When I applied to Maine Coast Semester in February, I got my application in minutes before the deadline. After clicking submit I did my best to not think about it too much because I didn’t want to set myself up for disappointment. When my admission decision finally arrived, I was nervous. I stood frozen in my kitchen, staring at the letter perched on the counter, unable to open it. Slowly, I hesitantly opened the envelope and began to read, and as my eyes scanned down the page a wave of relief and excitement came over me.

As months turned into weeks turned into the days leading up to the first day of semester 63, I felt the same butterflies that I had felt in my kitchen in February. When my family and I turned onto Chewonki Neck Road, the butterflies intensified and did not stop until I made it to Gordy Hall, the cabin that my six best friends and I live in. We all exchanged awkward greetings and I began to set up my bed, fold my clothes, and pin-up my photos. When my family left, it finally set it – I was here for good. I was terrified. But, after the first day of orientation, I headed back to Gordy with my cabin-mates. We started to talk, beginning with obvious questions but quickly diverging from small talk. All of the doubts and fears that I had felt began to melt away. Although all of us are from different corners of the country and are individually very different, we talked that night like we had known each other for years. 

We have been here for just under two weeks now, but the relationships that I have made in this short time are some of the most profound and meaningful friendships I’ve ever had. The Maine Coast Semester community is one that I believe I will learn from and be supported by for the rest of my life.

Sam Child, Santa Fe Prep, Santa Fe, NM