Bethel University-Saint Paul Top Questions

More than just academics and campus life, I have learned a lot about my values, interests, and strengths. Learning these lessons alongside supportive friends and professors has been an invaluable experience. I know that these lessons will prepare me for the working world more than any textbooks, lectures, or exams ever could. That being said, the education I have received has prepared me well for my career field. I have learned a balance of theories and skills that will equip me to be a good nurse. I have learned the beauty of caring deeply and personally for patients, while maintaining a sense of professionalism in the therapeutic relationship. I have also learned the benefit of viewing the patient as a whole - an interconnection of mind, body, and spirit. Each dimension - mind, body, and spirit - play an important part in the healing process. To ignore one of these dimensions is to do a disservice to the patient. My college experience has provided me with self-knowledge, academics, and an educated worldview. All of these have prepared me well to enter the nursing field.

I have gotten many things out of my college experience. Most valuable to me is my academic knowledge of the Bible. I grew up in a Christian home, but academic knowledge was not a focus of my Christian Education. I loved deepening my practical knowledge in a relatively unbiased setting. College also made me a more independent person. I learned how to make friends and be happy on a campus where I didn't really fit in. And finally, I gained lots of practical knowledge and a degree with a university name that will carry me far in my field, especially in this state.

The young woman that came into Bethel University Fall of 2008 is not the same woman that is writing this application. In the last 2 and a half years I have began to scratch the surface of understanding who I am. Through classes and interaction with professors I have realized my desire for wisdom and understanding the world not only through my eyes but through the worldviews of others. Through my volunteer opportunities a passion for serving and helping others has erupted; especially in the regards of at-risk youth. Within the community and relationships with people at Bethel University I have discovered my personality and character as an out-going confident woman who loves to make others laugh. Most importantly through my college experience I have solidified my faith in Jesus Christ and have begun to understand the sacrifice He made for me and as a result the response of loving others I know have. Through my time at Bethel and the opportunities it has allowed me, such as studying abroad, I now know my passion and desire is to show compassion to others and take care of their needs and through that love and empower them.

My college experience as helped me grow in both my work ethic and in my chracter. Bethel has done a great job in challenging me through my classes and teaching me that in order to achieve what I want in life I need to work hard and not just expect it to come to me. Bethel has also helped me grow as a person as each professor cares deeply about his/her students and even about the students' personal lives. This school also has helped my personal growth because of the opotunity for spiritual chapels three times a week and RAs which are always willing to sit and discuss life issues with any person. Overall Bethel has opened my eyes to life and helped me to learn to get the most out of it. This school has helped mold my college experience and make it be all I could even have wanted or dreamed of having.

My college experience has been somewhat unique, and is certainly not for everyone. I love the small student population at my school. The professors are generally quite accessible, and the students are typically friendly (even if it may be slightly superficial at times). The "degrees of seperation" between students at Bethel is almost always two: if you don't know someone at the school, it's safe to assume that one of your friends does. The small community has, to me, always made it feel like a big family. If I were to pick one beneficial thing that I got from this school, it wouldn't be cutting-edge learning or a strong preparation for post-grad employment; I flourished at Bethel because everyone, from faculty to security to upper-classmen, is there for you if you need them. No school employee has ever complained of me wasting their time, even if I went to them for something that is outside of their job description. I guess my lesson learned is: I am part of a larger community than just my immediate circle of friends and aquaintences, and being there for others can make all the difference in their world.

I have gotten many things out of my college experience. If I had never come to Bethel I would have never made such wonderful friends or learned so much about myself. It has been valuable for me to attend Bethel because I grew as a person. I have learned so much about myself that I would have never known had I not attended Bethel. Before I attended Bethel I was religious, but I didn’t have a fire for God. Now I do. Bethel has allowed me to grow spiritually, and given me a great education all at the same time. I am so glad I picked Bethel, because if I hadn’t then I would have never known myself as well as I do now. I am very happy I made the choice to attend here, and I think other’s who want to grow more spiritually would be smart to attend Bethel.

Attending college has meant everything to me. First off, it gave me freedom to make my own choices and to find out who I am without old friends and family. I got to be in a place where my past didn't affect me positively or negatively. It was a clean slate and I could be who I wanted to be without preconceived notions about me. I learned how to choose the friends that will stick with me forever and how to get along with those different from me. Most importantly I learned to rely on God for his plan in my life. I may not have everything figured out at this point but I know that God has a plan for me and the journey to learning that plan has been incredible. Being unsure about my future has opened the doors to experiencing new opportunities and trying new things. I know that there is a wide world of opportunity out there that I can explore in whatever way I chose. So college has opened my eyes to who my true self is and how I value in my relationship with God.

In my two years at Bethel, I have gained a better understanding of who I am as a person. I have learned how to incorporate my faith into different areas of my life such as educating, math, and Spanish. I have learned that academics are important, and it is important to do well; however, it is more important to do my best. Whether I get A's, B's or C's, my hard work will be rewarded in my future career as an educator. Attending Bethel has given me opportunities that I would have not recieved at another university. I will be spending the next semester in Guatemala through a program at Bethel, and I am excited for all I will learn about another culture, myself, and God during this semester. It has also been extremely valuable for me to get an education at a Christian university and to learn from Christian profesors and surround myself with Christian friends. I have not only gotten an excellent education these past two years, but I have been able to build relationships with my profesors, friends, classmates, and roomates which have all helped me to grow personally.

My college experience has been an experience of significant growth and maturation. Bethel provides a safe place to grow and mature spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. I have not only gained knowledge that will be valuable to a future career, but have also gained skills, relationships, and knowledge that will be invaluable to me in my future.

I have learned how to understand differences in people racially, economically, and socially. I have learned how to relate and communicate with people without trying to change them and also how to grow closer to God through growing closer to other people. Bethel has been extremely valuable to attend because they teach us stuff that is practically for real life- the life after college when things are getting extremely hard with bills and moving onto different chapters of your life whether that be getting married or having a career or exploring the world. I have learned that it is important to learn more about different cultures and what types of problems there are among our campus community and other communities around the world so that we are able to try to help each other out.

To say I have gotten an education from Bethel University is an absurd understatement. Even though I have only been attending Bethel for one semester now, my perspectives been broadened immensely for I have learned to look at the world as though I am from a different culture. Aside from the intellectual aspect of education, I have grown spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Attending chapel and our "Vespers" service while surrounded by encouraging students and faculty who attempt to understand what I am going through has led me to a deeper relationship with Christ. These people have become my very best friends and ultimately, my Bethel family. Being away from home is hard to adjust to, especially for the first year away. I belive my transition would not have been half as smooth if it were not for my new friends and mentors. To say the least, Bethel has helped me come out of my shell and find my place as a Christ-follower. I do not believe this kind of experience could be found at many other schools, though I would hope it could.

I have been in college for less than a year so far but I have already learned so much in both an educational sense and also in a sense that I can use in the real world. Bethel University has taught me to discipline myself in everything I do. If I work hard at something, then I will succeed at it. It has been very valuable to experience this college because the professors get personal with the students being that Bethel is a smaller university. Since the professors can be more personal, I feel that they really get to know me and want to help me succeed in my education so that I can go far in my life. Faith is also a part of the education that the professors put an emphasis which will continue to help me throughout my entire life. I really value my college experience and I hope that it continues through the rest of my years at Bethel University.

I have gained an education that makes me feel confident and prepared to become gainfully employed in the real world. I have also grown to challenge and own my faith through the classes and chapel meetings on campus. Bethel University is a terrific school that helps to prepare individuals for the competitive society that we live in.

My decision to go to college has been one of the most beneficial decisions I have made in all my life. I have learned not only to push myself beyond my limits in academics, athletics, and spiritual matters, but I have also learned to live away from my hometown and main support group: my family. The hardest part of moving away for college was leaving behind friends and family. Consequently, I have grown closer to my family via phone calls, e-mail, and even letters as I realize how much I truly need them. College has also opened up possibilities for me I never dreamed possible. I have taken science, spanish, and art classes that have challenged my ways of thinking and viewing the world. I have also been able to play on a college hockey team and travel to different parts of the Midwest for games, all pretty much free of cost. Most importantly, college has enabled me to build life-lasting relationships with people of all cultures. I have met a variety of amazing students and professors from Mexico to Papua New Guinea to Bismark, North Dakota. The lessons I have learned from these people have proved invaluble.

My first two years at Bethel were very difficult academically and because so many liberal ideas were thrown my way. I was very discouraged but pressed on hoping to be accepted into the nursing program. I was accepted and am so glad that I did not transfer but stayed here. The joy I have at being in the nursing program is incredible. The professors are caring and want me to do the best job possible which inspires me to learn. Looking back on my first two years, I realize that they have formed me to be the person I am today, despite the difficulties. The issues I was presented with taught me how to stand my ground and figure out what I believe. This has helped me come up with a nursing philosophy for my work career. These years here have shaped me and will continue to do so, which I look forward to with relish!

My college experience has been an eye opener to the reality of life. I started my college education in Kenya the transferred to the United States in the second semester of my sophomore year. Having come to a place with diverse people who have different, beliefs, opinions and backgrounds has brought me out of my little bubble. At the end of my college education I plan on going back to Africa and help out my people. It is sad to see people die of poverty, see corrupt leaders and see people kill each other over trivial issues. I plan on being an agent for peace and change among my people and around the world. I believe that me completing my college education will not only be good for me but also for others. I will also be the first girl in my extended family to have completed college.

My friend laughed at me when I told him that Bethel opened my eyes to a bigger world, considering one stereotype for Bethel students is that they are disconnected to the world outside of campus. However, after my first semester at Bethel, I feel that my experiences at Bethel are shaping me into a person who cares about the world and wants to make a difference in it. Through my classes, chapel, student activities, and interaction with professors and classamtes, I am beginning to undertand myself and my values better. In fact, many classes here are challenging because they question our cultural values and conceptions that we grew up with. One friend expressed that she felt overwhelmed after watching movies about wars and feminism; another Caucasian friend said she felt uneasy after watching a movie about white privileges. However, the professors at Bethel are here to walk with us as we explore the world and ourselves. They encourage us not to take things for granted, but instead learn and experience for ourselves so that we truly understand what we belive in. They also warmly welcome us and encourage us to join them in making a difference in this wrold.

I have been greatly impacted by my first semester of college. I have seen the ways in which i am influence by those around me, and similairly seen my influence on others. Moving away from the people I have been with since elementry school has been a big change and I have grown in regards to my self-identity. I am now more able to tell you who I am and what I stand for. I have grown into an easily influenced highschooler to what I like to consider myself now, an individual with drive and purpose.

I have gotten a great education thus far at Bethel University. I have learned a lot about myself, the Twin Cities and most importantly about my major; nursing. I value my education there and I love where I'm at. I have amazing friends and professors to help me with my academics and to support all of my decisions. I would not wish to be at any other university.

My college experience has been a very valuable one. It has allowed me to grow academically as well as personally. My professors and peers have challenged me to push myself in all areas of my life to become a better person. Each day I learn more in my classes. Not only have I gained knowledge, but I have learned more about myself and how to use my strengths to achieve my goals. I have also been growing personally as I continue to learn more about my faith. I have gained many good friends who have been a great encouragement to me. Overall, my college experience has allowed me to learn more about who I am and my purpose in life.