When I arrived in Providence I didn’t realize how much I would learn. I had realized that I would learn in my class but I had no idea how much I would learn outside of the classroom. I had no idea how different some people’s lives were.
When I arrived at the dorms I entered my room to find that my roommate had already arrived and unpacked. Her parents were there with smiles on their faces as I walked through the door. They were very friendly and asked me numerous questions about where I was from, what class I would be taking, and what I would expect out of the program.
I was a little overwhelmed to say the least but I was happy that people were so interested in me. As the first few days went by everyone else I met would ask these types of questions. “Where are you from?”…”What kind of school do you go to?”…”What class are you taking?” I would ask these questions right back and after a while I realized how diverse the students in the program where.
It is one thing to be told that you are going to meet people from everywhere but it is another thing to actually meet and talk to them. I learned that just within the United States that there are so many ways of growing up. Many of the students in the program came from private schools. My roommate came from a very liberal private school outside of Boston. She told me that she had to go to this school because the public school in her area did not accept that her parents were gay and that she was adopted. I could not believe this. It took a few more stories to realize that everyone comes from a different place even if they live in the same neighborhood.
As I got over this shock Brown became my home. My friends and I would go on Thayer Street and explore the many wonders it had to offer. We took public transportation and went to the beach for a day. Even with all of this exploring we still made time for hard core studying. We would all go to Arnold Lounge, get in a circle, and work. If one of us got stuck the others would try and help. We worked independently but as a team. There would be days when we would spend three hours doing work and days where we spent only an hour. The study group that we formed helped me better understand the work but also helped me realize that other people think differently. I will never forget the friends that I made there and will cherish what they have taught me and hold on to the fun times that we had.
The last week was now upon us and I realized that these are the kind of people that I would want to spend a whole year with. It took me a week to get to know them, a week to understand them, and after that I only had a week to have fun with them.
Throughout the three weeks I made bonds with people that can’t be broken. Their enthusiasm for school and learning was a refreshing environment. When I was there I didn’t worry about things back home or the problems of the world, I was just able to learn. The people around me made this possible because they made school their number one priority and didn’t fuss or complain about the problems that the world might have. For three weeks I was worry free and able to put all my energy into learning. The people make the program.
This program has allowed me to become a better, more informed, more understanding, and more enthusiastic person. Being surrounded by a community that wants to learn has made me want to apply to Brown. If they can make people connected for life in just three weeks then they can do anything.
If I had not gotten into this program I would still be scared to go out into the world and meet new people. I now feel like I could go anywhere and do anything.
Megan,
ReplyDeleteFrom your blog it sounds as though you've learned a lot over these last three weeks at Brown. Through the ILC it seems that you've learned while in the classroom, you've learned about other people and you've learned something about yourself. All three are worthy endeavors.
If you were so inclined, we’d love to read more about what you plan to do with your newfound knowledge and confidence. How will this affect your classmates, your school, your District and your community? What will you be able and willing to tell them to help them share with what you’ve learned?
When you first interviewed for this program you told us that Brown was your dream school. You told us that Brown was where you wanted to matriculate and spend your college years. When you spoke of Brown in that interview your eyes lit up and sparkled.
During these past three weeks, though, you’ve written about how you want to attend school somewhere closer to home. You’ve spoken about how you want to attend college so it’s only an hour or so away from home. Have your dreams about Brown changed? Have you decided that your commitment to your home will be a deciding factor in where you apply?
These are all legitimate things to consider when applying for a college and each student has to do what they think is right for them. It’s often a very tough call for a student to make. Some students want to get as far away from home as they can while others make planes to stay at home forever.
Maybe you can share with us what’s going through your mind and what may have altered your dreams.