Conquering The Day: Life At A New School as a Transfer Student

This story is a part of the Student Life Blog, a blog written by Georgetown students about their experiences and life at Georgetown.

Yasmin Diallo (C'28) is a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in public policy within the College of Arts & Sciences and the McCourt School of Public Policy and is a Georgetown Storyteller.

A few mornings ago, after noticing the sun shine glaringly through my window, I believed that, (despite my weather app's prediction of a 31-degree temperature), I could go forth and conquer the day with a simple hoodie.

As soon as I stepped foot outside of my dorm, I quickly retreated back into my room and decided to go forth and conquer the day with my coat instead.

This essentially sums up my experience adjusting to Georgetown this past fall semester as a transfer student. (Well yes, the weather, but also other aspects as well).

My Worries as a Transfer Student

Although I was super excited about coming to Georgetown, I wondered how I would adjust to a new school. I looked forward to becoming more independent being so far from home. However, I would deeply miss the friendships I had forged at my last school. I especially remember being worried about how I would fit into already established friend groups at Georgetown and take advantage of opportunities as a transfer student entering "a year late" on campus.

Little did I know that my worries were for naught and that Georgetown would quickly become my home.

Adjusting to Life at Georgetown

In those first few weeks on campus, I was determined to put myself out there, connecting with many people and getting involved with a variety of activities on campus. Through conversations in lines at NSO events, office hours and even grabbing bites at dining halls together, I was able to make many wonderful friends and get acquainted with our lovely faculty, which quelled my previous worries, and I found myself really enjoying my time here as the semester progressed.

Georgetown's unique student body, activities and events are aspects that have defined my experience. Events like Posada (an annual festive cultural event hosted by the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano De Georgetown), the annual Christmas tree lighting, and ESCAPE (an overnight retreatfor first-year and transfer students), are just some of the amazing things I have experienced that make Georgetown much more meaningful.

The transfer community here is another defining element that has enhanced my time. We truly stick together and forge our own special spaces, ranging from gatherings hosted on the transfer floor in McCarthy Hall, to off-campus events hosted by the Transfer Council. The diverse backgrounds and experiences that we come from and share with one another are so enriching, and I always feel grateful to be part of this fantastic community. Many of my friends are transfer students whom I met during the first few weeks here, and my Georgetown experience wouldn't be as amazing as it is without them!

Georgetown's supportive community has also inspired me to try new things that fall out of my comfort zone! Auditioning for ABISSA, (the annual cultural showcase by the African Society Of Georgetown), volunteering for free throwsat basketball games, having the courage to ice skate with my friends (which I had never done before), and even becoming a Georgetown Storytellerare just some of the many fun things I've had the chance to do, and I look forward to engaging in more adventurous opportunities during my time here.

Additionally, Georgetown's location and proximity to a variety of awesome locations have enabled me to explore the area and attend cool events around DC, including concerts, the Georgetown flea market (which has a ton of cool items on display), book signings by my favorite authors and trying amazing new foods, which I really enjoy.

Although it's been a difficult adjustment being so far from my family for the first time, the community here at Georgetown has provided me with the support and love that makes it feel like a home of its own.

That morning with the hoodie and coat now feels like a reassuring reminder of how this semester has gone. Just like adjusting to conquer that day with my coat, adjusting to Georgetown has shown me how capable I am of adapting and how these adjustments have led to a semester filled with comfort, confidence and community.

• class of 2028