Choosing colleges is not easy, but I sure am glad that I chose Mercyhurst University. This is my home, my friends are now my family, and I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. There are so many great opportunities to be had here.
I have had the chance to learn a lot of new things while attending this school. No, I don’t just mean things that I have learned in class. I mean that I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge about the community and personally mature through many different aspects of our campus.
Mercyhurst University has a 25 percent international rate. Considering the small size of our school, this is outstanding, and it is also one of my favorite aspects about living here. I have been exposed to so many different cultures, even some that I was never aware existed. Before coming to Mercyhurst, I went to a school made up of primarily Caucasian students, who were born and raised in the U.S. Being exposed to people from around the world has broadened my views on many different things and a lot of the international kids are some of the coolest people I have met. Taking the time to get to know things about what it was like to live back in their countries is just very intriguing to me. Even meeting people from other places in the U.S. has changed my outlook. Sometimes you don’t sit back and realize how great the life that you have is.
For a majority of my life, I had my own bedroom. Therefore, coming to school was a dramatic change for me. I went from having my own room to having to share a room with a complete stranger. I can’t say that I was completely thrilled and excited to have a roommate, but it turned out to be one of the most positive experiences that I have had. I have learned how to be more understanding, and I enjoy having someone who is always there to talk to me. My randomized roommate became one of my best friends and that’s all I could have ever hoped for. It is strange to go home to my own room at home now, and while I am home I feel like my roommate should be there with me.
Another big change from high school to college is the classes that you take. Taking classes that actually matter for my future career has changed my outlook on education. In high school, it was difficult to want to pay attention in class, but now that I am learning things that suit my interests, it is a lot easier. Although more work may be involved, I feel more willing to work hard in order to achieve my future goals. The professors here truly care about each student, and that is a very important thing to realize when you go to Mercyhurst. I am glad that I am not just a name on a piece of paper who gets a letter grade. I enjoy the fact that if I need help, my professor will know who I am and will also be more than happy to give me the extra help that I need.
School spirit is key. This is one of the many things that Mercyhurst has taught me. If you attend the events (both the sporting events and the weekend events held by the SAC and MAC), your college experience will become a lot more enjoyable. There are always fun things happening on campus, which also allow you to make new friends. Coming to college has made me a more outgoing and friendly person.
I wouldn’t change anything about my college experience, even if I had the chance. In just one year my life has changed a significant amount for the better. My Mercyhurst experience is something that I will never forget and I will always cherish.
