Chi-Chi Onyekonwu
Major: Economics
Sophomore
conyeko1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Parkville High School
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided to attend UMBC after attending the New Student Day in April of 2019 and seeing the campus.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars & Interdisciplinary Studies Living-Learning Communities (DS/INDS LLC)?
I heard about the LLCs during one of the sessions heard on the New Student Day.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS/INDS LLC?
I applied for LLCs because I wanted to be part of a community. The DS/INDS LLCs were my top choices because I was unsure of which of my academic choices I should pursue.
Did you know anyone else in LLC when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I did not know anyone going into the LLC, but I came out with a few friends.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
The most interesting thing that happened during my first year was meeting new people of all types of backgrounds.
What was your favorite aspect of participating in the LLC?
I liked the sense of community that came from being together with everyone during the LLC classes and events, as well as the floor events.
In what ways did the LLC experience help you at UMBC?
The LLC connected me with UMBC faculty and students that I could go to whenever I need
Would you recommend LLC to other new UMBC students?
I would definitely recommend the LLC to new UMBC students.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
I was born in Nigeria and moved to the US at age 7. I am bilingual and I have a passion for learning about different cultures and languages.
Naomi Osandu
Major: Undecided
Sophomore
naomio1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
CMIT Academy North
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided I wanted to attend UMBC at New Student Day after really getting a feel of the campus and environment here. I liked how even though UMBC provides quality education, there still seems to be a healthy balance between academics and a social life.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars & Interdisciplinary Studies Living-Learning Communities (DS/INDS LLC)?
I received a pamphlet to apply to an LLC in the mail and I was looking over the different types online and that’s where I saw Discovery Scholars.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS/INDS LLC?
I thought this LLC would be the best place for me to transition into college as an Undecided major. This LLC’s mission to help students to truly understand their passions while introducing them to the resources that UMBC offers, adds a sort of structure to the inconsistency that Undecided majors face.
Did you know anyone else in LLC when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I recognized a few people that followed me on social media, but I did not personally know anybody. Yes I have made many friends through the course of the program.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
Just getting a taste of how strange college is like studying all night with a group of people you’ve never met before, getting shot by nerf guns on your way to class. There were also a lot of interesting events with student organizations like the mr/mrs NSBE pageant, or stay up all night at hackumbc’s hackathon.
What was your favorite aspect of participating in the LLC?
The many opportunities that we had to bond with each other with massages, scavenger hunts, laser tag. It’s cliche but it’s a nice break from all the studying and school-related activities.
In what ways did the LLC experience help you at UMBC?
This LLC helped me realize that I’m not alone and there’s actually more people that I thought that were undecided. I also learned a lot about the resources here on campus. I wouldn’t be doing service learning with the Shriver Center if it wasn’t for the FYE course.
Would you recommend LLC to other new UMBC students?
Definitely this is a safe space, not just for Undecided majors, but for anyone trying to better understand what this school has to offer, and live with a unique group of people that are just as curious as you.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
I played basketball for 3 years in highschool. I love to sing, watch movies, and read.
Ethan Piercy
Major: Chemical Engineering
Sophomore
ethanpiercy@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Harford Technical High School
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
UMBC is very close to home and I really like the engineering program.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars & Interdisciplinary Studies Living-Learning Communities (DS/INDS LLC)?
When applying for housing freshman year I knew I wanted to be a part of a LLC so I spent time learning about all of the different programs I could be a part of.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS/INDS LLC?
I read about all of the LLC programs at UMBC and the DS/INDS LLC was one of the ones that caught my interest.
Did you know anyone else in LLC when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I knew a few other people going in, being part of the program strengthened those relationships and helped form new ones.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
The summer before fall semester I decided to study abroad in England with 29, all of which were incoming UMBC students.
What was your favorite aspect of participating in the LLC?
Meeting new people that I may have never met otherwise.
In what ways did the LLC experience help you at UMBC?
Offered access to connections that helped me deal with the transition to a more independent learning environment.
Would you recommend LLC to other new UMBC students?Yes, it is a great way to make connections with other students and staff around campus.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
I am a manager at a restaurant and I collect CDs and Records.
01/23/2023