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Student Voices
Dara Wells-Hajjar
- Hometown: Venice, California
- Self-Designed Major: Therapeutic Healing and Social Change through the Arts
Why Western?
The Pacific Northwest is absolutely beautiful; it is a magical place, and when I first came up to visit, I was captivated by the trees, mountains, islands, water, people, etc. Then I found out about Fairhaven College when I was taking the tour of Western, and I've been hooked ever since.
Surpassed Expectations
I really did not know what to expect when starting college. All I knew was that I was petrified and extremely excited at the same time. However, aside from that, Fairhaven/Western have far exceeded my expectations. The people that live, and come here are truly genuine, beautiful people. There is a strong sense of creativity, curiosity, activism, and compassion that is interwoven within the students, faculty, community, and land.
Influential Professors
I have had so many amazing professors since I have been a student at Fairhaven/Western. I appreciate the professors who really care about what they are teaching, and care about their students. Also, I value all the professors who told me stories, who introduced me to so many new and amazing areas of study, and ways of life; I am forever grateful for having been exposed to their wisdom.
Discovering Talents
Writing my concentration/major at Fairhaven really stands out as a significant experience. I was definitely a student that had no idea what I wanted to do, did not know what I was good at, and had so many fears and insecurities that I was holding myself back in a lot of ways. Then when I became part of a supportive community like Fairhaven, that gave me room and encouraged me to explore and try things that I had never done before, I fell into art and creativity, parts of life I never even dreamed of living in.
Outside the Classroom
I enjoy making art, dancing, going to concerts, hanging out with friends and family, going on adventures outside, going to new places, making food, watching movies, swimming, meeting new people, being mindful of life!
Favorite Memory
A few years ago at Take Back the Night (an evening to empower women), after the march we all came back to Red Square (the center of campus), which had been covered in candles! It was amazing, and a really special evening, with poetry, fire dancing, friends, strangers, laughter, tears, a really sense of community, etc.
Life in Bellingham
Bellingham is a very exciting city; there are so many secret pathways, parks, views that one does not see the first time. There is always more to explore. Bellingham is also surrounded by beautiful mountains, but since it is cloudy so often, they constantly disappear, and then on the clear days, the surprise of the landscape is breathtaking. I grew up in Southern California, where there really aren't any seasons, so having a real fall, winter, spring, and summer is really exciting.
After Western
There is so much to do, and explore, it is hard to know where to start. Before I started college, I was fearful of the unknown, but now it is exciting! The teachers, mentors, and people that I have met here, have shown me so many ways of living life, and exposed me to so many places in the world. I want to travel; go to graduate school at some point; volunteer with many organizations; meet new people; get to know my family better; in short, I want to do everything!