Being a transfer student is hard anywhere, and the same applies at Gallaudet University. I came in New Student Orientation feeling like a lot of the material didn't apply to me or was old information. I had to start over from scratch in making acquaintances and friends. It paid off tremendously, and I am happy here at Gallaudet. I have great friends, am getting an education, and have gotten a wide variety of experiences.

I am a self-directed major in Kinesiological Sciences. A self-directed major is a course of study that students can choose if they find that their desired area of study is not offered. Students design their own major, modeled after a similar program that they can find elsewhere. I am taking classes from the Biology department, Psychology department, and Physical Education and Recreation department. Just today, I declared a double major in chemistry. Hurrah! I might also minor in psychology. This will give me greater flexibility in the graduate programs I can enroll in, and career choices.

So let me tell a little more about myself in general, the little, seemingly unimportant components that make up a human being. I love to play sports. For as long as I can remember, I haven't had a semester off from playing sports. This can definitely have its toll, but its especially fun here at Gallaudet where you have some of the world's top deaf athletes playing for the varsity teams. I play volleyball and basketball. My first year at Gallaudet, our team won the conference championships and flew to California for the first round NCAA's. That was an experience I'll never forget. Because I played a year of volleyball at RIT, next year will be my senior year, but my 3rd year of playing volleyball for Gallaudet. I'll miss it. I just completed my second year of basketball.

I'll give you guys a quick list of a few more things I've been able to do at Gallaudet, the opportunities I've been able to take.
I am a Student Ambassador - I work at the prospective student Open Houses. It's been a great experience meeting all kinds of new prospectives. I was part of the Student Body Government Election Week Committee just a few weeks ago. I'm also taking part in the German Studies Program this year, which involves flying to Germany for three weeks (we leave in just a couple of weeks). I also work as an English Tutor and Writing Advisor for Gallaudet's Tutorial and Instructional Programs. In addition to what I'm already doing, I am looking forward to the employment opportunities and activities I have lined up for this summer and next year. I'm going to work for the Bridge Program taking place this summer -- it's a program for about six weeks in the summer. I also plan to be a Resident Advisor for West Ballard next year. I am looking forward to what the future will bring.