By Brad Korten
With only a few weeks left in the semester, and therefore only a few weeks left of my undergraduate career, I begin to reflect back at my time here at AU. I think about all I went through and all I have done these past four years.
In the end, I only have one question to ask myself, a question that should be asked by all students when they get close to graduation: Was the experience all I wanted it to be?
I came to AU in the fall of 2009, excited to be in Washington, D.C. and at AU. During my time at AU, I had classes that enriched my understanding of my major, political science, as well as a vast variety of other fields I was interested in.
I took advantage of D.C. as my personal laboratory with internships on Capitol Hill and the Department of Defense, even getting active on campaigns in D.C. as well as exploring the city with its vast wealth of knowledge and history.
I got to study abroad for a semester in London at one of the world's greatest universities, University College of London.
I have met people I never thought I would met: high ranking politicians, diplomats of foreign nations, nationally recognized political activists and even a celebrity here and there.
I took part in several University organizations such as College Dems, South Asian Student Association, Phi Alpha Delta, and I joined Student Government as an undergraduate senator in my senior year.
Though during these past four years, I had dealt with many challenges. The transition to college was a rocky start for me. I had struggled with roommate issues, trying to keep up academically and finding my place here socially, to name a few.
I won't lie, I had plenty of bad days here where I felt truly alone. Originally I had thoughts of transferring out.
What kept me here were two things: the classes and experiences of being in D.C. are something I wouldn't have gotten from another school and, more importantly, the support I got from my friends. The people I have met here over the years who have stayed true to me have made my experiences here truly special. And as the years went on, I met new people, all unique in their own way, all of which who have enriched my AU experiences.
So, was college all I wanted it to be? I admit, I wish a few things were different. I wish I didn't have some struggles. I wish I found my social group sooner and maybe even had a relationship.
But in the end, when I or any student reflect they must look at the sum total of all they went through, the good and the bad. For me, college is about the experience you have, and mine was worth more than I could have imagined.
I want to leave this last thought to every student: make the most of your experiences, because your four years will go by pretty fast.
Brad Korten is a senior in the School of Public Affairs.
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