I had planned to attend university abroad, but then I heard about the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program, and I applied to Trinity instead. As an International Relations student I loved my studies, and it was amazing for me to see politics in action in student government.
In my first year, some friends and I learned about a fund that had been set up for international experiences for students, and we were able to take a two-week trip to Brussels and The Hague as part of our program, which was incredible.
I lived at home all four years but still felt like a member of the Trinity community. I spent many hours in the Buttery and the Quad, and I always had a friend’s floor to crash on if I wanted to stay overnight. And playing intramural softball and hockey was a blast! I am in touch with former teammates to this day, along with other lifelong friends I made at Trinity.
Why I give
Many of the best aspects of my Trinity experience were directly funded by donors—the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program, my first-year trip to Brussels and The Hague, and then I received the William and Nona Heaslip Trinity St. Antony’s Scholarship when I graduated, which funded my Master’s degree in International Relations at Oxford University.
Trinity gave me so much. I feel a real responsibility to give back to the College. Young alumni like me may not be able to make large donations, but I can make a smaller monthly gift and I can donate my time, so that’s what I do. I also feel that giving back to the College is a great way to stay involved with the community on a regular basis.
What I get back
Attending alumni-student networking events has been hugely rewarding for me. I love speaking with students about what they’re doing, and being able to offer advice and mentorship feels good. As a member of the Living Trinity Campaign Cabinet, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of the conversation about where the College is headed. It’s really exciting, and my hope is that the new building and our new programs will be a positive symbol of Trinity emerging from these tough times for all of us.