Illustration by Anna Weimholt / The Olaf Messenger
I’m graduating this spring, and as I look back on my college experience, I think about what made me love this period of my life. The people and opportunities I’ve encountered are like no other. I’ve realized that putting myself out there and saying yes to unexpected opportunities has positively impacted me.
For me, much of my college experience was heightened by studying abroad. I studied at Trinity College Dublin in the fall semester of my junior year, and I loved it so much that I went on the Theater in London J-Term program this year. Each opportunity provided its own set of challenges, but they were both very rewarding. I was particularly nervous about studying abroad for a full semester. There weren’t many St. Olaf students on the program, I had never been to Ireland before, and I had never lived in a city center. Still, this experience taught me so much about myself, and I grew strength and confidence in ways I didn’t expect.
Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I know not everyone wants to or can study abroad, but there are other ways to put yourself out there. When I first wrote for The Olaf Messenger when I was a first-year, I would’ve never guessed that I would eventually become an Executive Editor. If you told me in high school that I would captain an intramural broomball team, I would’ve asked “What’s broomball?” Last year I was shocked to land an internship from the Minnesota Private Liberal Arts College Job Fair, an event that I had felt was a waste of my time.
No matter what year you are, accept the challenges you face. Say yes to the internship across the country, go on that date, host a KSTO radio show, or hang out with your roommates on a random weeknight. Embrace the little opportunities that come your way, and you’ll make some great memories with wonderful friends along the way.
Ainsley Francis is from Charlotte, N.C.
Her major is English.
