“Happiness belongs to the self sufficient.” - Aristotle
First Year University Experience Interview with Sarah LeBlanc - May 18, 2017
Announcer: Welcome back to our program “Mornings In The Maritimes”. Today we will be talking with Sarah LeBlanc, who just finished her first year of an undergraduate degree at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick. She will be sharing her experiences of her first year, including the many ups and downs she faced. Thank you for joining us today Sarah.
Sarah: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Announcer: Let's start with what everyone is wondering, what was your first impression of the university?
Sarah: I had a terrific experience when I arrived, everyone was so kind and welcoming; willing to help me if I ever needed anything. It was odd living away from my home in Nova Scotia, especially without my parents for the first time. Although I really did enjoy the new freedom that came from being independent.
Announcer: Ah yes, I imagine that is a common experience for many. Tell us what undergraduate degree you are working towards.
Sarah: I am working on my Bachelor of Science degree, which will hopefully lead me to a Master’s degree program of some description, and then I hope to research in a lab setting.
Announcer: That's great to hear. What was the hardest part of your first year?
Sarah: I found that the hardest part was living away from home, as I needed to be completely self-sufficient. Through my years in high school, my parents did a lot for me, such as making my lunches for school, washing my clothes and cooking supper for me every day. When I got to university, I had to learn how to do everything by myself, including managing my finances and cleaning the bathroom. Being independent was the hardest part of university when I arrived, but now it is one of the greatest parts. It allows me to feel in control of my life, balancing school, work, and social life. I have learned a lot of fascinating information during the past year from my professors, but I think learning how to be independent was the most important thing I learned.
Announcer: No doubt that is a common problem for university students as independence doesn’t always come easy. Although, it sounds like you were able to pick up that skill proficiently. What was the best part of your experience, Sarah?
Sarah: I would have to say that meeting new people and having the freedom to do whatever I want to were my two favorite parts. I met tons of new people from all over the world, like my friend Valeria from Chile and Marek from Poland. They really broadened my cultural knowledge, through sharing their experiences. Additionally, I could do whatever I wanted to since my parents were not there to tell what I could and couldn’t do. The new-found independence was liberating for me as it allowed me to learn a lot about myself and grow even more content with my life. The people I met and the self-reliance that I developed were two aspects that really made my first year of university a superb experience.
Announcer: Interesting. Looks like we are out of time. Sarah, from the “Mornings In The Maritimes” crew, we really appreciate you stopping by for this interview and joining our broadcast.
Sarah: You’re welcome, it was wonderful to be here.
First Year University Experience Interview with Sarah LeBlanc - May 18, 2017
Announcer: Welcome back to our program “Mornings In The Maritimes”. Today we will be talking with Sarah LeBlanc, who just finished her first year of an undergraduate degree at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick. She will be sharing her experiences of her first year, including the many ups and downs she faced. Thank you for joining us today Sarah.
Sarah: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Announcer: Let's start with what everyone is wondering, what was your first impression of the university?
Sarah: I had a terrific experience when I arrived, everyone was so kind and welcoming; willing to help me if I ever needed anything. It was odd living away from my home in Nova Scotia, especially without my parents for the first time. Although I really did enjoy the new freedom that came from being independent.
Announcer: Ah yes, I imagine that is a common experience for many. Tell us what undergraduate degree you are working towards.
Sarah: I am working on my Bachelor of Science degree, which will hopefully lead me to a Master’s degree program of some description, and then I hope to research in a lab setting.
Announcer: That's great to hear. What was the hardest part of your first year?
Sarah: I found that the hardest part was living away from home, as I needed to be completely self-sufficient. Through my years in high school, my parents did a lot for me, such as making my lunches for school, washing my clothes and cooking supper for me every day. When I got to university, I had to learn how to do everything by myself, including managing my finances and cleaning the bathroom. Being independent was the hardest part of university when I arrived, but now it is one of the greatest parts. It allows me to feel in control of my life, balancing school, work, and social life. I have learned a lot of fascinating information during the past year from my professors, but I think learning how to be independent was the most important thing I learned.
Announcer: No doubt that is a common problem for university students as independence doesn’t always come easy. Although, it sounds like you were able to pick up that skill proficiently. What was the best part of your experience, Sarah?
Sarah: I would have to say that meeting new people and having the freedom to do whatever I want to were my two favorite parts. I met tons of new people from all over the world, like my friend Valeria from Chile and Marek from Poland. They really broadened my cultural knowledge, through sharing their experiences. Additionally, I could do whatever I wanted to since my parents were not there to tell what I could and couldn’t do. The new-found independence was liberating for me as it allowed me to learn a lot about myself and grow even more content with my life. The people I met and the self-reliance that I developed were two aspects that really made my first year of university a superb experience.
Announcer: Interesting. Looks like we are out of time. Sarah, from the “Mornings In The Maritimes” crew, we really appreciate you stopping by for this interview and joining our broadcast.
Sarah: You’re welcome, it was wonderful to be here.