My Outstanding Roommate

Although my roommate and I usually get along splendidly, recently we have been having something of a dispute. I argue that she is pretty awesome and just likes to be dramatic, while she humbly insists that she is not. So, I decided to abuse the power this blog gives me and prove her wrong once and for all.

Reason 1 – She probably has the coolest job on campus

While every campus job has its perks, working at the GIS Lab has to be one of the coolest ways to earn a salary around here. My roommate landed this amazing job after taking Introduction to Geospatial Analysis our first term. She now works doing her own research on what is the best place in Southeast Minnesota to set up solar power plants. Pretty cool, I know.

Reason 2 – Her winter break externship

Our long winter breaks allow us to get involved in a variety of activities with a lot of freedom. Each year, many students spend part of their winter break doing an externship with the Carleton Career Center to learn about career prospects and gain real-world experience.

My roommate got an externship working at the Chicago Botanic Garden assisting a team of researchers who were investigating the effects of prescribed fire on plants’ seeds. She also got a chance to formulate her own mini-research project and try deep dish pizza!

Reason 3 – A plethora of hidden talents

I have known her for over 5 months now, and yet I am still learning about her many hidden talents. Did you know that she tested out of the language requirement with Latin? Or that she can play the guitar? She is also an excellent baker, a versatile athlete, and has plenty of other impressive secrets that she would kill me for disclosing here.

Reason 4 – She’s a true friend

All of the above would mean little if she wasn’t also the awesome roommate and friend that we have all come to know and love. She is generous, authentic, caring, a great listener, supportive… I could go on and on.

She helped me when my calculus class stressed me out. She always listens to me when I rant about the lack of oatmeal cookies in LDC. She hangs out with us even when we are discussing international student stuff and reminisce about our days abroad. For Christmas, she even surprised us by stopping by on campus and bringing us food!

So, there you have it. Just four of the countless reasons I am roommates with the coolest person at Carleton.

Fátima strives to learn everything about everything, but is especially interested in Sociology/Anthropology, Psychology, and Disney! As a freshman, she can’t wait to introduce her peers to her native Guatemalan culture, put in practice her newly acquired ASL skills, and play in the snow for the first time. In her free time, Fátima can be found watching cartoons, poorly playing the ukulele, or desperately missing her dog, Cosmo. Meet the other bloggers!