They say home is where the heart is and I believe I found my heart in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania at Westminster College.
What is home? In my definition home is where you feel the most love and comfort while being surrounded by your friends and family.
What is the difference between friends and family? To me, family is people who are there forever but friends are people who can come and go. In just one weekend at Westminster College, I felt like I was completely home. The people who were my friends instantly became my family. After the first semester, my whole family is still all here and much bigger than ever. Going through high school, I grew close to some people and away from others but there were few people who were considered family to me the way people are at Westminster.
Coming from the small town of Edinboro, Pennsylvania I was looking for a small college community also. Edinboro was a tight knit community and it seemed if one person knew something, everyone did. Whenever I went to the store or out in public there was no way I would return home without passing at least one person I know and this was something I always really loved.
My first visit to Westminster was in the beginning of my Junior year in High School. After this visit, I sort of swept it under the carpet and looked at places in hopes that they would fit me better because I was unsure if I wanted to be only an hour from home.
When I visited Westminster College a second time, I noticed my tour guide saying “Hello” to just about everyone they passed and this really stuck out to me. This is when I realized Westminster could be very similar to my hometown.
When narrowing down my choices I thought of the atmosphere of each of the schools I had visited. Westminster had something very unique about it. Every single person I saw had a smile on their face and not one person was mopping around, this may seem like an exaggeration but it really is not. After being here for one semester I have realized that this has to be one of the most positive places in the world. Of course, there are some Debbie downers but you will find that anywhere you go. I am naturally a very positive and very happy person so I really wanted to be surrounded by people who had a love for life as great as I did.
During freshman orientation, everyone kept going on and on about the “The Westminster Way”. Being the new kid, I tried acting like I knew exactly what they were talking about but deep down I was confused because through all my research I never read much about “The Westminster Way”. Now after my first semester is practically over what do I say “The Westminster Way” is? The Westminster way is saying “Hello!” to everyone you pass with a smile on your face, whether you know them or not. It is holding the door for people walking behind you and always offering an opening ear. The Westminster way is caring for other people as much as you care for yourself. Every single person at Westminster is family and family is where home is.
Besides being a nervous freshman in a social aspect, I was scared to death for college classes. I took Understanding the Bible, with Dr. Na and any upperclassman that knew I had him would laugh and say “he is so hard good luck!!” Just my luck, I had him for two of my courses. Looking back now, I would not have picked a different professor. Although I did at times feel like a fish trying to breathe air, he was always there to help when I needed him. He was truly like family to me, along with all my other professors. The student to professor ratio has made me so comfortable and I am so thankful for that.
So where is my home?
Home is the wondering confused around the hallways of Hoyt. Home is Titan Club, Duff, and the Tub. Home is studying in the library until 1 am. Home is sitting on the big rock near Lake Brittain. Home is Burry Stadium on a chilly Saturday, huddled together with all your closest ‘family’. Home is knowing everyone on campus by their first name. Home is staying up until 5 am, sitting in the hall of your dorm, cramming to get your research paper perfect. Home is where your family is, home is Westminster.
