Anna

My favorite class at EMU (and why):

Until I took classes at EMU, I didn’t realize how much I love history. So I changed my major! My Global Past II class is so great. I love learning world history.

My favorite campus activity:

I enjoy just hanging out with my friends. I never really had a group of friends in high school, but in college I do, and that makes everything fun, from eating in the cafeteria to watching a basketball game. We’ve crowded so many people around a table in the caf, and sometimes we’ve spent 3 hours there, doing goofy things like hitting each other with spoons or serious things like debating various subjects. I also enjoy going over to Oakwood and playing chess or just hanging out. I don’t have any brothers, so having guy friends is quite interesting. I love the girl friends I hang out with as well. They help me not to miss my sisters at home in Ohio so much!
I also really enjoyed the semi-formal. It included a catered meal that was nicer than my prom (for only $5!) and the dancing was a blast.

My favorite reason to get off campus:

I have lots of family in Harrisonburg, so sometimes I’ll spend the day or weekend at my grandparents. It’s been wonderful to get to know them better. I also babysit once a week, and it’s great to be around different ages, not to mention getting a little extra pocket money. Being in a house after spending all your time in a dorm is wonderful!

My favorite residence hall:

I live in Northlawn, but I enjoy spending my time in Oakwood or Maplewood. There is almost always something going on, like a random techno party, a chess game, or some frisbee. I like Northlawn because it’s not too loud and the Dining Hall is downstairs, but if I need a break and some social stimulation I head over to the woods.

My cross cultural experience:

My plan is to go, spring 2010, to Mexico and Guatemala with Don Clymer. His cross-cultural emphasizes Mayan history, and I’m a history lover. Also, it will be great to finally use my Spanish in a cross-cultural setting. And I can’t wait for the food! :-)

The most surprising thing about EMU:

If you’re not from a Mennonite community, even if you go to a Mennonite church, it’s a bit of a culture shock at first when you come to EMU. Brace yourself for the Mennonite culture! It’s nice to be around people who were raised similar to yourself, if you were raised Mennonite like I was. But there is plently of diversity- I’ve had 2 roommates and neither of them were Mennonite. The ratio is about 50/50 of Mennonites to non-Mennonites.