My mother raised me to be a helper. She raised me to share all the blessings placed upon me and be the weight on the other side of the scale, tipping all of us toward a more peaceful and happy existence. Applying to colleges in America as a Ugandan international student was fun. Each application I worked through was an opportunity to imagine what experience I would have at each school— What I would study, where I would explore, who I would meet and mingle with, and ultimately, who I would become. I often fantasized about living the classic American sitcom college experience: fast-paced city life, bright lights, and a bustling campus in the heart of a metropolis. I first heard about Lycoming College from my cousin, who had played D3 soccer there a few years ago. It seemed like a safety option because it didn’t match the vision I had for myself — a small, quiet school in a small, quiet town. So it’s safe to say Lycoming was not at the top of my list. But because of the high cost of tuition for international students at most U.S. colleges, especially compared to the more reasonable (though still significant) cost at Lycoming, my mother quickly warmed up to the idea. Add to that my cousin’s enthusiastic endorsement, calling it a great place to “keep your head in your books with no distractions” (which I interpreted to mean it was boring), and my mother was fully on board. So I walked in with my head hanging low. But after a week or two, Lycoming college started to feel like home. I was met with a warm welcome — professors, staff, and students went out of their way to make me feel seen and valued. I felt understood as an international student on campus—alone in a foreign country, carrying the weight of all those who didn't have the same opportunities as me. The small class sizes, which I had once considered a drawback, turned out to be one of Lycoming’s greatest strengths. They allowed me to make personal connections with my professors, receive individual help when I needed it, and contribute meaningfully to class discussions. I was not just another face in a lecture hall; I was part of a learning community that cared about my growth. My combination of majors—sociology and business administration—gives me a strong foundation in understanding both societal patterns and professional organizational structures. Together, they prepare me to work effectively with nonprofit organizations, blending compassion with strategic thinking. I no longer see my education as something that will eventually help me make a difference; instead, I view it as a training ground for making a meaningful impact right now. The liberal arts curriculum at Lycoming has also helped me discover new passions, such as videography, music production, and creative storytelling. These creative outlets not only bring me joy but also give me tools to connect with others and amplify voices that are often overlooked. Before coming to Lycoming, I believed that living in a big city would automatically mean more opportunities to help more people and tackle bigger issues. What Lycoming has taught me is the value of starting smaller — of focusing on the people closest to you, of understanding their needs, and of working to make their lives better first. Lycoming may not have been the dream I imagined at first, but it has given me something better — the tools, relationships, and perspective to turn my desire to help others into meaningful action, starting with the community right in front of me.