I’m originally from Waterville, Vermont, a town of about 600 people in the northern part of the state.  When I started my college search, I couldn’t imagine myself at a school with an urban campus. In fact, I refused to visit city schools.  I went to a college fair in the fall of my senior year, and I was hesitant to even stop at the Suffolk table as soon as I heard the words “urban campus.” However, there was something else that caught my eye. Suffolk has three campuses: one in Boston, one in Madrid, and one in Dakar. As an International Affairs major, I knew I wanted a school that would give me a global education and provide me with opportunities to travel and to learn about the world. I ended up applying to Suffolk because I was sure that it was a school that could provide me with these things. After visiting Suffolk, I realized that the urban campus wasn’t overwhelming, but it was actually exciting. I was incredibly surprised to find that I could actually picture myself going to school in downtown Boston. 

Once arriving at college, I found myself at home at Suffolk and in Boston. What’s so spectacular about this school is that is has a sense of community, even though it’s right downtown. Suffolk truly is the best of both worlds. In my freshman year my largest class had 18 students, and my smallest class had 4. I knew right away that I would get the individual attention I needed, while being able to take advantage of everything the city had to offer. My professors at Suffolk thus far have genuinely impressed me with their passion for teaching and for their subject material. They have also impressed me with their willingness to go above and beyond to get to know students and to cater to students needs. My professors know my name and what I’m interested in; they know me as a person, and as a student.

I have also really enjoyed getting involved at Suffolk. I took a course called SU101 in the fall of my freshman year which really helped me to realize all that Suffolk had to offer outside of the classroom. I became a tour guide my second semester, and by the time summer rolled around I loved Boston so much that I didn’t want to go home. I ended up working for the Office of Residence Life and as an Orientation Leader and living in a residence hall all summer. This fall, I am also working as a Teaching Assistant for SU101 in hopes of helping other students find their place at Suffolk as easily as I found mine.

I plan to study abroad in my junior year through a program called Interfuture, which allows students to conduct undergraduate research abroad, as opposed to attending class at a host university. I am so excited to be at Suffolk and to be in Boston, learning and exploring both every day.

Whether or not Suffolk is the school for you, good luck with your college search, and always remember to keep your options open. You might be surprised to find your home away from home to be.