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 18 students.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rocio_leon_13.jpg?itok=01fKKbDA)
On being a Bonner Scholar
“Even though I am naturally shy and quiet, all the laughs, cheesy moments, and of course, all the Bonner Love... made me more comfortable to be myself and increased my confidence.”
Rocio Leon ’13
![A hand-drawn sign, Welcome to SEED House, Student Experiment in Ecological Design, established Fall 2007](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lucas_brown_09.jpg?itok=X8DpaZkQ)
On SEED house
“Oberlin’s support network made our successes possible. SEED demanded skills like composting, caulking, persuading, public speaking, and econometric analysis, and for each skill we required, we found...
Lucas Brown ’09
![Two friends in Russian-style fur hats](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/gwen_krosnick_09.jpg?itok=xOImzYtD)
On learning Russian during Winter Term
“Sharing, with two of my best friends, those moments of joy and frustration, hilarity and utter confusion - it is something I could never have dreamed of anywhere but Oberlin, something I will...
Gwen Krosnick ’08
![Ashley stands by a lake surrounded by mountains](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/ashley_docherty_13.jpg?itok=j-WhBdTX)
On discovering intramural sports at Oberlin
“At Oberlin, I expected to just exercise my mind; playing intramural basketball gave me a chance to get moving and be a part of a team.”
Ashley Docherty ’13
![Sarah plays with a Ghanaian child.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sarah_frank_09.jpg?itok=GKdlYJ9B)
On her semester in Ghana
“Sankofa means “return to your roots.” Sankofa is an important concept, because in order to grow, you cannot always move forward. You must go backwards, and go home, in order to make the distance...
Sarah Frank ’09
![Soccer players on the sidelines. One wears a short with number 86 and the name Der Soul Stealer.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/max_hovey_13.jpg?itok=H3yOba4t)
On the universal language on soccer
“Intramural soccer has given me a new knowledge base... I’d be lying if I said that my current appreciation for soccer hadn’t solidified my choice of pursuing Hispanic studies at Oberlin.”
Max Hovey ’13
![Jacob hugs a young panda](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jacob_myers_12.jpg?itok=MNJdRPBe)
On Oberlin’s life preparations
“Oberlin’s crash course in cultural understanding gave me open eyes, open ears, and an open heart, and at the end of the year, that’s what helped me learn the most from my own experience.”
Jacob Myers ’12
![Brianna at Stonehenge](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/brianna_murray_18.jpg?itok=JmdHbA3g)
On the Music in London winter term project
“During this three week trip, I was able to experience life outside the United States for the first time as well as immerse myself in the musical culture of a vibrant city.”
Brianna Murray ’18
![People looking through a rack of clothes.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/stacia_thompson_11.jpg?itok=L0Wq8syS)
On the Big Swap
“We are sustainability royalty for the week. Who else would skate home wrapped in a down comforter and carrying green alligator pillows under their arms all in the name of re-use and resource...
Stacia Thompson ’11
![An outdoor stand with many cards of earrings on a board.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/monica_greene_07.jpg?itok=4_GyNoXz)
On starting a non-profit while still at Oberlin
“The Heart Project was intended to be a small jewelry sale, but developed into something much bigger than we ever imagined.”
Monica Greene ’07
![A group of students posing in a gym (wearing street clothes)](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/joelle_lingat_15.jpg?itok=R64_Yezd)
On discovering the Filipin@ community
“FASA made me embrace my endless need to be different. We’re all just a group of kids trying to figure out how we each can be extraordinary in this very complex world.”
Joelle Lingat ’15
![Christopher at a table with letter stencils, papers, and markers](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/christopher_gollmar_10.jpg?itok=gBpcUtJ9)
On teaching experimental typography
“It’s esoteric, I guess, this interest of mine, but Oberlin is the kind of place where esoteric interests tend to flourish.”
Christopher Gollmar ’10