An Experience to Forever Remember

It feels like just yesterday that we were hugging our parents goodbye and hopping into the shuttle bus. I still remember the butterflies fluttering in my stomach and the smile that never quite left my face. 

Departure Day

This experience has allowed me to grow in so many ways: it's changed the way I view people around me, has made me more responsible, and has altered the way I see my education. I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Never have I been immersed in a community of such intelligent, passionate, and friendly people. In my classroom, our desks were arranged so that we could see everyone's faces. To me, this is emblematic of our unity. Each of us had vastly different stories and we were all open to hearing what others had to offer; it was an environment welcoming of abstract creativity, of silliness, and of appreciating one another.  I was surrounded by literature nerds, people who love the same authors as I and can talk on end about canons of literature. Our stimulating discussions weren't dominated by one voice, instead we always contributed. VSA showed me what my high school classrooms can't even get close to. I'll never forgot the elated feeling I had every time I walked through my classroom doors. Thank you Novel Writing, for being so caring, entertaining, and insightful. I'll never forget you.

My wonderful class

In class, I learned to have confidence in my writing. Before, I never shared my work with anyone. I mentioned previously that I would attach the manuscript of my novel in one of my blogs, but I've decided that I don't want to be susceptible to plagiarism. If you'd like to read the manuscript for my novel send me an email at anatouriel@gmail.com and I'll gladly share it with you.  

I'm going to college because I want to learn and to me, education is liberation. VSA has given me a taste of the passion, engagement, and the challenges of a college classroom. I cannot wait for the day that I enter a college classroom and have that same elated feeling.

In Nashville, we were no longer living in the diverse and liberal bubble of the Bay Area. We made a few friends who had different political views than us, but instead of having an aggressive encounter, we had positive discourse. We respected the views of our friends and expected the same back. I was exposed for the first time to someone who thought differently than I and the experience was new and surprising. This world is full of people who've been raised differently, have had different opportunities, and operate under different principles, instead of resenting them, I've learned to respect them and speak diplomatically with them. I will carry this lesson with me throughout the rest of my life, because unfortunately the world isn't just like the Bay Area. 

The city of Nashville is very different from the Bay Area

Throughout this experience, I've made friendships that'll last a lifetime. I know this because we aren't across the country from one another but instead a 5-10 minute drive away. The first few days of the trip, Audrey, Hawi, Anna, Tori, and I spent most hours of the day together. We've laughed with one another, had personal conversations, and complained of missing the Bay Area weather. I wasn't expecting the Vanderbilt cohort to have such a strong bond, even to the point where at VSA we ate every meal with one another and spent freetime together. But, we hit the lottery with our cohort, every one of us is unique, bright, and fun.

I'm not sure what we're doing here.

I'll miss seeing Anna eating broccoli at most meals and laughing at vines. I'll miss hearing Hawi sing her "It's Dinner!" song every day and spending late nights playing cards. I'll miss hearing Audrey's random hilarious comments (who am I kidding, I see Audrey every day at school). I'll miss Tori's wise and supportive conversations and interesting stories. I'll miss our late night blogging parties in hotel rooms. I'm so sad that I won't see these wonderful ladies everyday, but already since we've been home, we've been texting one another and are planning to meet up. I can't wait to see what our friendships have in store. 

Great friends!

VSA has given me the opportunity to have a taste of independence. Living in a family of six, with protective parents means I don't get to spread my wings as much as I'd like. I had to ensure that I ate three meals a day, and by meals not 3 servings of macaroni and cheese and desserts, but instead a balance of vegetables, protein, and grains. I wasn't reminded to make my bed or do laundry, I had to do that on my own. I had to manage my time and balance socializing and academics. It was freedom and I loved it. Learning to be independent will help me throughout the entirety of my life. 

Thank you VSA!