my freshman year for Western Civilization with Dr. Loconte, I knew that the next four years were going to be hard. Not only did I realize that the curriculum would challenge me academically, but I would also be tested every day with the obstacles of living in New York City for the first time. Learning how to grocery shop for myself,
not knowing the difference between the 4/5 and the 2/3 subway lines, and even struggling to make friends in a very independent and self-absorbed city were all things that I was not prepared for.

However, being thrown into the unknown did not mean that I was doing it alone. Through the House system and because of the care from my professors, community was instantly built and patience was extended if I was late to class because I took the wrong train. I was graciously guided by upperclassmen who knew how it felt to suddenly become a tiny fish in a ginormous pond and would understand what I meant when I said I was sick of seeing so much concrete. Enduring the obstacles of the city alone can be a challenge, but adding a full class load as well as multiple jobs and running a student organization all while trying to network and stay in touch with family back home can often feel like too much to handle. What I have learned, however, is that the challenge is worth it because I have become a stronger leader, a more determined and dependable person and overall a better student, friend, and coworker.

In my time working for the Admissions Department at Kings, prospective students and parents always asked me what my favorite part about going to Kings was. While going to Broadway shows for fun on a Friday night and walking past the New York Stock Exchange to get to class everyday are high on my list, what sticks with me the most is the fact that I have been given a strong, God-fearing community to launch me into the real world and into my young adulthood. This extremely unique experience has also brought the closest relationships, a deeper
understanding for my need for God every single day, and also a leg up for my future career. Over nearly four years, the incredible people I have met and the connections I have made have not only enriched my life, but have also given me a head start on my career path. But most importantly, I have grown spiritually because I have had to make my faith my own more than ever before. Being thrown into a big city at just 18 years old, I had to make a conscious effort to root myself well in a city that can so easily engulf you, whether that was through a church
community, or seeking out deep conversations with my peers at school. I have become a better person and a better follower of God because of my experience at Kings and I could not be more grateful for these past few years here.