TIB Essay - EMU

I believe Eastern Michigan University is one of the best higher education institutions in Michigan. I transferred to EMU from Washtenaw Community College in 2007, and I found that both colleges reflect the positive qualities of the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti communities, as a whole. One of the greatest aspects of attending EMU is the diversity of the students and staff. Learning to communicate and interact with all different types of people has prepared me for life in ways that textbook reading could not. Even as a commuter, I feel like I belong at EMU and that I am part of a community. I would have liked the opportunity to live on campus, so that I could have participated in more events and activities. The students and staff do a great job of organizing opportunities for people to meet each other. Because the school is smaller, compared to Michigan’s other state universities, networking and building relationships, with professors and other students, is easier. Professors can give attention to individual students because of smaller class sizes, and students help each other out instead of stressing over cut-throat competition, like that which occurs at more expensive institutions.

At EMU, students can focus on learning what they want, without the pressure to have to be the best at something. For the most part, students here are self-motivated and hard-working. EMU students often balance work, school, family and life, and many have overcome personal hardships. EMU students are survivors and pioneers. We are at EMU because we want an education, and a lot of students make sacrifices in order to achieve that. It’s not easy, but that makes it seem more valuable at the end. Many of us will be the first people in our families to graduate from college, including myself. I believe that EMU is an ideal learning environment. The students and staff are friendly and welcoming, and learning really is the primary focus of all who are part of the community. I cherish my experiences at EMU and recommend the college to anyone who is looking for a place to find their own direction.