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.
Add your story
![Two students wearing 'SITES' shirts sit in a circle with young children in a school classroom](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/leah_goldman_13.jpg?itok=UpQcFKje)
On teaching Spanish
“Teaching in SITES taught me to be patient, creative, and willing to make mistakes. But I became more confident as a teacher every day I saw my students become more confident in their learning.”
Leah Goldman ’13
![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
![Sam rides atop an improbably tall bicycle.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sam_quintal_06.jpg?itok=RUjFcwLJ)
Elizabeth Myers Houston on her housemate Sam
“...the picture of him in his fancy clothes on his cobbled-together bicycle struck me as a perfect summary of Oberlin: ingenuity, skillfully creative awesomeness, and musical excellence, all...
Sam Quintal ’06
![Rugby players run downfield. The one with the ball appears fearless.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/marne_litfin_07.jpg?itok=P-CWkRkC)
On her first day of practice with the women’s rugby team
“These were, I realized while I stood apart from them, the strongest and craziest women I had ever met. I had to be one of them. I didn’t know if I had it in me, but I couldn’t leave without trying.”
Marne Litfin ’07
![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
![Shawn gives a piggyback ride to a friend.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/shawn_roggenkamp_08.jpg?itok=2FmpW9iI)
On bonding over Boredom, a semi-improvised drama
“My other friends couldn’t believe that we had Saturday night rehearsals, but the cast would have all spent Saturday nights together regardless.”
Shawn Roggenkamp ’08
![Melissa with her graduating daughter.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/melissa_ballard.jpg?itok=6-cfKC2f)
On identifying with her students
“I know many of the students and some of their struggles, in part because their struggles were once my own... But I also know that as these graduates walked off that stage, they felt exultant.”
Melissa Ballard
![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
![Susan in the 1970s.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/susan_troy_76.jpg?itok=q9k_hHNH)
On opportunity
“I showed up at a meeting with a vague notion that I might want to work as an intern on Capitol Hill. What I hadn’t expected was that a professor I barely knew, Paul Dawson, would place me with an up...
Susan Troy ’76