THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL
Xyle Altura:
Starting Fresh in Fargo—A Creative's Journey of Connection and Career. "Kamusta! I’m Xyle Altura, a 22-year-old Filipino graphic designer, photographer, and content creator. I recently moved to Fargo on my own to study Strategic Communication at North Dakota State University. I’m an only child; my mom, Quinine, is a high school teacher, and my dad, Edwin, works as a custodian. Growing up, I was always drawn to creative pursuits, and today, I channel that passion into visual art through poster design and photography. I also enjoy creating short videos where I share my experiences, interests, and hobbies with others online."
46 | DECEMBER 2024 | FARGOMONTHLY.COM
Tell me about your journey before coming to Fargo? Where are you originally from? I was born and raised in Las Piñas, Philippines, and later moved to Carmona, Cavite, before coming to the U.S. In 2017, my dad and I joined my mom in McIntosh, SD, where I completed high school in 2020. After taking a gap year due to the pandemic, I worked in Grand Forks, then enrolled at Bismarck State College in 2021, where I earned an associate’s degree in graphic design and communications. I later worked as a graphic designer at Flash Printing in Bismarck. Though I enjoyed the experience, I wanted to explore more and grow in a larger community, so I made the move to Fargo to continue my journey and pursue new opportunities. What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy many things, so I’ll break them into categories: creatively, I love making videos about my interests, designing graphic art, and photographing food, products, and people. Socially, I cherish time with family and friends because they keep me inspired. Indoors, I enjoy cooking, watching shows, and learning new skills on YouTube. Outdoors, I’m
passionate about travel and have explored the Philippines, Canada, and half the U.S. Physically, I believe in self-care and consistently go to the gym a few times a week. The gym is a personal safe space that keeps me grounded and healthy. How was finding friends or an affinity group like for you in the FM area? At first, I thought making friends and connections would be difficult, even though I knew a few people who had moved from Bismarck to Fargo. I was nervous about meeting new people in a new place. However, I quickly found friends and built connections with others who share my interests within a short amount of time. What is something that stood out to you about Fargo? What stood out most to me is Fargo’s diversity, especially compared to other places I’ve lived in the U.S. There’s such a wide variety of cultural backgrounds here, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I found other Filipinos nearby. I also noticed the impressive range of food options and the strong sense of community involvement whether it be in art, food, or cultural events, Fargo’s