Mountain was the perfect weekend destination as he pursued a double major of business and economics in the College of Business. An “idea person” since his earliest years, the college was a natural fit for his talents.
“When I was young, I would set up little companies and come up with ideas to get the businesses going. While the other kids wanted to play ball, I wanted to be an entrepreneur.”
When he joined the New Venture Accelerator Program in the College of Business’s Institute of Entrepreneurship, Axt had the chance to create his own startup and through that experience made connections that have guided his life to this day.
“Through the Venture program, I found a job at a Denver-based startup where I did similar work in business development. And from there, the opportunity to work in Ireland came up a year later. Currently I’m investing in startups and helping them connect with mentors and raise capital for their success. I never would have wound up in Dublin if it wasn’t for the education and connections I made at CSU.”
Looking back at his time at Colorado State, Axt calls it one of the most positive experiences of his life. He regularly goes back to visit and to enjoy the mountains with his old friends. He’s excited that the new Ram network in Dublin is strengthening his ties to CSU even more.
“Being an international Ram at CSU was such an incredible learning opportunity, and my little brother even went there. To spread the values that CSU instilled in me around the world and build a new community with fellow Rams in Dublin is very meaningful to me.”
And just like for Axt, Christine Kan feels there’s just something special about being a Ram.
“My time at CSU was so significant to me and I still feel a great sense of community. If I wear my Ram gear, I seem to meet another Ram no matter where I go; we just automatically connect, and that’s an exciting thing to have.”
Both lovers of the great outdoors, Axt and Kan are brainstorming possible hikes for the next Dublin Ram network outing. Howth Cliff Walk is at the top of the list of options, along with a few other nearby trails that overlook the sea. With the ever-changing spring weather, they just might see a rainbow.
