A new year

Alas, Christmas is over and once again Centre students have left their families and friends to return for another term (and new year!) of learning. This time, however, there is a twist: it's January—and that means CentreTerm!

CentreTerm is a three-week term that takes place between the fall and spring terms. Consisting of only one course for three weeks, the program allows you to truly immerse yourself in a subject of your choosing.   Typically, CentreTerm is a time for students to take courses that are more exploratory or interest-geared, rather than major-oriented; many students take this opportunity to take courses that travel across the globe. I have friends that are exploring the world—from Puerto Rico to New York City, India to Washington D.C, and Germany to California. Centre students are out there, using our planet as their classroom. This term I'm staying on campus, taking a freshman seminar titled, "Storytelling". Taught by Daniel Stein, the class is an exploration of communicating through many differing types of languages—body language, purposeful movement, spoken, etc. My CentreTerm has been a wonderful experience—it's more academically intensive (you have one class that takes up the majority of the day, every day), but it also provides a lot of free time.

The cast of the spring musical "Little Shop of Horrors" has started rehearsals, and it's going wonderfully. I'd forgotten how much I missed acting in a production until the first bars of music started and my fellow actors and I began singing. I've been able to catch up with old friends and also make some great new ones. Because classes are so small (typically 15 people or less) it's really easy to get to know your classmates, many of whom I didn't know well (or at all) before the course started.

Over the past few weeks I've attended a vast array of social events: I've been introduced to the TV series "Lost" via viewing parties (and consequently formed an addiction), attended a henna party (sadly, my markings are VERY faint), and had dinner at my professor's home!

Despite an intriguing course and good mates, my favorite part of CentreTerm is the feeling that I'm actually a college student. Somehow, having fall term under my belt makes the entire experience seem more real and pertinent. I can't wait to see what the spring term brings!