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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![Qian extends her palms as if she's holding the sun.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/qian_cheng_13.jpg?itok=z5IZZKP9)
On finding her path
“Oberlin opens up so many opportunities and challenges for students to explore life choices that even if you have absolutely no idea what you are heading for... you will always somehow find your...
Qian Cheng ’13
![Yolanda at graduation.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/yolanda_walker_09.jpg?itok=S-a96tjJ)
On succeeding through adversity
“Oberlin takes those with ambition and provides them with a world of opportunities. I entered Oberlin as a housekeeper and graduated four years later with a degree in economics.”
Yolanda Walker ’09
![Students with President Krislov show off creates full of lightbullbs](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/kristin_braziunas_08.jpg?itok=VmfFqcDS)
On coordinating the Light Bulb Brigade
“Ten months, 10,000 light bulbs, and one bachelor’s degree later... this is something that for me has come to define Oberlin.”
Kristin Braziunas ’08
![Field hockey players gather during a break in the action](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/emily_whitaker_12.jpg?itok=LToR9-SS)
On the last field hockey game of the season
“All at once, the reality of my situation hit me hard. In one hundred and eighty seconds my first varsity field hockey season would be over, and I found myself unprepared...I had never felt more part...
Emily Whitaker ’12
![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
![Rose and a friend have fun carving a pumpkin.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rose_guardino_17.jpg?itok=yELY7Wmd)
On the real breakfast club
“Our crew is composed of varsity athletes, artists, intramural people, scholars, and scientists...We recognize that everyone has something to offer and deserves to be heard.”
Rose Guardino ’17
![Luke strikes a pose](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/luke_herrine_10.jpg?itok=3fwX9TOZ)
On being part of a team
“I heard a knock on my door. I opened it to find every single Horsecow who had come out to practice that day staring back at me. The Flying Horsecows [make] everybody love to play Ultimate, even when...
Luke Herrine ’10
![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
![Dressed in a suit, Ashwin pets a dog](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/ashwin_kambhampati_14.jpg?itok=xKXnL_n_)
On answering the “What’s your major?” question
“I am an economics and mathematics major. I feel, though, that I am an Oberlin major; the liberal arts approach helping me discover the subjectivities involved with looking at the world though...
Ashwin Kambhampati ’14
![Sarah prepares a lesson plan.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sarah_fries_12.jpg?itok=Pqv44149)
On teaching the Planet Earth ExCo
“Most students at Oberlin are conscious of environmental pollution and the rapid depletion of resources. I wanted to tap into that awareness and help it manifest.”
Sarah Fries ’12
![Maya reads sheet music while practicing on steel drums.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/maya_zeemont_16.jpg?itok=fmbHO7BT)
On finding a musical community
“The music, the dancing, the performers--all components of the show emanated pure joy. I hadn’t overlooked, however, that OSteel was quite advanced musically, so it never even crossed my mind that I...
Maya Zeemont ’16
![Knee deep in water, Jake studies the surrounding plants and makes notes on a clipboard](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jake_grossman_08.jpg?itok=quDWE388)
On becoming a scientist
“Oberlin taught me to view the natural world with wonder and curiosity, and gave me the tools to pursue that curiosity in a systematic way. This isn’t to say that Oberlin turned me into a data-loving...
Jake Grossman ’08