From dorm life to house life: A transition underway
As I walked across my college campus nearly four weeks ago, I found myself in a moment of deep, rather existential doubt. With a graduation ceremony looming on the horizon, I had reached a point of transition. In my periods of reflection, I wished to find those signs of significance and golden nuggets of meaning. College could be condensed down to a series of moments – One day in seminar, I decided that my wallflower days should end and I started speaking up. On a Friday afternoon, I looked at my chemistry midterm and decided the future of medicine should lie in someone else’s hands. While abroad in Hong Kong, I cried because I missed Wellesley so much. Finally, as I walked across the stage and received my diploma, I was apprehensive and terrified. Am I really ready for this? I barely know how to budget my spending, let alone choose a 401K or health insurance plan. What is a FSA account? Knowing how to calculate a triple integral isn’t going to help me here.
One moment from college, however, has helped me immensely in my transition. I am particularly grateful for the afternoon that led me to apply for residency at Beacon Hill Friends House. I attended a lecture where the professor, a radical economist, emphasized the benefits of living in intentional communities. She talked about her own experience at Cornerstone Cohousing, sharing stories about communal meals and activity nights. I visited her apartment and walked away with a new goal: I wanted to surround myself with those who could help me ride the waves in life. Therefore, while my friends talked about renting studios and buying furniture, I started to research co-op living. BHFH seemed like a perfect
fit and I am so grateful for the opportunity to live here.
Even though I’ve only been at BHFH for a few weeks, this place already feels like home. I have been blown away by the kindness, generosity, and spirit of its residents. When I moved into the house, several residents helped out and welcomed my family into the community with open arms. When I had trouble sleeping in my double room, a resident sacrificed his single and switched places with me. Moreover, living in this house is incredibly fun. I’ve had a chance to explore Boston, sailing on the Charles River and finding some good eats downtown. The BHFH network of alumni and Friends is fascinating, and I’ve enjoyed meeting new people everyday at dinner or around the house. Many housies already serve as my role models, and I am inspired by this intellectually stimulating environment.
While I’ve mourned the end of my college career these past few weeks, each moment of sadness and doubt has been coupled with excitement about the adventures to come. BHFH has made my journey into the “real world” a whole lot easier and I look forward to growing within this community.
