"The college experience."
That's what I would always tell my parents Samford University was lacking. Three years in, and I can 100 percent say that I am still uncomfortable here.
Something is missing.
Maybe it's the big tailgates that are at state schools or the huge football games that bring the whole campus together. Maybe it's the fact that my sorority isn't out partying every weekend together, or maybe it's the fact that I don't necessarily live in a "college town." I'm not sure if, deep inside of me, I want those things. To be honest, I don't know. I just know my school is different, and I can't say I necessarily like it.
If you attend Samford, you recognize the phrase "Samford bubble." For all you outsiders, it's a phrase we Samford kids use to describe the lifestyle we live -- closed off, one-sided and separated from reality. Some may even describe it as "rich, white kids all acting the same, living on one campus together in perfect harmony." I can't say I agree (or like) that definition, but it's definitely a thing.
About a week ago, I stepped out of my own "Samford bubble" because I decided I was done being trapped. I was done being isolated.
I got a job. Not necessarily a "cute" job, but a real, "big-girl" job where I have responsibilities and people yell at you when you don't do them. This was my way of stepping out of "the bubble." I would work with normal people, talk about normal things and have responsibilities. It would be awesome.
The first and second days of work were far from awesome. Did I manage to step out of the Samford bubble? Most definitely. Yet, what I came to realize is "the Samford bubble" was probably the best thing that had ever happened to me. I think it's fair to say that Samford, at times, isolates its students from diversity and real-world issues. What I have come to realize, however, is that the world outside my Samford bubble is dark and dirty. People hate quickly. There aren't always second chances or people you can trust.
Samford University challenged me. I am surrounded by students who love God and yearn to grow deeper in their relationship with Him. The people around me work on their character and know when they are wrong. They listen, are genuine, care and love more deeply than any group of people ever could. It's hard and frustrating because deep within me, I want so badly to go to school somewhere where people just don't care so much, but going to a university where it's normal and "cool" to be the best you can be has probably been the best college experience I could have ever asked for.
Stepping into a world where people don't view life the way I did was one of the hardest things I've had to do. One thing I know, however, is that the Samford bubble has made me better. Therefore, stepping into those dark places aren't so bad when you've had four years of God sculpting you into something radiant.
Is my school different? Yes. Is it extremely hard at times? Yes. Yet, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The Samford bubble has made me someone I'm proud to be and after four years, I know I'll be ready to give that real-world a piece of my Samford mind. Shine bright, listen closely and keep being you, my little Samford friends. The world may hate you one day, but I know for a fact that we can take them.
