The true college experience
Chris Kromphardt/Guest Columnist
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Opinions
Every so often, an opportunity comes by that you just have to seize. You may not know why you had to do it at the time, but eventually, you come to realize that knowing why doesn't really matter.
One such opportunity came as my chance to spend a semester at another American university (while paying Eastern's tuition) as a part of the National Student Exchange. I'd originally wanted to study abroad for a semester, but while Massachusetts isn't quite another country, it's close.
That's where I'm writing this from - Massachusetts.
I'm sitting here at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, halfway through the semester, thinking about my return in December to Illinois.
The change will be great, as was the one coming out here.
Central Illinois is a lot quieter, and a lot more conservative than the insanely liberal Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. Before I got here, I considered myself liberal, but compared to some of these folks I might as well be Ronald Reagan. But I'm OK with that.
I'm writing this because NSE has gotten me to hold a greater appreciation for my home in Illinois. I know that you're probably thinking this guy's nuts for missing the fabulous cornfields of the Midwest when he's surrounded by scenic, autumnal mountain views in New England.
All the while I've been having some incredible experiences, I've always had Eastern at the back of my mind.
Some of the things I've done here I would definitely call life-changing. Never would I have imagined wandering the streets of Boston, with no goals other than seeing one of the most beautiful cities in America, could be so rewarding.
That kind of freedom - to go wherever your feet (or the subway) can take you, in the most historic of American cities, is not just liberating, it's invigorating. It was quite an experience for this 20-year-old from Spring Valley (population just more than 5,000, grand total of two stoplights). The same went for the rainy Saturday I snuck into the law school at Yale, wanting to see what all the fuss is about. While there, reveling in the contagious pretentiousness of one of the top law schools in the country, it dawned on me: this is where President George W. Bush went to school. Granted, I bet Yale is occasionally disappointed in having him as an alumnus, but regardless, feeling that kind of presence, while surrounded by more smart and/or rich kids than you can imagine, and among such beautiful stone buildings, was pretty incredible.
I would qualify my trip out East as one of perspective-gaining. When I came here, I found that despite my body being in Massachusetts, my mind was back in Illinois. When I return to Eastern, my body will be back in Illinois, but my mind will be in Boston, Manhattan, Montreal, New Haven - all these places I've traveled to and been riveted by. All those remarkable experiences will be indelibly imprinted on me.
I can't think of a greater definition for the "college experience."
One such opportunity came as my chance to spend a semester at another American university (while paying Eastern's tuition) as a part of the National Student Exchange. I'd originally wanted to study abroad for a semester, but while Massachusetts isn't quite another country, it's close.
That's where I'm writing this from - Massachusetts.
I'm sitting here at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, halfway through the semester, thinking about my return in December to Illinois.
The change will be great, as was the one coming out here.
Central Illinois is a lot quieter, and a lot more conservative than the insanely liberal Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. Before I got here, I considered myself liberal, but compared to some of these folks I might as well be Ronald Reagan. But I'm OK with that.
I'm writing this because NSE has gotten me to hold a greater appreciation for my home in Illinois. I know that you're probably thinking this guy's nuts for missing the fabulous cornfields of the Midwest when he's surrounded by scenic, autumnal mountain views in New England.
All the while I've been having some incredible experiences, I've always had Eastern at the back of my mind.
Some of the things I've done here I would definitely call life-changing. Never would I have imagined wandering the streets of Boston, with no goals other than seeing one of the most beautiful cities in America, could be so rewarding.
That kind of freedom - to go wherever your feet (or the subway) can take you, in the most historic of American cities, is not just liberating, it's invigorating. It was quite an experience for this 20-year-old from Spring Valley (population just more than 5,000, grand total of two stoplights). The same went for the rainy Saturday I snuck into the law school at Yale, wanting to see what all the fuss is about. While there, reveling in the contagious pretentiousness of one of the top law schools in the country, it dawned on me: this is where President George W. Bush went to school. Granted, I bet Yale is occasionally disappointed in having him as an alumnus, but regardless, feeling that kind of presence, while surrounded by more smart and/or rich kids than you can imagine, and among such beautiful stone buildings, was pretty incredible.
I would qualify my trip out East as one of perspective-gaining. When I came here, I found that despite my body being in Massachusetts, my mind was back in Illinois. When I return to Eastern, my body will be back in Illinois, but my mind will be in Boston, Manhattan, Montreal, New Haven - all these places I've traveled to and been riveted by. All those remarkable experiences will be indelibly imprinted on me.
I can't think of a greater definition for the "college experience."
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