Life in Holland

Sipping my comfort latte in LJs, I look out to the colors of green, orange, yellow, and red leaves against the white background of Pillar Church. College friends walk by while waving through the window. The barista greets customers by name as she clears tables of yellow mugs. Peering at the clock that always seems …

A Day in the Life of a Computer Science Student and Theater Actor

I woke up around 9 a.m. today, ready to tackle some homework. First on my list was working on my computer science labs, which are due on Monday. I wanted to get them out of the way so I could focus on other assignments. I like to finish as much homework as possible during the …

Finding My Way Through New Worlds

Almost three years ago, I was preparing for a journey that would change my life in ways I couldn’t yet comprehend. At 17, fresh out of my junior year in high school, I was preparing to leave Afghanistan for the United States. I didn’t even know where my new school was located, nor what life …

Recreation in Holland

For myself and many other Hope students, a major perk of life in Holland is the options for recreation on campus and in the community. Depending on the season, you might find me rollerblading with friends, hammocking in the Pine Grove, or building a snowman outside. One thing remains consistent– Holland is an amazing place …

Perks of Living Near Downtown Holland

I didn’t choose Hope exclusively because of its downtown atmosphere, but having a campus so closely integrated into the beautiful Holland community has been a huge perk of my college experience. This summer, I’m continuing to live and work on campus. Watching one of my favorite cities bloom and buzz in the summer heat has …

Hopeful Faith

College is a busy time. You are constantly running to class, work, events, extracurriculars, etc. So when is there time for your faith? You can find the time, it just takes a little intentionality. I grew up in a very Christian household and when I came to college I wanted to deepen my own personal …

Adjusting to Holland

I can’t wrap my head around the idea that Holland feels small to some people. To me, as someone who grew up in a small Upper Peninsula town, it feels almost limitless. It has so much that my hometown doesn’t have, such as a freeway (seriously, there are no freeways in the Upper Peninsula). This …

Springtime in Holland

Springtime in Holland is like no other.  Don’t get me wrong, I love coming back to school in the fall, and the first snow is absolutely magical.  Still, there’s just something about the first few warm days on campus that have a special air to them. Here are my top five aspects of springtime in …

3 Things I Wish I’d Known About Living Away from Home

Before coming to Hope, I knew that living on campus would be a huge part of my college experience but I didn’t know what this entailed. My understanding of living away from home came from Gilmore Girls. If you’re familiar with the show, you know that Rory’s mom Lorelai comes and sleeps over on her …

Living in Holland

When you move to a town you aren’t accustomed to you might be wondering what there is to do. Well, have no fear! As someone who was living in Holland before attending Hope I am here to offer some ideas. Downtown This one is obvious. Since Hope is located right next to Downtown Holland you …