Bethel University freshmen Lissa Tin sits outside of Royal Grounds on April 22. She’s getting interviewed about her plan to purchase her one-way ticket to London to become a tattoo artist. “I always wanted to do something in art,” Tin said. “I love the idea of being able to help tell someone tell their story through ink.”

Bethel Bits: Dreams await abroad

Lissa Tin prepares to buy her one-way flight to London.

By Miranda Weippert | Royal Report

Sitting in her basement, Lissa Tin grabbed a thick sewing needle and India ink and began outlining a heart on her left wrist. At 15, she gave herself her first tattoo.

Now a Bethel University freshman, Tin inked four out of 11 tattoos on her body by herself and even pierced her own belly button, lip and ear. An elephant sits on her right shoulder, which represents human compassion. Hebrews 11:1 inked on her right collarbone represents her recent transformation to Christianity. And an American traditional flower sprawled across her left arm just for fun.

“I chose to major in music and missional ministries because I realized art was something I could always do.” — Lissa Tin, freshman artist

Tin likes more than just piercings and tattoos. She is majoring in music and missional ministries, aiming to study abroad in London next fall with her best friend Ana Irakoze.

“I chose to major in music and missional ministries because I realized art was something I could always do,” Tin said. “I felt like an art major would give me a wide range of styles and new possibilities, but I already knew what I wanted to do and I really wanted a better understanding of Jesus.”

For Tin, it’s not just her dream of becoming a tattoo artist that influences her decision to go to London and not come back. It’s her love for London’s music scene. She wants to stay where she thinks she belongs — even if it means not coming back to Bethel.

“London’s music scene is ridiculous,” Tin said. “There isn’t anything like it. It will give me gigantic opportunities to get my music out there. I don’t plan on dropping out of school. Hopefully I’ll just get to stay at the school I’m studying abroad with.”

Besides practicing on herself, Tin also practices her tattooing skills on friends and family.

“I accidently wrote 2018 instead of 2013 when practicing on my dad,” Tin admitted. “I get more practice — he gets free tattoos — it all works out.”