Experiencing Civic Life

From changing the way I think to changing the way I see the world, Experiencing Civic Life at the University of Rochester had a significant impact on my life. The program challenged my perception of the world by teaching me about different philosophical ideas and political ideologies, as well as historical events that have influenced the world today. Being introduced to numerous philosophical and political topics such as human nature, utopianism, existentialism, and social welfare, I was forced to confront the black-and-white version of the world that I had in my head. Experiencing Civic Life taught me that the world is much more ambiguous than people think, and that people should keep an open mind when introduced to new ideas and perspectives. Now being a high-school graduate and currently traveling abroad from 2024-2025, I have been introduced to so many different cultures and ways of being around the world. This excitement to learn more about the world is something only ECL could have ignited in me. And for that, I am forever grateful.

I had to deal with many hardships growing up, but participating in Experiencing Civic Life helped me to realize that I could have a choice about my future. I could be part of a campus community instead of being restricted to the community I had known before. The immersion in learning at the college level showed me that my education did not have to be just preparation for a career; it could also broaden my understanding of what different ideologies mean for different people and my awareness of how we interact with the space around us. I might go to medical school or graduate school after I graduate, but I want to be equipped with a liberal arts perspective, which will be most beneficial to society. ECL has made a difference in another way: I had the chance to see people of color represented on the faculty and to recognize that they had overcome the same obstacles i I face. That applies as well to some of the student mentors, who were warm and personable. I will be a better citizen and a happier person because of ECL.

I knew before I attend Experiencing Civic Life that I wanted to pursue a liberal arts education, but the program made college a lot less intimidating by preparing me to speak to a professor, write on more open-ended topics than in high school, take notes, and balance studying and hanging out with friends. I liked thinking about the intellectual debates and conflicting ideas in our readings. I also had the opportunity to become a better citizen by understanding the complexities of “the good society.” In addition, the field trip to the Memorial Art Gallery, where I had never been before, inspired me to go there again with my mother. And I loved the communal aspect of dorm life!