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
![Couples dancing](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/amy_hess_12.jpg?itok=IX2DGeKT)
On learning tango
“Nothing is as awkward as the first class of Argentine tango. Take two very nervous strangers, both aware of their mutual ignorance of dancing, make them stand chest-to-chest and hold each other, and...
Amy Hess ’12
![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
![Alumni lacrosse team photo](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/hank_willems_76.jpg?itok=iINCKCoY)
On road trips with lacrosse teammates
“As we were passing the Firestone tire factory, I remarked, “All I can smell is burning rubber.” A minute later a car passed, the driver gesturing frantically. Glancing around, we realized that our...
Hank Willems ’76
![Rebecca with a group of people in a city setting.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rebecca_klein_18.jpg?itok=c6EgZAso)
On reawakening an interest in accessibility
“As a Student Accessibility Advocate, my world at Oberlin expanded. I met new people just as interested in conversations about disability as I was, people whom I now consider some of my closest...
Rebecca Klein ’18
![Asishana intently studies an open textbook](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/asishana_osho_10.jpg?itok=WFAI8O7o)
On being pre-med
“Oberlin has a great reputation among graduate schools. According to one of my [medical school] interviewers, we are known for producing some of the ‘most talented, most versatile and most driven...
Asishana Osho ’10
![Lena stands under a rainbow](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lena_glickman_15.jpg?itok=yVpcz7I4)
On finding the lull in the storm
“I have learned the value of quiet... that taking a break from thinking so hard to just feel for a moment is what makes me happiest at Oberlin.”
Lena Glickman ’15
![People gather around an information table at an outdoor event](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jake_holtzman_16.jpg?itok=NSELCky8)
On exploration
“Although we are all at Oberlin to go to school first and foremost, I don’t see an Oberlin education as complete without at least exploring the other opportunities that are so readily at our...
Jake Holtzman ’16
![Sam swings a racquet.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sam_towne_12.jpg?itok=7zfkdFHm)
On being a member of the men’s tennis team
“When I look to the court next to me and see a teammate fighting hard, I am motivated to give it that extra ounce of effort. We are all striving to reach the same goal.”
Sam Towne ’12
![Two people sitting on the floor](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/caitlin_oneill_11.jpg?itok=7xPU7YMI)
On study abroad
“Even though there were days when I missed my family and friends so much that it hurt, days when I thought that another rainy day would drive me up the wall, I would not trade my experience for the...
Caitlin O'Neill ’11
![A mangled jeep and other debris by a beach.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/martha_tenney_83.jpg?itok=0CQYsQLX)
On the lasting effects of her time at Oberlin
“Years later I have a career in public health and the things I love are the things I loved that helped create the squiggly route to NOW. ”
Martha J. Tenney ’83
![Jonah plays alto sax at the Cat in the Cream coffeehouse](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jonah_berman_03.jpg?itok=k7P1Il5-)
On finding his place at Oberlin
“For me, the goal in truth was not to become the best saxophone player there ever was. It was to experience the incredible wealth of opportunities that Oberlin had to offer.”
Jonah Berman ’03