Oberlin Blogs

Charlize Villasenor ’23

Hello! My name’s Charlize and I’m from El Paso, Texas. (Shout out to all my fellow Obies from the desert!) I went from being a short drive to the US-Mexico border to being a short drive to the US-Canada border.

I’m an Economics major hoping to go to law school after I graduate. I am also the HIV Peer Testing coordinator, a facilitator for Barefoot Dialogues, and currently participate in La Alianza Latinx.

Outside of the classroom, I like drinking chai tea lattes at Azzy’s, seeing new things, and hanging out with friends. I’m a strong believer in the power of words so hopefully you can find something interesting or useful in my blogs!

Thank you for reading my blogs, and if you see me around, say hi!

A Letter to Pre-Oberlin Me

January 13, 2023

There will be countless days and nights that you’ll hold in your heart, maybe too many to fully remember, but I promise you’ll love the experience and you’ll grow exactly into who you need to be.

Healthcare in Oberlin

November 6, 2022

If you’re anything like high school me, you might be a chronic over-worrier.

All About My Summer Internship

October 11, 2022

If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts, I’m sure you know by now that I spent my summer interning at Citi.

Cheers to Spring Break

April 13, 2022

This past week was officially my first, and likely last, spring break as an Obie.

Summer Internships

March 14, 2022

The whole reason I went to Oberlin was to create new opportunities for myself.

First Spring

March 13, 2022

I think controlled chaos is the only way I can truly describe how this semester has gone so far.

Early Graduation? For MY Oberlin Degree? It's Likelier Than You Think

February 13, 2022

Although I love Oberlin and everything it has done for me, I’m excited that I’m getting closer to graduation and I’m ready for the next chapter of my life.

(Another) Obie Bucket List

January 30, 2022

Believe me when I say, you make fun wherever you are.

Junior Year Internships

January 30, 2022

The summer after junior year is an important time to network and get work experience through internships, but the application process starts months before.

Consciously Choosing a Community

January 17, 2022

As you go through the admissions process and select a college to attend, ask yourself: how can I be more conscious of the community I am entering?

New Year's Resolutions

January 15, 2022

I'm not typically one for resolutions, but this year I decided to change that.

Samba: It's More Than a Dance

January 13, 2022

A chance to learn about dance, and learn about yourself.

Student Org Series: Multi

December 2, 2021

Multi serves as an important identity-based organization on campus.

Internships & Life Thoughts

November 29, 2021

I can be thankful for where my drive has taken me while also realizing I deserve to be in the spaces I'm in.

I've Had a Job or Two (or a Few)

November 25, 2021

Many students at Oberlin have some kind of job either for spending money or to help out with cost of attendance.

Growing Up

November 13, 2021

Being in my slump (and ultimately getting out of it) helped me find my way back to my core beliefs.

Spooky Season in Oberlin

October 18, 2021

Oberlin students just love Halloween and spooky things in general.

Welcome Back Co-ops

October 10, 2021

When a group of people cooks, cleans, and eats together, it's pretty easy to make friends and get to know each other.

Student Org Series: HIV Peer Testers

September 29, 2021

HIV Peer Testers is a group created to increase the accessibility of HIV testing on campus by providing no-cost, peer-administered tests and related resources to students.

Connections at Oberlin

September 22, 2021

If I could sum it into a sentence, I'd say: everyone wants to see you succeed.

Solstice: The Event of the Year

August 5, 2021

Solstice was a great way to kick off the last month of the summer semester.

An Economics Major (Part 2)

August 3, 2021

The classes I've taken at Oberlin that aren't necessarily part of my major.

Call Me an Economics Major!

June 27, 2021

Major declaration day!

Student Org Series: SOSHA

June 22, 2021

The first in a series on student organizations on campus.

Greater-Oberlin Nature Spots

May 25, 2021

Even though Oberlin is about 30 minutes from Cleveland, it’s also surrounded by the beauty of nature!

A Spring Time Winter Term

May 7, 2021

I took the Sophomore Practicum this year and opted to match with an internship at RCA Records through the college.

A New Oberlin Packing List

April 28, 2021

I’ve decided to be slightly more intentional with the contents of my suitcase this semester.

Underrated Aspects of Oberlin

April 8, 2020

I love El Paso and will always miss home, but leaving Texas is one of the best decisions (if not the absolute best) that I’ve ever made.

Obies-In-Place

March 25, 2020

Hopefully you can implement some of these practices into your socially distanced life.

Obies in the Time of Coronavirus

March 19, 2020

In this time of crisis, Obies showed their true colors, and I’ve never felt prouder to be one!

Springing Into the Semester

February 6, 2020

I’m excited to take what I’ve learned from last semester and use it for the spring term.

When Fall Turns to Winter (Term)

December 5, 2019

The fall semester is finally wrapping up.

Dining in Oberlin

November 20, 2019

Community, convenience, variety—there are lots of options.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Prospie Season

November 15, 2019

Every few weekends, I see prospies walking with their hosts back to their dorms and I can’t help but feel excited for them.

Fall Break Thoughts

November 4, 2019

It was a bit of a weird feeling at first, to feel split between two places over 1,400 miles apart, but I’m grateful to have a community in both El Paso and Oberlin.

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