Are you a student learning virtually this semester? How has the pandemic affected your academic experience? What have you discovered about yourself and your community during this time?
Students all over the country have entered college during one of the most challenging years of the decade. In this episode, Deborah takes the time to talk about her college experience thus far. She describes her relationship with the University of Pennsylvania as one of "love and hate" as she continues to see the effects of "Penntrification" and the lack of action towards the problems her university is creating in the city of Philadelphia. She also talks about how these issues have multiple layers to them and that solving them takes time. Deborah answers the question that she's been getting all semester long as a student in the city, "how's Penn?" and offers a candid glimpse of what her first semester has taught her. Along with a brief recap of how she chose Penn and what led her to her current major, Deborah goes all in with what's been happening in her new community.
If you have also been dealing with constant change, and are looking for an unfiltered reflection on attending college in a pandemic to guide you in the creation of your own, then this is the episode for you! Keep an eye out on Part 2 where Deborah dives into the "social scene," making friends virtually, and learning the true meaning of self-friendship.
Connect with Deborah Olatunji on Instagram ~ @deb_olatunji