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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![Phoebe shows off a broken piñata.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/phoebe_hammer_14.jpg?itok=tAqzBhZO)
On unexpected birthday surprises
“In that chord, I felt the warmth of belonging—my voice lost in the blend of others around me.”
Phoebe Hammer ’14
![Two people play beach volleyball.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/derrick_bean_09.jpg?itok=hHxzpmOH)
On the work-play balance at Oberlin
“I can study archeology, work out to pass the next fitness test, and rehearse my scene for Shakespeare class, all the while hanging out with people from all social circles with diverse interests.”
Derrick Bean ’09
![Two students with YB](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/kantara_souffrant_08.jpg?itok=uAf_61Xp)
On the Oberlin College Dialogue Center
“[we work] with the hopes of building an inclusive campus-climate and global community where individuals can interact with each other earnestly ... and live amongst each other with a sense of...
Kantara Souffrant ’08
![Fencing practice in full gear](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/alex_edwards_12.jpg?itok=bb6v6rGa)
On teaching the fencing ExCo
“I learned that teaching an ExCo is about more than just talking at the students and expecting them to learn - it’s about listening and attempting to modify each aspect of the class to fit the...
Alex Edwards ’12
![Raquel Farah-Robison](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/raquel_farah_robison_11.jpg?itok=9Y1fvvsb)
On working with the America Reads program
“Witnessing both of my students’ growth and finding creative ways to nourish their newly found enthusiasm gave me a deep sense of fulfillment.”
Raquel Farah-Robison ’11
![A group of friends with a shopping cart full of books](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/evan_cameron_15.jpg?itok=7AIl4mZK)
On being part of establishing SWAP, a book cooperative
“Several members of the class and I thought, “Wait a second. We’re doing all of this work to describe this co-op. Why don’t we make this idea a reality?””
Evan Cameron ’15
![Leanne with her daughter](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/leanne_wagner_76.jpg?itok=MKnd9j3H)
On progress toward gender equality
“Watching my daughter ... study with many more than one woman professor in the sciences, and not be constrained in her choices of what was to come after Oberlin, I realize that the Oberlin tradition...
Leanne Wagner ’76
![With a snowy mountaintop in the background, Andy stands at a wood post marked with Japanese writing](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/andy_bartholomew_07.jpg?itok=B6gILAhn)
On biking across Japan
“From March 15th to June 10th, I cycled from Kyushu to Nagano. Nearly every day I flash back to some moment of my trip to Japan. I’ll hop on my bike, or see a train, and I’ll remember my first day...
Andy Bartholomew ’07
![Sam Skove](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sam_skove_12.jpg?itok=inNYI8yg)
On being a member of the Sunshine Scouts
“I felt I was part of a kinetic community, rather than a hermetically sealed club. They did improv because they liked using their imaginations.”
Sam Skove ’12
![Hannah seated at an outdoor café](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/hannah_varadi_15.jpg?itok=YBa73xrA)
On a (failed) attempt at an individual major
“I now have a better grasp of how all my language-based interests—translation, journalism, and, yes, fiction writing—tie into comparative literature.”
Hannah Varadi ’15
![Choir performance.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/martha_cargo_06.jpg?itok=mt6wM795)
On singing with Collegium Musicum
“Monday and Wednesday afternoons, beginning promptly at 4:30 in Fairchild Chapel, were brief windows of respite from our otherwise whirlwind college lives.”
Martha Cargo ’07
![Avital by a sunny window](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/avital_isaacs_10.jpg?itok=Q-PcYWQ0)
On the spirit of Oberlin
“Oberlin draws the creative, the overstimulated, the passionate, and puts them together for four years to marinate.”
Avital Isaacs ’10