Nora '25

Exploring Berea College and its Many Offerings

One Class and One Peer at a Time

Born and raised in Louisville, with close family connections and experiences in Morocco, Nora '25 is exploring the numerous academic and cultural learning opportunities that are in abundance at Berea College.

Nora's interests are vast, and her appetite for learning is enviable. She has immersed herself in exploring the fine and visual arts as well as graphic design, social work, international relations and psychology. "I have many interests, so I don't know what I want to focus on," said Nora. "I have to choose wisely," she said of selecting a major.

Nora learned about Berea College during her first year of high school from a friend, who is now her roommate, as well as another friend's brother who attended the College. "I knew there was going to be a heavy workload," said Nora. She was drawn to Berea because of the many learning opportunities as well as the exposure to different types of people with diverse cultural backgrounds she would encounter.

"I like meeting many types of people from different countries with different cultures," said Nora. "I want to interact with international students and share different things with each other." Nora has found these opportunities to be many. While simply enjoying a meal, she met peers from Madagascar, Serbia and Burundi. She learned of many similarities and differences they had among themselves and found it to be a "really interesting conversation." She also enjoys interacting with the international students with whom she has classes.

Nora looks forward to studying abroad, an opportunity she greatly values as part of her Berea education. "I've been wanting to study abroad since middle school," she said. "I really like learning languages, studying languages, different cultures and experiencing things that are different to me."

In addition to her classes, Nora has a student labor position within the Office of Planned Philanthropy, where she works on various projects to support the department and its efforts. "I understand how it works on a different level than other students," said Nora. She has gained an understanding of how transformative donors are in making her Berea College experience possible. "The cost of going here is much better because of the donors, and I'm very grateful for that."

"There are a lot of people who want to get a college education, but they cannot afford it, and I think Berea gives them a chance." To our donors, Nora says, "Thank you. My peers and I appreciate you."