By Reima Choute
This semester, I joined The Brooklyn College Vanguard as the Features Editor, as I have always had a passion for writing both creatively and professionally.
I transferred to BC in the spring of last year after initially deciding to leave the state for college to attend the University of Virginia. As someone who grew up in Brooklyn, I have always wanted to leave. This prompted me to seek that freedom and newness once I graduated high school. I was able to see a new state, study abroad for a semester, and travel throughout Europe. I quickly realized that I did not actually know what I wanted to do, and I did not feel like that campus was where I was meant to be.
I went on spring break, and shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, causing me to stay home and have time to think. While it was also a very stressful period filled with uncertainty all around the world, I felt comfortable in that uncertainty to figure out what it is that I really wanted in life. I took a semester off, and after all of this contemplating, I decided to transfer to BC. It was close to my home and it had a beautiful campus.
Since attending BC, I have felt like this was where I was meant to be all along. From my first communications class to joining my first club (Stuck in the Library), I felt like I was finally a part of something and that I somewhat knew what I wanted to do. I am so thankful for those opportunities to explore my creativity and contribute to the BC ecosystem. Being a features editor opened up so many doors for me and challenged me in ways I did not expect. Being in my final semester, things have been difficult, and at times, overwhelming, but The Vanguard kept me on track knowing that every week, there was a story to write and people waiting to read it.
I am extremely grateful for Serin and Kate for helping me find stories and accommodating to my busy schedule as a full-time student and full-time intern. They made me feel supported and let me know that I was not alone in this journey. The Vanguard is such an integral part of BC, and I hope to see it grow and prosper as there are many students who have a lot to say, and this is one of the best places to say it.
We can continue to make a difference and be the change that we want to see in the world through our words. Words are more powerful than we may think, and I hope that we all can continue to use our words to inspire one another and change the world.
Thank you, Vanguard, and thank you, Brooklyn College!