Karen Blase
I transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington from Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) starting my sophomore year in the fall of 2008. I was so glad to see that they offered the Exercise Science program that ECSU did not. The location of UNCW is what completely sold me; right by the beach and close to downtown. It was the best of both worlds. When I came for a visit, everyone I met seemed to be very friendly and easy going. This quality is what I love most about this community. Everyone has a very laidback mentality which has rubbed off on me and decreased my stress over schoolwork.
Unfortunately on-campus housing was limited the year I transferred, and being from Connecticut, it was not very easy to head down to look at apartments and search for a roommate. However, I was fortunate enough that UNCW offers the Seahawk Perch where I was able to connect with other students, both transfers and current students, looking for roommates and/or a place to live off campus. I was able to find another girl in the same predicament that lived in North Carolina and knew of some decent apartment complexes within a mile of campus. It was necessary for me to find a place close to campus because I came down without a car. We were able to get a place on the edge of campus, which made riding my bike to class, Wagoner Dining Hall, and the Student Recreation Center an easy trip.
Coming to UNCW as an out-of-state student, I started the semester off knowing only a few people. However, I took full advantage of the Involvement Carnival at the beginning of the semester, where there were well over 100 different organizations to get involved in and a great way to meet new people. There was a club for just about anything you could think of, and if it was not offered then students have the option of creating their own student organization. From there I joined the UNCW Dance Company and was appointed treasurer soon after joining. I also joined the Invisible Children United Organization; I was so happy to join a cause with so many passionate people that want to help change the lives of the children in Uganda.
The professors that I have met so far in my major have really helped make my adjustment as a transfer student very easy. In the Department of Health and Applied Human Sciences, the professors really care about each and every one of their students’ futures and do as much as they can to help them succeed. I have been very pleased with the teachers and advisors as well. Though many of my classes are challenging, it is so refreshing and satisfying to have approachable professors who are willing to help out in any way possible.
After my first semester, I was invited to join Tau Sigma, an honor fraternity for transfer students, after earning the necessary grade point average. Joining Tau Sigma has helped me meet more people and has motivated me to continue to work hard in my studies. It has been a great way to help others who are going through the same predicaments I went through as a transfer student and to help them get accustomed to the Seahawk life.
