Nalgene water bottles, Birkenstocks, succulents, and Bernie Sanders lovers are just a few stereotypes of a liberal arts college like Whitman, the place I call my home away from home. Although I do agree that these stereotypes are prevalent on campus, I also believe that there's more to us than that: continued and encouraged growth.

When I went home for the summer, I was asked about two-thousand times, "How is college?" and I always answered with "good" because to be honest, I didn't really know how college affected me or how I felt about it. Early last week I had an epiphany that made me realize how much this liberal environment has impacted me and my lifestyle. That sunny afternoon is when I finally realized why I love my liberal college.

There were so many concepts I didn't know before coming to college like, white privilege/fragility, sexuality, microaggressions, cultural appropriation, social constructs, etc... Now, I didn't go to a class and learn all of that. I learned these things because I am constantly surrounded by students and staff/faculty that know about these things and incorporate it into their daily conversations. I started seeing changes in my habits like using less water in the shower, switching to using reusable water bottles, and valuing things like compost and organic foods. The day I had this epiphany was the day I changed my mandala tapestry to a tapestry of the world map because I learned that by displaying someone else's cultural and valued object, I wasn't appreciating it in the way it should be and was meant to be.

As I get deeper into my sophomore year, I know I will continue to learn more that will promote my self-growth and understanding of the people around me and ways I can make this world a more inclusive, accepting place.