Ever since arriving at the College of Saint Rose’s College Experience program on August 2014, I have learned a lot during my 2-year stay in Albany. While at my dorm, I’ve learned how to cook my own meals (even though technically I’ve learned how to do it from my mom), keep different parts in the house clean (including my bedroom), and managing the time I have on my schedule. I’ve learned how to do a lot of things while on campus too, ranging from planning my own events to using the CDTA bus system.
I’ve also learned about internships, and have eventually gotten one at the Albany Marriott on Wolf Road & Beltrone Drive. I work a 3-hour morning shift every Tuesday and Thursday from 8–11am in the morning as a food prep worker. When work is done, I would eat lunch that the Marriott cooks prepare for all employees in the staff cafeteria, but it depends on if it’s something I like or not. If I don’t like it, I would head back to my dorm and make my own lunch.
Planning events was basically the easiest thing in the book that I’ve learned how to do, personally. During my freshman year, I would plan 2–3 events per semester, Super Bowl parties included. The Super Bowl party I planned last year for the game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks was epic, everyone who was invited to the party loved it. I’ve also planned trips to WWE events at the Times Union Center in downtown Albany, to watch both Raw and Smackdown live. My next trip to a WWE event is just 2 weeks from Saturday, to an NxT live event at Washington Avenue Armory. Anyway, I’ve learned how to plan vacations with my friends during the summer semester. My trip was to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I went there with 2 staff members and 2 of my college friends. We had a blast.
Overall, my stay at The College Experience program in Saint Rose was a real adventure. Right now, my goal is to do anything in my power to do well in this final semester so I could graduate this year, and get back home to my family.
What comes after graduation? Many College Experience students, in fact most, choose to remain in Albany. They maintain friendships with their fellow and former graduates, form romantic partnerships, and some get married.