Living And Learning In Montana

Transcript

Let’s get to it, y’all ready. We have Arwen on deck, Arwen is from Idaho, but she has deep roots in Montana and a special connection to the university. Arwen is studying Musical Theater and English Literature. And when she’s not in class, you’ll find her outdoors soaking up all the outdoor recreation Western Montana has to offer. Take it away Arwen.

– Thank you, Alex, and hello everyone, welcome to Montana. This is where my grandparents met, and I am happy to share my perspective on the University of Montana as a third generation student. I always knew that I wanted to be a performer and a writer. When I toured campus, I learned that UM offers creative challenges and intellectual opportunities, and a deeply connected community. At the school of theater and dance I performed in five theater productions, helped write musicals, tried my hand at opera, taken dance classes and perform my own choreography and got to learn from seasoned professionals. UM is also home to the Montana Repertory Theater, a professional touring company that offers hands on experiences for students. Here at UM, I’ve also had the chance to connect my interest in ecology with my major in literature, taking classes like eco-criticism and exploring the environmental humanities. Some of my poetry and photos were even published in UM’s literary magazine, The Oval. So if you wanna blend the arts and culture and outdoor recreation like this, Missoula is the place for you. We enjoy hiking, skiing, backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking. You can hike up Mount Sentinel to watch the sunset or drive just 10 minutes to Pattee Canyon or the Rattlesnake Recreation Area. There are tons of hot Springs in the area and huge swath of public lands. Or you can just walk down to the Clark Fork and enjoy an evening paddle or swim. The University of Montana has helped me make strides in my chosen field of study. And it’s helped me clarify the kind of person I want to be. I don’t have to choose between the arts and ecology or between a thriving city center and a connection to Western wilderness. It’s all here at my back door, literally. Back to you, Alex.

– Wow, Arwen, musical theater and kayaking, you really know how to make the best of your time here at the University of Montana. Thanks for showing us what it’s like being a student at UM, Arwen it sure seems like you found a special place here in Missoula, that was amazing.