One of the aspects of Oberlin that makes it so unique (and drew me to apply in the first place) is Winter Term projects. Winter Term is a month-long mini-term that takes place between fall and spring semesters. It’s a chance for students to explore their interests outside of the traditional classroom setup; some students opt for internships or research opportunities, some focus on developing an artistic craft, and some choose to learn a new skill or language. For example, one of my friends is trying to learn how to crochet, while another is in Bordeaux practicing her French. One of the great things about Winter Term is that you can do it almost anywhere! Last year I went back home because the freshman-year-homesick-blues were hitting me a little hard, but for my second project I wanted to stay on campus at Oberlin and witness a real midwestern winter for myself. My Winter Term project this year was to work as a teacher’s assistant at Oberlin Elementary School. Because I’m considering a concentration in Education Studies, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to explore my interests and observe the school environment from within.
Despite my excitement about my project, there were a few things that made me a little nervous in terms of living on campus. I thought I’d share some of the things I was worried about and how they ended up working out after all.
Expectation: I would get tired of the food on campus.
During winter term, only one dining hall is open. Given that during the rest of the school year students have 4 or 5 dining options to choose from, I was a little hesitant to have to rely on Stevenson Dining Hall (Stevie) for all three meals. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with both the quality and variety of food served at Stevie. They’ve been trying out some new recipes during Winter Term and I think they’ve all been pretty well executed! I’ve enjoyed some crispy egg rolls, miso salmon bowls, and scalloped potatoes (my favorite). They even serve batches of hot chocolate at breakfast sometimes!
Expectation: I would have too much free time.
Because I wouldn’t have any classes to fill my time during Winter Term, I remember feeling a sense of dread at the thought of laying around my dorm room all day with nothing to do. Luckily for me, I think the balance of my Winter Term schedule works really well for me. I work at the elementary school for about 4 or 5 hours a day, and then head home to write about my experience in my journal, which is the second half of my project. No homework or final exams means I have the rest of the day to hang out with friends, visit the public library, or try some of the events planned by Oberlin’s Office of Winter Term. There are book clubs, trips to Cleveland, and snow-tubing adventures, all sponsored by the college, along with weekly free movies offered at the Apollo Theater throughout January.
Expectation: I would begin to dread the snowy weather.
This one hasn’t happened yet, though I suppose I’ve still got a while longer until spring. As someone who’s not used to the cold weather, waking up to a snow-filled Oberlin has yet to lose its magic. If you're traveling by foot, the snow and icy streets can be pretty annoying, but I personally think that the ability to make snow angels and initiate snowball fights with your friends makes it all worth it.
