The Introduction To College Of The Atlantic | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Introduction To College Of The Atlantic

A glimpse into our small community.

30
The Introduction To College Of The Atlantic
Kimberly Lopez Castellanos

The sun is shining, I'm back to bike riding, and the tourists are arriving.

I don't think many of you know where we are located, so let me give you an idea.

We are on an island, off the coast of Maine where most cellphone carriers lose service after crossing the bridge that connects us to the mainland. The campus is based in a town with about 5,000 year-round residents. The population skyrockets in the summer because this "village" survives off the tourist season.

The summer is a hustling, bustling village in which every day, two cruise ships anchor nearby. Getting onto Main St. is such a hassle. Going in to get a bagel at Morning Glory will inevitably turn into a 30-minute wait because the line goes out the front door.

Despite this rush, winters are pretty solitary. I can't complain about this year, but last year it snowed, non-stop, for 7 months. There are about 5 stores open during these months. In order to feel somewhat part of the outside world, one would have to drive to the next town, which is about 30 minutes away. Unfortunately, not many of us have one of those machines with four wheels that travel long distances without feeling exhausted.

We all study Human Ecology (spoiler alert: it's not only about science). The technical term is that we all study the relationship between humans and their surrounding environment, whether that's artists, biologists, humanitarians, anthropologists, economists, physicists, etc. Did I mention there are only 350 of us? And every trimester, a third of the student body is away, either studying abroad, doing their senior projects or fulfilling their internship requirements.

DON'T GET ME WRONG. This place is pretty amazing. We live in the middle of a National Park! My house is on a hill with a trail ... literally in my back yard. Our campus has a pier and a beach! There is an island you can walk to during low tide.

The education is pretty unconventional. The professors here always encourage us to apply the theoretical knowledge to something we are passionate about. The discussions in class are always so enriching that I can easily apply them to real world situations. The goal is not to have a high GPA, but to benefit the most from what the class has to offer.

There are a limited amount of schools in which you can call your professor by their first name, have some brunch and dogsit for them. The relationships between the students and the professors are what help me get through these classes. I am not just another seat filler in the classroom. They care about my academic and professional career and are willing to sit down with me for an hour to talk about anything!

So yes, sometimes I may appear to be out of the loop in pop culture. However, you will see that many of us try our very best to be updated with the current events through social media, news sites, and other online platforms. I think the reason many of us are writing here is to reach a wider audience and to be involved in such a big community. I, personally, hope to reconnect with the outside world by telling them about ours.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
college shirt

These individuals excel in their studies, fueled by both natural intelligence and hard work. From the ambitious Entrepreneur to the talented Theatre Person, each student on this list embodies a unique aspect of college life and showcases the diverse interests and passions found on campus.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree
History.com

Now that Halloween is over, it's time to focus on the Holiday Season. Don't get me wrong, I think Thanksgiving is great and can't wait for it, but nothing gives me greater joy than watching Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas, lighting peppermint scented candles, decking the halls, and baking gingerbread cookies. So while we approach the greatest time of the year, let's watch the 15 best Christmas movies of all time.

Keep Reading...Show less
6 Signs You Are An English Major

There are various stereotypes about college students, most of which revolve around the concept of your major. Unfortunately, we often let stereotypes precede our own judgments, and we take what information is immediately available to us rather than forming our own opinions after considerable reflection. If I got a dollar for every time my friends have made a joke about my major I could pay my tuition. One stereotype on campus is the sensitive, overly critical and rigid English major. Here are six telltale signs you are one of them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

27 Things 'The Office' Has Taught Us

"The Office" is a mockumentary based on everyday office life featuring love triangles, silly pranks and everything in between. It can get pretty crazy for just an average day at the office.

3056
the office
http://www.ssninsider.com/

When you were little, your parents probably told you television makes your brain rot so you wouldn't watch it for twelve straight hours. However, I feel we can learn some pretty valuable stuff from television shows. "The Office," while a comedy, has some pretty teachable moments thrown in there. You may not know how to react in a situation where a co-worker does something crazy (like put your office supplies in jello) but thanks to "The Office," now you'll have an idea how to behave ifsomething like that should happen.

Here are just a few of the things that religious Office watchers can expect to learn.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You’re A Pre-Med Student

Ah, pre-med: home of the dead at heart.

1831
Grey's Anatomy
TV Guide

Being pre-med is quite a journey. It’s not easy juggling school work, extracurricular activities, volunteering, shadowing, research, and MCAT prep all at the same time. Ever heard of “pain is temporary, but GPA is forever?” Pre-meds don’t just embody that motto; we live and breathe it. Here are 10 symptoms you’re down with the pre-med student syndrome.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments