Being in college journalism class has been the most exciting and rewarding experience of my life. From the first day, I knew this was going to be something other than what I was used to at high school. It was new, demanding, and more mature—but a good kind of mature. I’ve always been curious about writing and journalism, but this program gave me a chance to experience it firsthand and see what it’s all about. It gave me a glimpse of what college is about and a whole lot more about myself and what I enjoy. It’s something I never knew I had to do, and now I’m really grateful that I did.
One of the earliest things I noticed that truly amazed me was the politeness and supportive nature of the professors. They treat us as real students, not just high school students who just happen to drop by for a week. They are professional, but approachable, and take time to answer our questions, explain things thoroughly, and give us valuable advice. I never felt shy nor nervous in their classrooms. Their presentation kept me interested and made complex topics easier to understand. It’s obvious that they enjoy journalism, and their energy motivated me even further to attend. It was motivating to learn from people who are in the field and who understand what they’re teaching.
The actual lectures were far more practical than I expected. I had thought it would be mostly lectures and note-taking, but we actually got to have discussions, do hands-on writing exercises, and work on group projects. That made everything feel more concrete and applicable to the real world of journalism. Being able to express my opinions, get constructive feedback, and work with others helped me understand how to communicate more effectively. It was great to be working and accomplishing something that mattered. I liked attending class every day because I knew I was learning something new and loving it too.
This experience also made me think about my future more seriously. Before the program, college was in sight and a bit intimidating. But now, college is much more real and possible. Being here, being in a college classroom, and being taught by college professors allowed me to see that I can do this. I’ve gained more confidence in myself and in succeeding. This experience didn’t just teach me about journalism—it taught me that I can do the next thing in my education, and that’s something that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
And then there was the food! It might have been a small thing, but the campus food was really great. Whether lunch, a snack mid-day, or something to eat on the way to a class, everything was delicious and I never felt lethargic. Being able to have good food as an option just put that extra something extra into the experience. It made me feel comfortable, taken care of, and part of college life. All these little details added up to something really meaningful.
Overall, this program has truly been unforgettable. I’ve grown as a student, as a writer, and as a person.
Communicating Change 