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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![A group of women dressed for an evening event](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/chelsea_de_souza_16.jpg?itok=UQ0bum2D)
On learning to choose
“Oberlin has helped me with something that I have struggled with my entire life — the strength to make choices and believe in them despite any regrets that might follow.”
Chelsea de Souza ’16
![Stewart plays an unusual, curled horn.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/stewart_edelstein_70.jpg?itok=9HrAUGsq)
On his education here
“Oberlin presented such a rich environment for multifaceted self-discovery that my college experience instilled in me the awareness that exploration in multiple and divergent directions is the path...
Stewart Edelstein ’70
![Two student cooks prepare vegetables in large quantities.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/natali_terreri_15.jpg?itok=UPdhMTgy)
On joining Old B as a new student
“While for my own sake I’d like to think my Old B community is special, I don’t think it is uncommon - this is ultimately what makes Oberlin so great. These communities are everywhere.”
Natali Terreri ’14
![Two women seated in a room with several windows](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/julia_maier_12.jpg?itok=n-Yrrx-K)
On Oberlin family history
“If I stare carefully at the ceiling of the turret and employ my imagination, I can see the mural mosaic that was painted while my father lived in the room.”
Julia Maier ’12
![Protesters holding a sign reading We March for Pablo Lopez Romero](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/cynthia_malasky_11.jpg?itok=Ve_nhxr-)
On working with IWP
“For two months, I have been in charge of the Oberlin region, working with two other student interns to teach English classes, serve as interpreters, and prepare for court cases for undocumented and...
Cynthia Malasky ’11
![Tyler Robinson](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/tyler_robinson_11.jpg?itok=1DkPCDaH)
On being selected as a Cole Scholar
“Across the board, students emerge from the program feeling academically invigorated, and many have a keener sense of personal identity. I am no exception.”
Tyler Robinson ’11
![Aaron before a winter landscape](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/aaron_kokotek_11.jpg?itok=9MTb-9lv)
On researching wolves in Minnesota
“We heard howls in the distance, howled in response, and heard the wolf pack reply to our call.”
Aaron Kokotek ’11
![Patty Stubel on stage.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/patty_stubel_09.jpg?itok=5dqBJJwl)
On playing Ottavia
“While it’s entertaining to talk about my grand expertise in lying on the floor, this experience truly did expand my abilities as a performer.”
Patty Stubel ’09
![A volleyball player jumps for a ball high above the net](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/elizabeth_wong_12.jpg?itok=TZzq403U)
On her first home volleyball game at Oberlin
“It had been my dream to play college volleyball since I can remember and as I stood star struck looking up at the flag, I could not help but smile and realize that I had done it. I was living the...
Elizabeth Wong ’12
![Five women attending a conference](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/amanda_medress_09.jpg?itok=PWgZnK2H)
On the Oberlin College Dialogue Center
“We handle conflict through a social justice lens, which means acknowledging that differences in power and privilege inherently affect human interaction.”
Amanda Medress ’09
![People with plates of food in a small wooden structure.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rachel_bouer_12.jpg?itok=nh3tttS7)
On building a community
“The lights of the Sukkah exceeded my expectations. A full belly and a fall scarf kept me warm as the lights around me glowed, showing off the work the co-op had done together the day before. Oberlin...
Rachel Bouer ’12
![Lauren is seated at a folding table covered with papers and books](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lauren_crawford_16.jpg?itok=-vwmk45m)
On teaching an ExCo on Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment
“I realized I needed to create a space where I could discuss many issues present in contemporary Christian theology with only my peers.”
Lauren Crawford ’16