Five reasons to spend summer in Hillsdale

Admissions' interns spend the summer in Hillsdale
Admissions’ interns spend the summer in Hillsdale | Courtesy Hillsdale College Admissions Instagram

If there is one piece of advice I would give to any Hillsdale student it’s this: spend a summer in Hillsdale. 

Last summer I interned for the admissions department. I was a bit apprehensive at first. Did I really want to spend a summer in the same small town that I spent the fall, winter, and spring?  I decided to give it a try. Many friends encouraged meI to experience Hillsdale in the summer, but I did not think I would enjoy it as they did. But spending a summer in Hillsdale was an unbelievable blessing, and you should consider spending a summer in the ’dale, too.

First, I gained the most incredible friends. As one of six admissions interns, I gained life-long friends who are from all different ends of campus, and still have the best time when we are together to this day. While it took us a little while to get comfortable with each other, by the end of the three months, we spent every weekend together. 

Second, by interning with any department in Hillsdale you can gain real professional development experience in a familiar environment. The opportunities at Hillsdale in the summer are far more than just resume builders. I have never grown more professionally in one period of time than I did during my Hillsdale summer.

Third, you get to really enjoy and experience Hillsdale in a way that you can’t while you have classes, homework, extracurriculars, etc. You can wake up early for that bible study at Baw Beese that you have always wanted to do, take a bike to Hayden Park or hit golf balls on the driving range, kayak and paddleboard, hammock on campus, read a book just for fun on the Rough Draft patio, cook three meals a day, visit the farmers market, play board games all night with friends, etc. You have the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures and beauties of this small town.

Fourth, you can explore and take road trips all around the Midwest. You can go to concerts in Chicago, visit the Toledo art museum, Mackinac Island, Fort Wayne, etc. Make a bucket list and take lots of weekend trips. 

Fifth, you get to experience the best town in its best season. Hillsdale is beautiful in the summer and getting to experience it with your closest friends gives you a new perspective and love for this small town.

Most of us only get eight semesters at Hillsdale, I encourage you to take the opportunity while you can to spend a semester and experience everything that Hillsdale has to offer.