My UWC experience was one of the biggest changes that I faced, bringing so much passion, adventure and incredible people into my life. I am originally from Hungary, a small Eastern-European country, and I lived there my whole life. But when I got the UWC Scholarship, I moved to Tanzania for two years, leaving home behind to find new homes. Leaving my country meant moving away from all the closed-off mindsets and judgement that I always felt, and the chance to explore new ideologies.
In the close community of UWC East Africa I finally got the space and freedom to further express my identity, and learn about myself. More importantly, through hearing the stories of others, I also got to learn about many other perspectives, cultures, and beliefs. The complexities of this journey were challenging at times, but I will be forever grateful for this change. I got to build my closest friendships, explore myself, and learn from the beautiful people that I was surrounded by for these two years.
To follow this sense of freedom and learning, I was looking for colleges that share these values and similarities. Lewis and Clark seemed like a great choice with it’s small size, close-knit community and emphasis on the values of inclusion and perspectives. Besides the great student experience and support, the surrounding nature of the West Coast also captured me. Ever since living Tanzania, I rediscovered how much living close to nature means to me. Looking for colleges I could not imagine myself closed off from nature, and the beautiful campus of Lewis and Clark and the Outdoor Trips made me excited.
About my academic interests: at Lewis and Clark I am planning to major in psychology, and to take classes of visual arts, and theatre. I would like to combine therapy with different kinds of arts, to explore gentle healing with movement, paint, and colors. Outside of the classroom, I prefer to spend my time with my friends – finding joy in the small moments, like going to hike, cooking meals together, going to dance or concerts. I also enjoy creating all kinds of art – finding the voices and passion of people around me the greatest beauty, and inspiration. Aside constant creation, and spending time in nature, I also find traveling important.
With friends or for volunteering projects, I have travelled to some countries in Europe, such as Italy, Sweden or Romania – usually backpacking wherever we go. Similarly, during my UWC years to escape academic stress, we spent a lot of weekends camping with my friends, and backpacked during breaks. It was important for me, that this way I not only explored the nature of Tanzania more, but understood the country better through getting to know it’s people.
I am incredibly grateful for all the experiences that I already had – in or outside of UWC – and I am coming to Lewis & Clark College with excitement and an open mind. Open to all the possibilities, new experiences and adventures of these four years, and excited for all the beautiful people that I am yet waiting to know.