If you told me a year ago that I would get my first real taste of Skidmore College through a summer academic institute, I’d have laughed. But here I am, fresh off the plane from North Macedonia, basking in the energy of this campus I’ve dreamed about for months. This article isn’t just a love letter to my future alma mater; it’s an exploration of what Skidmore represents to someone who’s new to it all but already feels like they belong. Through my experiences so far and the stories I’ve heard, I want to share how I see this unique community — a place where creativity is not just a concept but a way of life, where traditions bond people together, and where diversity and inclusion thrive in the most authentic ways.
Imagine this: you’re walking through a campus where every conversation is a trip around the world. Your roommate is from New York, your lab partner is from Tokyo, and your study group is a mash-up of accents and perspectives you didn’t know could exist in one place. This is the Skidmore I’d heard about — a place where inclusion isn’t a checkbox but a lived reality. The buzzword here isn’t “diversity”; it’s celebration. The stories I’ve heard from UWC (United World Colleges) friends at Skidmore painted a picture of a community that not only welcomes but thrives on the uniqueness of each student. From cultural clubs to international festivals, I already feel like a piece of this dynamic mosaic, ready to bring a bit of a Balkan flavor to the mix.
Let’s talk about that motto, “Creative Thought Matters.” It’s not just a slogan — it’s the ethos that pulses through every corner of this campus, from Jonsson Tower to the Zankel Music Centre. I’ve felt it during the Summer Academic Institute that I attended as an Opportunity Program Scholar, where my courses in physics, critical reading, and college writing stretched my imagination in unexpected ways. At Skidmore, creativity doesn’t live solely in the art studios or theaters; it seeps into every lab experiment, business model, and philosophical debate. It’s the same energy I cherished at UWC Dilijan, where blending disciplines and thinking outside the box were not just encouraged but expected. Here at Skidmore, I'm already seeing how that spirit takes shape in the form of boundary-pushing research, interdisciplinary studies, and conversations that leave your brain buzzing with ideas. I came for the creativity, and Skidmore is delivering in spades.
A picture of Emrah, standing by the Skidmore College entrance sign. Image courtesy of Emrah Jusufoski '28.
Every college has its traditions, but Skidmore’s seems to have a special kind of magic — the kind that makes you want to jump right in, even if you don’t quite know the steps yet. Take the Big Green Scream, for instance. It’s not just a pep rally; it’s a full-throttle celebration of school spirit that feels more like a festival than a sports event. And then there’s Fun Day, which I’ve already marked on my calendar as the ultimate semester send-off, filled with camaraderie, joy, and a chance to let loose. But the tradition that I’m most intrigued by? Skidmania, Skidmore’s reimagined Beatlemore event. Over two days in the fall, students and faculty come together to perform covers of classic songs, not for grades or glory but purely for the joy of music and community. I can almost hear the melodies and feel the electric energy. I’m already imagining myself there, soaking it all in — and probably singing along even though my singing is terrible.
But Skidmore isn’t just about what happens within the confines of the campus. The college’s commitment to community engagement and social responsibility is something that resonates deeply with me. Here, students are encouraged to take what they learn and apply it to real-world challenges, whether that’s through sustainability projects, educational outreach, or activism. For example, for my English writing class, you must volunteer 2-3 hours each week in an organization in order to pass the class. At Skidmore, giving back to the community and helping each other is a must – and I love it! Having been involved in similar community projects at UWC Dilijan, I know how empowering it is to give back. I’m eager to dive into Skidmore’s community engagement initiatives and continue this work, contributing to a community that strives to make a difference.
So, why Skidmore? Why did I choose this college thousands of miles away from my hometown? I’ll have to give a huge shoutout to Darren Drabek (the Associate Director and Coordinator of International Admissions), whom I’ve had so many emails and meetings with online before coming, and Natacha Machera, a UWC graduate studying at Skidmore that I met during Yale’s summer program. Over dinner one night, I told her, “I want to go to a college where I can slay fashionable outfits without side-eyes, where I can catwalk down the halls without fear of judgment, and where my love for both business and fashion can flourish into something big and bold.” She grinned and said, “Sounds like you need to apply to Skidmore. We’ve got it all.” The rest, as they say, is history. I applied Early Decision 1 and haven’t looked back since.
So, here I am, ready to write the next chapter of my life at Skidmore. It’s a place where I won’t just be accepted for who I am but celebrated for it. I’m looking forward to the friendships yet to be made, the creative projects yet to be realized, and the countless early-morning and late-night discussions in Scribner Library that will undoubtedly shape me. From North Macedonia to Armenia, and now to the U.S., my journey has been a patchwork of diverse experiences that have prepared me for this moment. Skidmore, I’m ready for you — let’s create something extraordinary together.
Here’s to new beginnings, to the friends I haven’t met yet, and to the adventures awaiting us all. Skidmore, get ready — Emrah has arrived, and I’m here to leave a mark.