I’m Mike Bizier, an English major and a senior here at UNH Manchester. After my college career is done, I hope to pursue some kind of career in editing or freelance writing. Aside from writing and reading, I also love learning about different cultures and practicing new languages. I’ve studied French for about seven years, German for three, and last year I even took two semesters of Mandarin Chinese.
When I’m not busy working on school work, I enjoy writing blogs about video games and movie culture, reading a good book, and going for adventurous hikes when I get the chance. You might sometimes spot me working in the library, either shelving books and DVDs or checking items out to students, faculty, and community patrons.
I wasn’t always a student at UNH Manchester though. Before I got here I was a student at UNH Durham, living in a dorm and experiencing the more “traditional” college experience. As a first generation college student, I felt at the time that it was important to get that kind of experience we as a society seem to hold in such a high regard, and that my parents told me time and time again that they wished they had experienced.
Having faced that reality in my Freshman year, I found that I didn’t feel as connected as I had hoped. As a naturally quiet and more reserved person, I felt a little uneasy with the big events and large crowds at the sprawling campus. I’ve always felt much more comfortable in a small setting, and socializing with a much smaller group of people.
This kind of uneasiness even spread into the classrooms. I remember the feeling of shock I had when I went in to my first class in a lecture hall, with over a hundred seats and every single one of them filled. Even my non-lecture classes had a significant amount of people in them. I felt a little isolated, and found it very difficult to build relationships with my teachers and fellow students.
I also experienced a lot of homesickness, even though I was really only an hour away from my home town of Nashua. I missed the company of my friends and family, and would come home every weekend just to spend even a little bit of time with them.
Looking back, I almost feel that I jumped into UNH Durham without considering what would come with being on a big campus. That kind of setting just didn’t fit my personality or preferred learning style. When I found out about UNH Manchester though, I was immediately interested in transferring for my Sophomore year- a decision that I still don’t regret.
What I really love about the UNH Manchester campus is its strong sense of community. Having much smaller classes allows me to get to know my fellow students and even teachers on a much more personal level. I feel more engaged in these class environments, and in most cases I am on a first name basis with my teachers. It’s definitely nice seeing familiar faces in almost every class and the library.
Another reason I really like UNH Manchester is its location. With campus set up right in the center of the city, there are so many places I can go to in between and after classes. Some of my personal favorites include Dos Amigos Burritos, Thousand Crane Restaurant, and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Parlor. Most of all, I love how I get to continue my education without sacrificing time with my loved ones.
Overall, I feel that I’ve benefited greatly from my experience here at UNH Manchester.
