I never took my education at Columbia for granted; I loved the challenge of my classes and appreciated my opportunity to the fullest extent. I loved my professors and the challenge of hard work. To tell you the truth I disliked the atmosphere of the university and the student body. I felt too many students were out of touch with reality or bad people. I can only describe my experience because the view of others might differ from mine. Honestly I could care less of what others experienced if I felt miserable at my time of attendance. I did not acclimate to my surroundings. As the years went by the problem got worse, influencing my decision to take time off of school. People can say you can block your surroundings, but I’m the type of person who doesn’t want to resort to that. My college years should be a good experience, not a grind and time of discomfort.

The idea of meeting different people was not the problem. I’ve been in Buenos Aires for six days and I’ve made more friends on this trip than my three years of attendance at Columbia. I’ve been in many different social circles throughout my life and never had this problem. Outside of my university I could converse with many different people. If I talked to people at Columbia, chances were that they worked or taught at Columbia. I could not relate to the actual students at all no matter how much I tried.

Truthfully I don’t know what it will be like to adjust to college life again. My problem could be worse if I return in the fall. Regardless of my outcome, I appreciate my education and the gratitude of the benefactors and Columbia University administrators. The rest can fall by the wayside.