Student Journeys

Merel came to Iowa from California, then joined the cross country team, explored her new hometown, and worked at an NGO in Mexico, all within her first year. A political science major, Merel caucused in Iowa during the election season, then found ways to maintain Grinnell community during Covid.

Lex was focused on urban colleges until she visited Grinnell and fell in love. Since arriving, she has job-shadowed a lawyer in Miami, served as a community advisor (CA), changed her major, and much more. Next up: law school applications.

Coming from a small town in Minnesota, Maddie was struck by the diversity and passion within Grinnell’s student body. She joined the track team, found a job hosting events as a Class Ambassador, and worked with her on-campus mentors to identify her core values, do nutritional research, and prepare for a career in public health.

Claire applied Early Decision to Grinnell and has never looked back. She volunteers at a local animal shelter, worked for the former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during election season, secured a remote internship while spending a summer in Grinnell, studied abroad in Denmark, and prepared for a career in law by job-shadowing a Grinnell alum and attorney.

Catherine came to Grinnell excited about the small classes, the close relationships with faculty, and the powerful student voice. She quickly became involved in the community and with Grinnell Concerts. While working her way toward medical school, she has also immersed herself in the environment through ecology courses, and in language and culture through French courses.

Elizabeth explored her passion for music, language, synchronized swimming, and more during her journey that took her all around the midwestern United States and down through South America.

Cinthia took advantage of internships and service opportunities all over the U.S., explored Europe through the Global Learning Program, and prepared for a Ph.D. in sociology.

Boston, Boise, Costa Rica, Cuba, Copenhagen... these are just a few of the stops in Andrew's Grinnell journey. He also met several U.S. presidential candidates and appeared on national television.

Martha experienced Grinnell as the best of both worlds: a community-oriented college and a launching pad to the wider world — from a semester in Belgrade to course-embedded travel in Costa Rica, and even an #IowaSummer.

Ryuta, a computer science and economics major from Japan, mentored other international students, studied in Budapest, and conducted mentored research that resulted in an original video game — which you can play here!

Gil found Grinnell through QuestBridge, played on the soccer team, had a double major and concentration, and pursued internships, experiential learning, and volunteer opportunities in Chicago and Minneapolis. Next up: a master’s degree in management.

Conner sang a cappella at his professor’s wedding, conducted research (and performed!) with a professional theatre company in Taiwan, and explored the United Kingdom during an off-campus semester based in London. Next, he’s applying for a Fulbright and staging a virtual play!

Ahon’s passion for theater and care for community took him from Kolkata, India to Grinnell — and then to London, New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and more! Along the way, he studied Shakespeare, discovered the power of digital storytelling, and completed multiple mentored research projects.

Avery experienced Grinnell as a launching pad to explore her interests in physics, policy, and sustainable energy — on campus, at 13 national conferences, and across four continents!

Nicki, an economics and sociology major from Bolivia, found lifelong friends, hosted a radio show, and explored the Western U.S. with the Extreme Club. She also pursued her passion for global development through an internship in Ghana and studied abroad in four European countries!

Liv, an English and studio art major from Florida, found a band of sisters in the women’s basketball team. In true Grinnellian fashion, she combined her passions — in her case: athletics and art, through multimedia projects and a creative services internship with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky!

Evan studied local LGBTQ+ history, interned at a Seattle filmmakers’ collective, explored the prairies of Iowa, and discovered that they are, in fact, a cat person.

During his time at Grinnell, Seth lived in Farm House, played varsity baseball, and conducted marine biology research off the coast of New Zealand. Next, he’s headed to Alaska to work with the U.S. Forest Service!