Heather

My cross cultural experience:

I have not gone on a cross cultural through Eastern Mennonite University yet, but I plan on going on the Spain and Morocco cross cultural when I am a Junior – Fall of 2008. I am so excited to be able to travel to another country, since it means that I will be one step closer to my dream of traveling the world! I recently was accepted into the Spring 2008 Washington Community Scholars Center (WCSC for short) and am in the midst of beginning to figure out what Internship I would like to take part in and what classes I would like to take from various universities or colleges in the D.C. area. I am leaning towards an African American History class at Howard University but I still have not fully decided. I cannot wait to travel to Washington D.C. next spring where I will be living in a community of students while furthering my own personal goals of independence and travel.

My favorite campus activity:

My favorite campus activity has got to be Arter’s Anonymous. I’m a member of the troupe, but each time I perform or have practice with the group, I find that I’m constantly bowled over with laughter. I truly enjoy the two hours we spend a week practicing, and it’s a wonderful stress relief after doing so much homework!

My favorite class at EMU (and why):

I’ve really enjoyed Renaissance and Reformation with Mary Sprunger, because it is a class where the students can lead discussions. I find that I am learning a lot more this way, than in some of my lecture style classes, where everyone listens and takes notes, and the teacher talks….plus I really enjoy discussing issues and joking with the people in the class.

My favorite EMU memory so far:

Hmmm… well. I wish I could answer this one better, but it changes hourly. I’ve enjoyed a lot of what I have found here, whether in class, discussing touchy subjects like racism and homophobia, or on my hall spending a girls night in with friends watching movies. There was the first day of snow when everyone rushed outside and slid around and threw snowballs at each other. There was the time when my hall went to the charity shopping event at the mall together, and the time we all played outside in the rain. EMU so far has just been one opportunity after the other to create wonderful and laughable memories.

My favorite intramural season:

FLOOR HOCKEY!!! My hall and one of the guys hall’s in Elmwood combined forces and it was so much fun. I wasn’t so good, but it was a lot of good fun.

My favorite reason to get off campus:

I have thought further on this question and I now believe that some of the best reasons to get off campus are as follows:

To explore downtown Harrisonburg.
To travel to Washington D.C.
To shop at Four Seasons Mall
To see a movie with friends
To eat at Panera and then browse through Barnes and Noble on a Friday for girl’s night out
To explore the Shenandoah Valley either through hiking through George Washington National Forest or to just drive along Skyline Drive.

There are so many more reasons to get off campus, but I challenge you to find your own.

My favorite residence hall:

Maplewood, although Elmwood is fun too. It all depends on who’s on the hall, not what hall you live in.

The most surprising thing about EMU:

Although a Mennonite campus, other religions are not only tolerated, they’re embraced and respected as well. EMU is all about creating a supporting community so that everyone feels comfortable here. I hope you feel that when you get here!