Olivia Alger \u201922 spent three years attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, 350 miles from home. When she graduated two years ago, she decided college could wait.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought some time off would make for a good adventure,\u201d says Alger, who studied creative writing at the academy.<\/p>\n
She moved home to Lake Bluff, a Chicago suburb, worked at a hotel for several months, then contacted an organization that sponsors young Americans\u2019 volunteer work abroad during gap years. She spent three months in the south of France teaching elementary school students and refugees.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lived with a nice lady in her apartment above a bakery, and I was constantly learning and experiencing new things,\u201d she says. \u201cI met people from around the world, and my horizons were expanded immensely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Upon returning home, she worked for an online literary magazine and began applying to colleges.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’d heard about Rochester from a lot of my friends at boarding school who were headed to the Eastman School of Music,\u201d she says. \u201cMy counselor also thought Rochester would be a place where I could dive deeply into what I\u2019m passionate about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once Alger applied and visited the River Campus, she knew this was the place for her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt very centered and comfortable, like the twisted detour I took had paid off,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Alger plans to major in English, with a creative writing track.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been passionate about writing since first grade,\u201d she says. \u201cOur teacher gave us an assignment, and I thought, \u2018This is kind of fun.\u2019 And by middle school, I was aware that this could be a profession. I love writing. I think all of us have unique stories.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alger feels her three years at the arts academy helped prepare her for college life.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiving with other people in an international environment, and learning how to share space, will really make this transition easier,\u201d she says. \u201cMy goal is to get to know my class really well, foster relationships, and be part of a community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alger\u2019s hobbies include long walks\u2014\u201ceven in the cold,\u201d she says\u2014and making playlists of music ranging from jazz and hip hop to reggae. She hopes to become involved in student government at the College and would love to join writing clubs, and perhaps the Campus Times<\/em> student newspaper.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot I want to explore,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m ready to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n Let the new chapter begin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n