Kimheat’s Story: Babson or Bust!

There are many firsts in my first year of Babson College: fun, friends, food! For fun, I join extracurricular activities that I have never joined before such as Sustainability Club, Habitat for Humanity, empoWer, and First-Generation organization. All these clubs enable me to learn more about the Babson network and explore new interests, such as ways to help the environment or the local community. EmpoWer is my favorite club because I can connect with other female students from Wellesley, Olin, and Babson College and work together to amplify women’s voices through writing. I am also a Babson volunteer tour guide, leading prospective students on tours around Babson. This fabulous experience helps me learn new information about the college campus every week. Another first experience is being able to interact with people with all types of backgrounds. Considering that Babson College has students from 85 different countries, and 30% of the student body are international students, it is not unusual to bump into an international student on the way to the dining hall or sit next to an international student in one of the classes.

In our classes, it is very palpable that different students bring different perspectives to the table, making the discussions and teamwork more engaging and interesting. For instance, in my entrepreneurship class, the team’s diversity brings different skills to our business ventures. I get to learn how to make surveys, focus groups, and 3D printing from other students and professors. I am fortunate to make connections with people through the classes we take, the interests we have, and the clubs and events we participate in.

My first experience in the U.S. is not complete without the variety of foods I have tasted. While in Cambodia, I ate rice three times a day. I can never guess what my next meal will be in the U.S., making my adventure more exciting and unpredictable. At Babson College, the food reflects the school’s diversity. I am able to taste lobster on lobster mania night at the dining hall, dim sum at Hong Kong association’s parties, and Indian foods at the school’s community hour. ​

All of this is made possible through SHE-CAN. Thank you for all the SHE-CAN staff and mentors who helped me during my college application process and supported me during my transition to college. Traveling 8,626 miles from home is a very big adjustment, but my mentors and SHE-CAN help make the transition so much easier and better. 

8,626 miles from home,
 but remember I am not alone:
 I have amazing mentors
​ and supportive SHE-CAN sisters.