Mike Linn transferred to GC and answers questions about his new life

Q: What is your major and what year are you?

I’m a sophomore environmental science major. I’ll graduate in 2016. I went to Northridge High school, in Middlebury, Ind., and graduated in 2012. My freshman year, I went to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. I transferred to Goshen College for a number of reasons.

Q: Why did you choose Goshen?

I like small schools because I feel that big schools are too impersonal. I would never choose a public university, but always a small private school.

At Goshen College, the people are so much more diverse. I fit in more here and I never feel like I am being judged. People are a lot friendlier, and I feel like Goshen gives me opportunities to get involved, despite being a commuter student.

Q: What is it like being a commuter?

I live at home in Goshen, and commute every day in a 15-minute drive to campus. However, when there is traffic, which there always is, it takes me significantly longer. It is kind of annoying to drive here every day but it saves a lot of money that I would otherwise be spending on a dorm and meal plan.

As a commuter, I don’t spend any time in the commuter lounge, where I think it is too loud, but I prefer to spend most of my free time between classes in the Leaf Raker, where I think the food is great.

Q: What is the best thing about GC?

Professors at GC are more involved and engaged with students. Calling them by their first name makes them even more approachable.

Classes at GC are much more hands on. A lot of the environmental science classes I’m taking have lectures and classes outside where students are required to participate in hands on activities to facilitate learning. Classwork is really hands-on work, which I find more helpful for real world situations. It makes us better prepared for life, in my opinion.

For example, in Ecology and Evolution we went out and looked at prairie plants and we’ve looked at micro invertebrates. Things like that make class a lot more interesting.

For my Botany class we went to Merry Lea, and once the weather becomes warmer, we are going to go out for my cell biology class. I feel like here at Goshen, I am getting my money’s worth.

Q: What is one thing you want people to know about you?

I also work at the Starbucks in Martin’s. Despite being a busy environmental science major, I do have other passions. I love playing guitar and I love music.

Q: Where do you see yourself after graduation?

I’m not sure what I want to do when I graduate, but I likely have an internship lined up. It is a paid internship where I will be working as a park ranger. Working in a national park is something I have been considering to do after graduation.