Emily Larabee

What’s your favorite class? How has it expanded your knowledge?

So far, my favorite class has been Contemporary International Fiction with Professor Rishona Zimring. It was the perfect blend of reading for pleasure while also honing in on my critical-thinking and argumentative writing skills. I really appreciated how engaged and passionate my classmates were in our discussions—class would fly by as they pushed me to think about the material in new ways. Rishona is also a fantastic professor and really helped me articulate my ideas while analyzing my own thought process.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

As much as I loved growing up in Alaska, it could feel pretty isolating at times. I knew I wanted to live somewhere more urban. I also knew that I would learn best in an environment where I could form close relationships with my peers and professors. To me, Lewis & Clark offered the perfect blend of a community that is small enough to really feel supported while also having all the benefits of a metropolitan area. After I visited and saw the beautiful campus, its access to nature, and welcoming atmosphere first hand, I knew I could feel at home here.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

To me, the liberal arts means the ability to embrace my love of learning, rather than just studying to get a degree. Learning how to communicate your ideas well, think critically, solve problems, and make respectful and compelling arguments are skills that are crucial for life outside of the classroom. Having foundational knowledge across a wide range of subjects will allow me to come away from my college experience as a more well-rounded person.

Where do you find community on campus?

There are a ton of places where I find community on campus, but one that stands out is the Artemis Ultimate Frisbee team. I love getting to move my body, socialize, and channel my competitive spirit without having it be a huge time commitment. I had never played frisbee before, but I found Artemis and the ultimate community at large to be extremely welcoming. If you’re looking to have fun, exercise, and make new friends, I definitely recommend joining one of our club or intramural sports teams!

Which residence halls have you lived in? How would you describe the hall’s personality? What is/was the best thing about living on campus?

I’ve lived in Spruce, one of the halls in the Forest complex. It’s very quiet, but I actually really liked socializing at other places on campus and then having a chill place to come back to rest or do homework. Forest as a whole has a great mix of fun and studiousness—I can throw a frisbee with friends on the Pac-Man lawn or grab a coffee at The Co-op before studying at the tables next to the community garden.

If you have studied or will study overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience so far?

The fantastic Overseas and Off-Campus Programs office was a big factor in my choice to come to L&C. That being said, I am looking forward to traveling to either Chile or Spain my junior year to participate in one of the Spanish language-intensive programs for my Hispanic studies major.

Have you been involved with one of our symposia, as an organizer or participant? What was the experience like? How did the event complement your academic experience?

I love that the symposia are all student run, and as a participant I’ve really enjoyed attending various events or keynote speakers. It’s obvious that the student organizers put in a lot of hard work for our community.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

Try to go into things without expectations! High expectations can lead to disappointment and it’s hard to be enthusiastic with low expectations, but I’ve found if I just accept things as they come it’s a lot easier to stay in the moment.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?

There are so many awesome spots on campus that it’s really hard to choose! I love the big steps outside of J. R. Howard Hall because it’s central to the academic part of campus. Especially on sunny days, there are always lots of people doing homework, playing hacky sack or frisbee, or just hanging out.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

There are some really yummy restaurants in Portland with a bunch of options, especially at the many food carts here. I also really love the proximity to outdoor activities, particularly with Mount Hood being under an hour’s drive away! It offers beautiful hiking trails and skiing year round.

How has being in College Outdoors developed your leadership skills? How does being involved with College Outdoors complement your academic experience?

College Outdoors is set up to facilitate direct peer mentorship. As a trip leader, it’s been a really rewarding experience to both learn from others and share my knowledge with students who are passionate about the outdoors. The leadership trail is set up to be accessible to anyone, no prior experience necessary! College Outdoors trips are a great way to explore outdoor areas around Portland and meet new friends.