Dramatic lifestyle changes can be stressful and difficult. Many people at this school have left or are soon to leave friends, family and all the other familiarities of their stomping grounds for the boundless horizons of higher education. Here students get a glimpse at the lives of some alumni and the decisions they made to get where they are now.
Dravid Joseph:
An open spot at Dartmouth College landed Dravid Joseph in Hanover, NH. Joseph left Lawrence without a concrete goal in mind but is now studying biomedical engineering. He is currently taking courses in chemistry, computer science and environmental justice. Joseph often spends time with friends in Boston, a two and a half-hour drive from Hanover. He uses Skype to communicate with distant friends and family.
An open spot at Dartmouth College landed Dravid Joseph in Hanover, NH. Joseph left Lawrence without a concrete goal in mind but is now studying biomedical engineering. He is currently taking courses in chemistry, computer science and environmental justice. Joseph often spends time with friends in Boston, a two and a half-hour drive from Hanover. He uses Skype to communicate with distant friends and family.
Gelareh Semandi:
With engineers for parents, Gelareh Semandi showed an interest in engineering at a young age. Semandi headed to KU to major in chemical engineering and French. She takes more class hours per day than most and misses the free time she had before college.
“In college, you rarely get a chance to get together and relax, compared to when we were in high school where the workload was much lighter,” Semandi said.
With engineers for parents, Gelareh Semandi showed an interest in engineering at a young age. Semandi headed to KU to major in chemical engineering and French. She takes more class hours per day than most and misses the free time she had before college.
“In college, you rarely get a chance to get together and relax, compared to when we were in high school where the workload was much lighter,” Semandi said.
Katie Smith:
After a rocky transition to living in Boston, Katie Smith started studying biomedical engineering at Boston University. Even with the academics of college being difficult to get used to, Smith still gets to enjoy living on campus right next to Fenway Park. Through a first year student outreach program, she has made many new friends in Boston and often goes shopping and hiking in her free time.
After a rocky transition to living in Boston, Katie Smith started studying biomedical engineering at Boston University. Even with the academics of college being difficult to get used to, Smith still gets to enjoy living on campus right next to Fenway Park. Through a first year student outreach program, she has made many new friends in Boston and often goes shopping and hiking in her free time.
![After receiving advice from her students, orchestra director Judy Erpelding marks her music. Although the director normally makes the artistic decisions, Erpelding will often consult her students and hear their opinions on what sounds good and what they should try out. “[The students] are the heart of the program, not me,” Erpelding said. “I know they will carry that on and I will miss them. Making great music with them, being able to challenge them, taking their inspiration.”](https://www.fsfreepressonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Roust_Erpelding_5_11_23-600x900.jpg)
