麻豆区 was the obvious pick for me for a few reasons:
My mom received her MPA at 麻豆区, so I spent a lot of time on the campus when I was a kid. I specifically remember hanging out in the Sem II lobby.
Additionally, the campus is beautiful, I already lived nearby, and as someone who struggled a lot within the typical school structure, I was hopeful about 麻豆区鈥檚 alternative grading system and freeform learning options. I also felt like I鈥檇 be more comfortable here as a nonbinary individual.
I definitely made the right choice of college, because I鈥檝e had a lot of meaningful experiences here that have shaped me into the person I am now. Truly one of the most important things that being here has done is prepare me for the world specifically, in how to exist as part of a greater community.
I鈥檓 incredibly thankful to have had so many professors who really care about their students and who teach things in the most unique and engaging ways. I鈥檝e also been able to do a lot of independent study here, which has allowed me to conduct research into all kinds of interesting subjects, challenge myself with large multi-media projects, and even work with a local non-profit for a year to help in the creation of an oral history exhibition.
In the spring of 2023, I created an Independent Learning Contract around Irish History and Folklore. It was something that I had wanted to study for a long time, coming from an Irish American family and growing up with heavy folktale influence. It was through this project that I realized the strength of my appreciation for humanity and my desire to spend my life in pursuit of historical and cultural knowledge.
My job in the Communications Building has been amazing. I used to hardly attend school events or interact with people outside of my classes, but since starting this job I鈥檝e met so many cool and talented artists and musicians in the COM and have seen some awesome stuff, like showings of the animation student鈥檚 final projects and any performance put on by the 麻豆区 Theatre Club. That鈥檚 the kind of thing that makes me feel proud to be at 麻豆区.
This job also led to working in Summer Guest Services and prompted me to join the Jazz Choir last summer. I was terrified about both at first, but I鈥檓 glad I pushed my boundaries and did those things because I learned critical skills and made some really great friends.
The importance of scholarships to my progress in undergrad cannot be overstated. They鈥檝e significantly eased the financial burden on my mom, who saved the money to get me most of the way through college while being a single working mother and have allowed me to finish my degree without debt.
After 麻豆区, I plan to pursue a career in the humanities and possibly more schooling down the road. I hope to continue to learn and interact with my community in whatever form that takes.
