My mom moved me into my dorm room in the ugliest dorm campus. I didn’t care as I had chosen to attend the best college that I got into and provided enough financial aid. I felt both like I belonged and that I landed there by luck or a mistake, so I showed up intent on making good on the opportunity. 

My mom got me settled and left me at orientation: a campus tour, a dorm meeting and a barbecue. Then – we were off to get an education.  I met some women that day who remain my closest friends.

Rafael (Yong-Ak) Song, Program Head of Bioengineering

I studied Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Aachen, Germany. There were 1000 incoming freshmen in Mechanical Engineering alone. I felt lost in this large crowd, super nervous, and afraid of being alone in a new place. However, I quickly made new friends during the orientation when we explored the city together and felt at home in Aachen.

Anju Mary Paul, Professor of Social Research and Public Policy

I went to university in Singapore as an international student, and stayed in a residence hall all four years of my degree. Raffles Hall on the National University of Singapore campus largely catered to international students like me and it became my entire universe. I threw myself into so many different hall-based student groups - from drama to the yearbook to student government - and made close friendships with other students from the region. I have to admit my studies were a much lower priority! What was more important to me was the learning I was doing outside the classroom.

Jinan Bastaki, Associate Professor of Legal Studies

It's been a while, so I cannot say that I remember what my first day was like, let alone my feelings on that day! That said, I know that it took me a while to warm up to the place, and once it did, it was singlehandedly the most formative experience I had. The seeds for so much of what I do now were planted then (Thanks Professor Alejandro Chehtman of Public International Law for the inspiration!). Discomfort is good, new experiences are great, and thanks to the active student body, I learned as much outside of the classroom as in it.

Gregory Pardlo, Program Head for Literature and Creative Writing

My family couldn't afford to send me to college right away. I wanted to do whatever I could to continue to grow intellectually until I could finance my education on my own. I moved to Copenhagen (where university was free for transfer students) and took some classes on the side while washing dishes at a restaurant.