Upon applying to college, I was completely unsure about where I wanted to go. I was torn between having that classic movie experience of going to a big state school and a small 1,600 student school in the middle of nowhere. When I finally decided to experience life at a small school, I was struck with worry. I worried about the school being so small I would never get the chance to constantly see new faces. I worried that after coming from a large city, I would die of boredom in rural Ohio. However, thinking back, I could not have made a better choice. Kenyon is a unique place and it surely is not for everyone, but there are little reminders that show me just how good my decision was.
One rainy morning, I left my dorm in a hurry to make my 10 a.m. class. In all the hurry, I left my phone behind. Of course, I craved my phone when the urge to check Instagram and Snapchat kicked in. But what I realized is that technological communication was not necessary. I couldn't walk more than 20 feet without running into a friendly face. Having everyone on campus makes it so easy to know everyone's whereabouts.
Another aspect of our small campus is having one dining hall. I never need to check in advance who will be there because you can clearly find your friends upon arrival. Yes the dining hall over crowds, but this is a small price to pay for the ability to feel comfortable and welcomed.
It is times like these where I realize I wouldn't want to be at any other school. Yes, Kenyon is small and secluded and can sometimes feel monotonous, but more than that, I feel a sense of warmth and inclusion. The familiar faces comfort me in times of struggle and I cant imagine walking around a campus with thousands of unknown faces. Kenyon is so small that word travels fast and yes everyone knows everything, but this is almost comforting. To those people, you are someone, you bring a face to a name, and you're not just a face in the crowd. You're not just a number, you are recognized for your talents and personality.
Kenyon's strong and unique community is so special and it's such an amazing experience. It is bizarre and overwhelming at times, but it also makes me feel like I'm recognized. Coming from a large city, it is easy for me to feel lost among thousands, but at Kenyon my place is found and I feel supported and encouraged by both the students around campus as well as the teachers in each classroom. I am so happy with my choice and I wouldn't change it for anything.
