I am excited that I am taking advantage of the 12-college exchange program, which includes Wesleyan University, Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Connecticut College, Wellesley College, Mount Holyoke College, Trinity College, Vassar College, Wheaton College, Dartmouth College, Connecticut College-National Theatre Institute and Williams-Mystic Seaport Program. This program allows anybody from any of these schools to study somewhere else for a semester or a year. I’m shocked that I am the only current exchange student at Wesleyan! Perhaps the exchange program is not advertised in the same way that studying abroad is. Although I am not at my “home” college, Mount Holyoke, I am now settling into another home, and getting acquainted with an entirely new community of people.
A lot of people ask me why I decided to come to Wesleyan for the exchange. There are so many valid reasons why. Most of the time, I say because Wesleyan is such a renowned university. I had heard great things about the fabulous ethnomusicology and dance departments. I also wanted to experience a co-ed atmosphere, since Mount Holyoke is a women’s college.
From the start, I noticed how many similarities there were between Mount Holyoke and Wesleyan. First of all, they are both small, liberal arts institutions that were both founded in the 1830s. The surroundings of the colleges are very similar, because they are almost in suburbia. I was thrilled to discover Lyman Orchards because it resembles the scenery near Mount Holyoke. I also noticed how there were very concrete differences, like how Mount Holyoke only has one meal plan option, 20 meals per week. It is very nice to have options for a meal plan here. I’m excited that I am on the all-points meal plan. That way, I am not limited to the dining hall when I have a meal. Since I love to cook, I can go to Weshop and easily get my ingredients!
Another major difference between Mount Holyoke and Wesleyan are the housing situations. At Mount Holyoke, your main option would be to live in a dorm. There are a very limited amount of apartments for upperclassmen. It will be great to be living in a house, specifically Well-Being House. Since there are only 12 people living in our house, we would get to know each other, which is so much better than living in a dorm. We will have weekly house dinners and organize house events for ourselves and for people outside, such as a smoothie party. Another major difference between both institutions in that Mount Holyoke is part of a five-college consortium, so we are allowed to take classes at any of the four other colleges in the consortium, including Hampshire College, Amherst College, University of Massachusetts in Amherst (Umass Amherst) and Smith College. A free student-run bus for students provides transportation between the colleges. I actually knew a Mount Holyoke student who took more classes at UMass Amherst than Mount Holyoke.
Although I’m still adjusting to life at Wesleyan, I know that I will quickly settle. I will join clubs and remain active, just as I was at Mount Holyoke. I am already in choir and will be choreographing for a dance group. I also had another experience of “jumping over the edge” this summer. I went to Barcelona to study for two months. The first week, I experienced “extreme shock.” It was culture shock. But, after the first couple of weeks, I felt like I was a Spaniard. Outside of class, I spoke Spanish to people in the streets, took flamenco lessons and learned how to cook Spanish food and traveled to different cities. This experience was such a great eye-opener.
Before I arrived at Wesleyan, I had no second thoughts about my decision. I had confidence that I would jump over the hurdle with grace, agility and confidence. Although I am on the other side of the hurdle, I am still on my marathon of exploration and self-discovery. If you are a freshman or sophomore, consider the 12-college exchange for your junior year. Extend your boundaries and keep an open mind. Jump over the hurdle!
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