More Than I Imagined

“Realizing that I wanted to become a teacher was a great surprise to me. I had never thought about it until sophomore year, but I now realize it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.”

“Four years ago, I had no intention of being a nurse but I am now very excited to start this next chapter.”

“I never expected to get to know professors so well, and it has made a huge difference in my college career.”

“Don't say ‘no’ to the opportunities that seem outside your comfort zone. These are the things that will stay with you after you leave your Augie home.”

“I never would have guessed I would be graduating with two majors and a minor, especially in fields I never really saw myself in. These past four years have allowed me to find my passion, and that is such a great feeling.”

“I used to be a shy and skeptical person, but now I have been able to make and maintain multiple relationships with those I never imagined I would have four years ago.”

“My professors have all been amazing mentors and helped me grow in the way I think about the world while also helping me recognize the capabilities I didn’t realize I had.”

“My Augie experience definitely would not have been the same without CORE.”

“One of the biggest things that I have learned is that I am very independent. Augustana has helped me to realize this by living off of campus and through studying abroad.”

“I will miss the close family aspect of Augustana, whether it is from faculty or classmates. There are also so many places to study or hang out with friends on campus.”

“I am surprised that I feel a sense of sadness when I think of graduating, but Augie has really become a home away from home.”

“Pushing myself academically, athletically and through the clubs I was involved in was what allowed me to achieve what I did here.”

“Through the amazing professors at Augustana, I discovered my love of genetics, and this love took me down a whole new path!”

“Don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

“I always thought I would stay in the Midwest for my whole life, but because of Augie, I have a chance to start a new adventure in a completely different and exciting area of the country.”

“Take a class that is outside your comfort zone and way outside of your intended major. You might just end up finding your passion and love for learning.”

“Stay open-minded and discover things for yourself, whether it’s about a professor, club, class, organization or classmate—you’ll never know what can happen.”

“Augustana has opened me up to all sorts of different philosophies, ideologies and viewpoints. I am now a much more confident and self-assured person.”

“My professors, advisors and bosses have helped me immensely by serving as passionate and enthusiastic role models for me as I found my niche at Augustana.”

“In the last couple of years, my teammates and I have helped to transform the culture of the tennis program to one of hard work and perseverance both on and off the court.”

“The peak experience had to be when we won General Excellence at ICPA because it really showed all of the hard work everyone at the Observer puts into the paper.”

“I am surprised by how much I have grown as a person. After meeting new people and traveling to Ecuador, I have realized that the relationships you build are the most powerful tool you can have.”

“I traveled the country and taught at the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica. This trip was one of the most moving experiences of my life and helped reinforce that teaching is the right career path for me.”

“I hope to be part of the JETs program and teach English in Japan for at least a year! After that I plan to teach first or second grade here in the States.”