squirrel: WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Pulling into the St. Anselm's driveway, any visitor will immediately notice how sheltered and secluded the school really is. The campus is a welcome relief from life in the city. In fact, the abbey seems so far removed from reality that it would be impossible to experience the real world as a student. Since my first day at St. Anselm's seven years ago, I have made it my mission to do just that.
All my life, I have felt that it is important to try new things whenever possible and accept them whenever necessary. To me, a life without exploration is a wasted life. In my future and career, I won't be satisfied until I am sure I have tried everything. After all, if you can't move out of your comfort zone, how can you possibly find your true calling?
Every time there is a new job to do, class to take, or decision to make, I try to look at it with an open mind. The phrase "try it, you might like it" applies especially to me. More importantly, I have always felt that I can give myself a more informed view of the world if I have experienced as much of it as possible; I have lived on two continents. I have taken courses outside of school in architecture, programming, photography, and cartooning, simply to broaden my horizons.
This is not to say that I feel as if the world I live in is too small, or that I am completely unsure of my own interests. Yes, I am part of a small, sheltered school community, but I feel I have always made the most of my surroundings. The community service program at St. Anselm's, for example, has made me realize that I am a stubborn social humanitarian. My two greatest loves, music and writing, have become important to me only through my willingness to learn and form my own opinions.
The ideal of open-minded living has defined my life, and will continue to do so. This is present most in my desires; I want to move far from home when I go to college. I want to join groups and clubs that I may not know anything about. I want to make surprising and unpredictable choices. In short, I want to grow through experience.