Elizabeth Marin ’18
I was against the idea of applying to Dickinson College as I thought it was too close to home (about half an hour away). Slowly, I started to realize that Dickinson was kind of perfect for me. With its personal approach from classes to ordering an Italian at the Quarry, the feeling on campus is one of constant inclusion and visibility that—not to sound arrogant—makes me feel like a celebrity. When I got to school during my first year, I was overwhelmed by the kindness and openness of people who didn’t see me as “fresh meat” but as a new member of a close-knitted community. My reason for staying, of course, was the fact that I knew I could do great things here due to widespread support and amazing resources.
As a LALC (Latin American, Latino & Caribbean Studies) major, I often get that intimidating and daunting question: “What are you going to do with that major?” And with all honesty, I always answer, “There’s so much I can do with my major.” This is because I am more than getting a degree in something I love; I am learning valuable skills that can be applied across all fields of work. For example, I became a contributing writer for Hola Cultura, a new organization dedicated in preserving stories about Latino culture in the United States. Additionally, on campus, I am involved in a variety of diverse extracurricular from athletics to office work in the wonderful Office of Admissions. The interdisciplinary nature of my major and Dickinson allows me to explore all the different passions I hold and am continuously gathering. I have been able to take film classes, Portuguese, women and gender’s studies to all count towards my graduation requirements but also to create new angles to studying Latin America. Although Pennsylvania is quite a distance from Latin America, the department and related departments are full of professors who share my same passion for understanding and exploring this diverse region and its beautiful cultures and people. Even better, everyone at Dickinson understands the importance of taking what is learnt in the classroom and applying and experiencing it in the concrete world, which is why I am spending a semester in South America completely immersed in the language and cultures.
Throughout my years at Dickinson, my understanding of education has transformed due to my interactions inside and outside the classroom. In high school, I began to notice that learning was more than just test scores and in Dickinson this was proven. Naturally, I want to succeed in the classroom but this success in no longer just measured in grades. Rather, it is measured through readings, discussions, and in interactions. By studying something I love, I have pushed myself beyond expectations for undergraduates. For example, I was able to begin an Independent Study project with my advisor Marcelo Borges that focused on fitting my grandmother’s multiple diaries she left behind into a discussion of the experience of immigrant women and autobiography. As a sophomore, I have begun research that can be elaborated upon for the next two years of my college career and hopefully be published after graduation. This was all possible because education should be liberating. It should be more than fulfilling requirements; it should be about being able to have the freedom to challenge yourself to create something that is meaningful and captivating.
Thus far, I have been having an incredible experience at Dickinson. If you have any questions or think I’m an interesting person, please contact me at marine@dickinson.edu. I love pen pals and talking about what Dickinson can offer to your future.