Archive - 2017

Coming back from a semester abroad is fraught with difficulties and joys. One of the hardest things is being asked: “What was your favorite part?” I spent three months in Belfast, Northern Ireland, living with 19 other JBU students. I traveled all over the country, spent a weekend in London, and then went to Edinburgh, Scotland on my own for five days at the end of the semester. How am I supposed to choose my favorite part? I loved all of it! My favorite part was, quite literally, absolutely everything. During the semester we were privileged to have JBU professor[…]

My sophomore year, I realized I needed professional help; yet, I was terrified and ashamed to admit it. Only after my roommate informed me that he was attending counseling did I gird myself, take a deep breath and finally go. I’m just going to get it out in the open: it’s okay to admit you need counseling. There’s a strange stigma of shame and embarrassment that people associate with counseling. I, for one, definitely felt that way in the beginning of my counseling journey. My counseling experience has been nothing short of excellent. My counselor listened well and offered encouragement[…]

“I don’t know how we met,” I say, looking at one of my best friends. We’re en route to our dorm, walking together after a meal in the cafeteria. There’s a slight pause and then Hannah responds, “Yeah, I have no idea. It was during orientation at some point.” Ah, yes. Orientation week. I have some very distinct memories of orientation week—sitting in one of the art buildings figuring out my schedule, walking the longest possible way to Hutch in order to buy a book, sitting with my O-group under a tree, and somehow finding and hanging out with the[…]