Maria Judith Soria Diaz Class of 2010 - Spain

Honestly, I did not know a whole lot about W&L before I arrived on campus; I did not know if I was going to like it or if it was going to be the best match for me. However, there were few factors that motivated me to travel all the way from Spain to Lexington. First, W&L's Journalism and Mass Communications program was both prestigious and challenging. The program offers different sequences (Journalism, Business Journalism and Mass Communications) and has passionate and dedicated faculty. Secondly, the staff at the Center for International Education (CIE) and the Financial Aid Office were helpful and generous, easing my transition and understanding of the new environment. Thirdly, the campus is gorgeous! I felt in love the first time I saw it and have been in love with it ever since. I know that years from now, the sight of Lee Chapel during the fall surrounded by red-leaved trees will be one of my most cherished memories of the time at W&L.

Nevertheless, it was not until I arrived on campus that I discovered how good of a match W&L was for me. The small sized classes and the wide range of majors/minors allowed me to explore other fields, such as East Asian Languages and Women and Gender Studies. The CIE's exchange programs also provided me the opportunity of spending three months in Japan, broadening my understanding of Japanese language and culture. Moreover, W&L's dedication and commitment to volunteering offers many great chances to give back to the surrounding community and to get involved with other programs. During my sophomore year I volunteered for a week in Houston, helping out in a high school for kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In simpler words, my experiences at W&L have helped me grow and expand my horizons, encouraging me to imagine and pursue new goals.