Biking Trip

Photo taken by our trip leader Morgaine Jennings

On the Ferry heading to Plattsburgh NY

I consider myself to be an adventurous guy because I am always open to trying new things.  On Saturday October 29, Champlain College announced a biking trip to Plattsburgh, New York and there was a large group signed up. Those of us who didn’t have our own bikes rented bikes from the Skirack and Champlain College paid for us.  I was upset and disappointed at first because it didn’t let me to sign up online, saying “list was full”, but somehow they let me go. When our group leader said that I was good to go, it made happy and excited again. 

We left Champlain around 10 in the morning and went to Skirack to get our bikes and then we took the Ferry to the other side of Lake Champlain which was sunny and nice but chilly outside.  I had five bottles of water with me to drink in case I got dehydrated and we started biking right after we got off the boat.  Biking was a big challenge for me because I only learned to  bike in 2007 and since then I only biked once on the streets of New York in 2010. 

When we arrived to Plattsburgh New York on a Saturday around lunch time and our leader gave us only 1 hour to relax and to have lunch because we had to get the Ferry back to Vermont.  The roads were good but there were so many hills to climb and those long hills killed our legs. Since we didn’t want to miss the Ferry we had to bike fast because we had half an hour to catch Ferry.  We arrived to the place where we had to take the Ferry 15 minutes early  and everyone looked exhausted. We realized that we all biked about 35 miles that day and for me, as a new biker, it was like participating in a national bike race. I was proud, patted myself on the back and said that “YES! Assad you are actually an adventurous guy.”

Orientation

All new international students

You can see how happy I am showing the Champlain Lake

Pictures are taken by Anson

Saturday August the 20th in the afternoon I arrived at Champlain College where at first sight I found it home. I saw two wonderful girls who met me on first in my residence hall and kindly helped with my stuff to bring in and showed my room.  After I settled in my room I had a very good Q and A with the girl who is also an international student and I got to know more about Champlain and the curriculum's at Champlain College. I also met many Champlain staff members during orientation who helped me with all my concerns and made it easier to adjust to the campus prior to arrival of other freshman students. I've got a full bag all sorts of chocolates, candies and water but it was Ramadan. Ramadan is the month when we fast and don't eat or drink only during the day.  Sunday August 21 the international orientation began and  I got to know students from all over the world which later on some of them become my best friends.  We had two group leaders and they were so awesome because they were so helpful and they took us out for dinner. Monday was the day which President Dr. David F. Finney announced in front of more than three thousand students with their parents that now we become officially "College " students which made me be proud of myself.  I personally enjoyed the first week of college a lot and now I feel that I have the privilege to be here and feel that I should give back to the community.

Studying Abroad

Photo taken by: Anson

      Studying abroad is always a good experience for those who are able to travel and have the support of those around them.  International students who first travel to the United States always need help because everything is different from their home country and they always need more time to adjust to American culture. I understand what an international exchange student thinks and what is needed because I am one of them.  International exchange students like me who come from a totally different background are always eager to explore new things and learn about the different culture.

      I am one of the 37 fortunate international exchange students who came to the United States in 2008-2009 to study abroad. Coming from Afghanistan, I had so many worries such as: being away from my family, adjusting to food and American culture, financial support and my future. For the first time I arrived in the US, I lived in San Antonio, Texas for a week just to get familiar with American schooling and expectations of living with an American family.  One year of living with a wonderful American host family and going to a public school in Maine was my best experience. I had good food and I didn’t really feel that I was alone because everywhere I went people showed respect and supported me in everything. Finally I come to the point to decide staying in the United States to continue my education.  

      After two years of challenging work in a boarding school at The Putney School in Vermont and being away from my family I realized that now I am ready to face another four year of challenge in college.  Obviously in every one's high school senior year it is very hard to decide what college to apply and where to go but I believe I made the right decision to apply to Champlain College because I never wanted to go to a big University.  

Champlain College will be my home for the next few years and is the right size school for me.