Experiential Learning

Transcript

As a liberal arts institution, Western offers over 100 areas of study, and students are encouraged to take classes from a variety of different disciplines. Though some of these programs couldn’t be more different from each other, they have one major thing in common, hands-on learning. Let’s talk with business and theater student Morgan about her Western experience so far. Take it away.

– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. The most important things on my list when looking for schools was a place I could call home, somewhere that I can grow as a person and a student, and a place that I can have a great college experience. Western checked all of those boxes. All of my classes have been very hands on, like my acting classes, where we act out different scenes every other week. There are also many other classes in the arts that are hands-on, like aesthetic lighting and film theory, where you learn different lighting techniques. The professor will even have students from other arts departments come in and model for the class. With Western being the size that it is, there are more opportunities for everybody to grow. In my short time at Western, I’ve become very involved with the Western Theatre Company, and I even decided to add a minor in theater. I’ve learned things from low-flying trapeze to working lights in the studio theater. Did you know that when a large group of people gather in a theater or an auditorium to watch a play or listen to an orchestra, all of their heartbeats sync up? Pretty cool, if you ask me. Western can bring you so many new and exciting opportunities, experiential education, a supportive community, and a ski resort down the road. Life is never boring in the Gunnison Valley. When I first began looking for a place to call home for the next four years, I never expected to find a place as wonderful as Western. I’ve learned so much about myself and who I wanna be as a person. Western has done such a great job on preparing me for my future. Alrighty, good talk. Thanks, Alex.

– Morgan, it sounds like you truly found your place here at Western. With the dozens of unique learning opportunities here, you get what you give, and there’s no limit to the quality and quantity of education you can receive, especially with the support of such enthusiastic, encouraging faculty. That was awesome.