Oberlin Stories Project
We have collected hundreds of personal narratives from students, alumni, faculty, and staff that explain the merits and strengths of Oberlin through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand.
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![Group of 5 women in a classroom](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/assiatou_diallo_08.jpg?itok=MOHV2802)
On the interdisciplinary nature of her Oberlin experience
“I love learning, and my own life sits at so many intersections. At Oberlin, I felt at home with my peers who were passionate about using their academic studies for social change.”
Assiatou B. Diallo ’08
![Mathilda receives hugs and smiles from young children in an elementary school classroom.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/mathilda_mcgee-tubb_07.jpg?itok=hMRPPCua)
On education at Oberlin
“If allowing oneself to get to this point of utter submission to the universe of knowledge isn’t fearless, then I don’t know what is.”
Mathilda McGee-Tubb ’07
![Two electric guitarists play with enthusiasm](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jamie_helmsworth_13.jpg?itok=pidNLG0D)
On starting a band at Oberlin
“The music scene is merely a symptom of an infectious enthusiasm that pervades Oberlin’s student body. The zeal with which students here plunge themselves into their personal pursuits is unparalleled...
Jamie Helmsworth ’13
![Sierra holds up a kitten, which paws at her glasses.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sierra_zuber_11.jpg?itok=oPgRbuYz)
On combining love and science
“When I was starting work on my honors biology research with crayfish...I realized how many questions had been right in front of me at Ginko [Gallery] all the time.”
Sierra Zuber ’11
![A house with solar panels is reflected in water](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/carl_mcdaniel_64.jpg?itok=ye0-njRp)
On his climate-neutral home in Oberlin
“For almost three decades we imagined building a passive solar house ... After a very intense two years, we moved into Trail Magic, our home among kindred spirits dedicated to creating a more durable...
Carl McDaniel ’64
![Mike appears to fly while diving for a Frisbee.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/mike_dirda_09.jpg?itok=nNHE8SWO)
On the men’s Ultimate Frisbee team’s year-round outdoor practices
“The cold tests our mettle, and when a seemingly endless winter finally departs, we know that we’re tougher and harder than any of our opponents.”
Mike Dirda ’09
![Jonathan leans on a small structure in a yard where his laundry is drying](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jonathan_pincus_83.jpg?itok=7Levv2oC)
On the shock of arriving in Indonesia
“I managed to get to the Menteng Hotel, where I witnessed an oversized rat execute a bellyflop into the hotel pool. That night I wondered if I had made a huge mistake. I hadn’t.”
Jonathan Pincus ’83
![Tanya holds up her 1990s-era Oberlin ID card.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/tanya_rosen-jones_97.jpg?itok=LC_KcpbZ)
On her Oberlin experience
“At Oberlin... I could design my own path. And I did just that, becoming more brave and adaptable with each new adventure. Being a student here makes you acutely aware of your own unlimited potential...
Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97
![Group of choral singers](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/claire_coleman_17.jpg?itok=JyhC7ET0)
On the common language of music
“In trying to redefine myself in a new place and establish my new identity as an Oberlin student, I soon realized that what had once made me stand out instead now connected me to everyone around me.”
Claire Coleman ’17
![Niels stands on his head, twisting his legs in a pose.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/niels_bantilan_09.jpg?itok=gUsNvbSf)
On discovering hip-hip culture at Oberlin
“As I accumulated more knowledge about the music, art, and history of hip-hop through my independent research, I started to think outside the dance.”
Niels Bantilan ’09
![3 friends at a scenic overlook](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/david_lowe_11.jpg?itok=BibGjUYp)
On living a multifaceted life
“I am a double major in law & society and sociology; I play varsity men’s soccer; I am heavily committed to acting; I produce music and DJ on a regular basis. Only in a place like Oberlin.”
David Lowe ’11
![Prof. Schiff meets with a student.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/prof_ben_schiff.jpg?itok=qWEJOZdb)
On requiring students to write memos
“For many students, writing short is harder than writing long - but I believe it to be a valuable skill to add to the arsenal of writing styles that we promote here at Oberlin.”
Prof. Ben Schiff