by Hannah Sievert |
While most Pilots returned from winter break to embrace the second half of their year, second semester transfer students were moving into new rooms, taking a deep breath and starting school at UP for the first time.
I — a freshman transferring from the University of Washington — am a “new kid” myself. At UW, I experienced feeling alone, lost and like nothing but a number.
There were 6,800 kids in my freshman class. My Intro to Literary Studies lecture was not only a mile away from my house, but consisted of 300 other students. We sat in an auditorium and the professor, whom I never met personally, stood in front with a microphone.
Beyond the long walks and big classes, the school had a dominating competitive atmosphere, and I found meeting people and maintaining friendships exceedingly difficult. I was only there one quarter, but I knew UW was not the place for me.
Already things have been better after deciding to transfer. Here at UP, I walk to class in under five minutes. My classes have about 25 students and I’ve met all of my professors. People hold open doors and are outgoing and friendly. It hasn’t been easy starting over, but I’m really thankful to be a part of this school’s engaging atmosphere.
And I’m not the only one who enjoys the refreshing culture of this school. Whenever I see my fellow transfers around campus, they mention things I’ve noticed myself: “People have been so nice,” “Everyone is so friendly and welcoming,” “The professors are so enthusiastic,” and most often, “The food here is SO good.”
All 90 transfers have a story of why they came here. It appears that at the heart of each story is, “My last school was OK, but it wasn’t great. I think it’s going to be great here.” And I couldn’t agree more. Even in my few weeks of being here, I can tell that UP has a special brand of community; one that is kind, welcoming and generous. UP already feels like home.
Meet the Transfers:
Angelica Shaw Sophomore Previously Attended: Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Virg. Major: Environmental ethics and policy Originally From: Farifax, Virginia Why did you choose to leave your last school? “Nothing bad happened at my last school. I just didn’t feel like it challenged me in ways I wanted to be challenged. It wasn’t creative enough and there wasn’t diversity…I want to expand my mind and get a better sense of the world.”
Georgia Filler Freshman Previously Attended: Pacific University, Forest Grove, Ore. Major: Biology Originally From: Moscow, Ida. What do you like about the University of Portland that you’ve noticed right away? “There are so many ways to get involved here, and it doesn’t have to always be a sport. I played soccer at my last school and that was all I did...The people here, too, are so cool.”
Taylor Stewart Sophomore Previously Attended: George Fox University, Newberg, Ore. Major: Communication Studies Originally From: Portland, Ore. Why did you decide to transfer to the University of Portland? “People always say college is the best four years of your life. I was at George Fox like, ‘Is this as good as it gets?’ And so I’m seeing if the grass really is greener on the other side. I’m transferring to have more fun…the possibility for fun here is big.”
Hannah Sievert is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at sievert19@up.edu.
