University of Denver

Personal

I thought and understood that I would leave Denver someday because I had no plans to stay in the U.S. after college, and I wanted to return to China. But I never thought it would come so suddenly. It took less than a week when I received the charter flight email from the embassy to the time I packed my bags and headed home. I didn’t say goodbye to Denver, and even on the way to the airport, I told myself that my departure was only temporary and that I would come back.

I love Denver in the fall, watching the leaves turn yellow little by little. It’s an unexplainable feeling, but the mood gets better somehow. In the fall, I like to drive around Denver with my friends and enjoy the scenery. Denver is the most beautiful place in autumn. Maybe it’s because the city I live in China has a shortfall, so I am overly fond of autumn. I also love our campus, I love all the flowers and trees, and I love DU after the snow. I love the city of Denver so much.

Since I left my hometown at the age of 18, Denver has helped me grow up a lot. Denver made me a more independent girl, leaving my parents’ protective wings and relying on myself for everything. I can say that after going abroad is to make the world by myself. Everything depends on me. I took a lot of detours and shed a lot of tears. But looking back now, I am confident and proud of my achievements. I used to feel that I was not good enough in every aspect, but now I think I am unique and beautiful both in appearance and soul. I have to admit that I grew up under my parents’ protective wings in China, who protected me so well that I was never wronged. But coming to Denver, where I live in a more culturally diverse place, I have become more and more able to appreciate myself and others and embrace anyone’s differences. Even less likely to judge someone for being different from myself. I have also been able to understand and embrace people I don’t like because of their experiences. I grew up in a family environment that success means a happy family, a successful career, money, cars, and a house. Still, over the years, I’ve realized that everyone’s definition of success is different. So life is much happier with less comparison.

Thanks to my parents’ ability to let me out to see the outside world. Every country has its own different cultures, and there is a big difference between American and Chinese cultures. Because of the cultural differences, living in Denver for so many years has significantly broadened my horizons, truly experienced multiculturalism, practiced the ability to think independently, and cultivated the mindset to face victory and defeat openly. It has also helped me to understand human nature and society more comprehensively. This is an experience that I cannot imitate or taste in China.

Denver gave me my first little house of my own, my first car of my own, and taught me many things to understand. I have unique feelings for Denver, and I know that it will be hard for me to return to this city as soon as I leave Denver, so let’s keep these thoughts in my heart. Denver, we are destined to meet again. I love Denver, my second hometown.

 

Personal

Let’s travel back to the summer of 2018, shall we? A time where there were no face masks, a time when we could hug our loved ones, and a time when I was going on college tours.

An ambitious rising high school senior, I had big goals of what to do with my college experience. I wanted a big school with lots of students and diversity, a place where my professors were invested in me and my education, a school full of spirit and enthusiasm, and a place where I could find a tight-knit group of friends to last a lifetime. I guess no one told me these expectations were straight from a late-2000s rom-com, somewhere along the lines of Legally Blonde.

A girl in a wheelchair smiling under a big arch at the University of Southern California
Me, at the University of Southern California, July of 2018

My parents were, as you can imagine, a bit overwhelmed by my long list of requirements. But they supported me the entire way and took me on a road trip across the country to tour schools.

We started out at the top of California, to visit Stanford and Berkley. Yeah, I’m that kind of nerd. I only had a few anxiety attacks on the drive there – I think I had one in Salt Lake City and one at the hotel in Berkley. I hadn’t realized the weight of the decision I was trying to make until we were already on the way. I was ultimately deciding where my family and I were going to move and live for the next 4+ years.

Being physically disabled creates a lot of barriers and boundaries to cross in life, and this was going to be the biggest yet. My mom told me she was going to support and help me the whole way through, after all, my definition of independence was (and is) different than my peers. While most rising seniors are stressing about parties or moving far away from home, I was stressing about insurance for my caregivers and what that would be like in a different state. So, my mom promised me that wherever I decided to go, they would move within a 20-minute drive away so she could be my backup plan.

Sure, that sounded nice and comforting… but also felt like the weight of the world was resting on my shoulders. They told me not to worry, but how was I supposed to enjoy my tours when in the back of my mind my family’s stability was lingering?

I still enjoyed the adventures, though. I traveled through the hilly area of Berkley, felt the baking summer heat in Stanford, pictured myself studying dutifully in each library and café, and then we worked our way south towards UCLA and Whittier College. But we couldn’t travel through Anaheim, California without two necessary pit-stops – Disneyland and Universal Studios!

A girl posing with the character Eeyore at Disneyland.
Eeyore and I, July 2018

Okay, so it wasn’t really a “pit-stop,” per say, since we spent about 4 days running amok. It was a much-needed break, though! I felt very nostalgic as I took pictures with characters like Peter Pan and the Mad Hatter while internally freaking out about growing up. There’s nothing like the magic of Disney and Harry Potter to remind you who you are.

Hogwarts lit up at night at Universal Studios
Hogwarts, July 2018

I left that part of the trip and progressed to visit UCLA and Whittier, finally feeling like my old childish self again. I didn’t stress about what library spot I would have, or what gifts I should get from their bookstores. I simply looked at the campuses, the cities around them, and tried to imagine myself living there (regardless of where my parents lived). I was able to picture myself enjoying my time at each place, and was getting excited about the adventures waiting for me.

On the drive back, we stopped at Las Vegas, Nevada. I spent one afternoon sitting and filling out postcards to send my friends while my parents rested. I quickly explained to each friend a different memory from each place, secretly trying to convince them to apply to the same schools I was. As I read over each and corrected some pen smudge-marks, I realized that I felt content with each campus I visited. Although I ruled out Berkley and Whittier pretty fast, I still saw the beauty in them.

 

A statue of the yellow m&m holding up a big box of m&ms at night.
The strip in Vegas, July of 2018

Maybe the college experience didn’t need to fit inside a 97-minute rom com starring Reece Witherspoon, maybe it just needed to be nice for me. And that’s what I found just up the highway from my high school, the beautiful campus of the University of Denver!

Listicle

For many University of Denver students, one of the largest draws to the campus is, without fail, the spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains. With mountains lining the Western sky, Denver is celebrated for its stunning sunsets.

The trick is finding that perfect spot to catch that mountain view, but with an ever-changing campus and several locations to choose from, it can be easy to find yourself frustrated with your options. Fortunately, current DU seniors have scoured the area for nearly four years, providing you with the five best places to enjoy everything a University of Denver sunset has to offer.

Sunset over Denvers Washington Park LakeImage taken at Washington Park Centennial Halls from Pinterest.com/AshStrick5280

5. Washington Park

Located a mile North of the University of Denver campus, Washington park provides spectators with an opportunity to experience beauty in an adventure off campus. With mountains and trees filling in the backdrop, the magical look is complete with a clear lake reflecting the world within. If you come in the spring and summer months, you may even see birds landing in the lake, adding to the sense of wilderness that one may find for a moment in the midst of a city scape.

Sunset over Rocky Mountains from Centennial HallsImage taken from the 10th floor of Centennial Halls by Alex Koon

4. Centennial Halls 10thFloor

For many first-year students, making the decision to live in one residence hall or another can be a headache. However, living in Centennial Halls (or befriending someone who does) sure comes with its benefits. Any resident may venture up to the 10thfloor lobby to witness the spectacular view of both the mountains and the city skyline. With a collection of shorter buildings in Denver, a 10-story residence hall is a treat for any site seeker.

Sunset over University of Denver CampusImage taken from the 5th floor of the SIE Complex from DU.edu

3. The SIE Complex 5thFloor

The SIE Complex is accessible to all DU community members, providing anyone with the opportunity to venture up to the striking 5thfloor. The modern building provides comfortable couches and billowing windows to watch the night sky creep in. In addition to the classic mountain view, sunset lovers also witness the picturesque view of the University of Denver campus from above, adding to the beauty of the sunset sky.

Pink sunset from Denver's Kunming ParkImage taken at Kunming Park by Alex Koon

2. Kunming Park

Most any warm Denver night, Kunming Park is filled with picnic blankets and photographers alike, all hoping to enjoy a near perfect view of the gorgeous mountain sky. Just West of the DU Campus, Kunming Park sits atop a small hill, creating the perfect opportunity for mountains to peak above the bustling neighborhood, an almost rare site from the ground in the University area.

Sunset from Evans Parking GarageImage taken from the Evans Parking Garage by Alex Koon

1. The Evans Parking Garage

Located on the Southeast corner of Evans and High street, the Evans Parking Garage is accessible for anyone to venture to the top. The steep incline combined with the open air provides a perfect 360 view of all that Denver has to offer. With mountains to the West, downtown to the North, and DU Campus to the East, it seems as though this entire sliver of the world is dazzled with color. At the top of the Evans Parking Garage, you are guaranteed to find beauty in any direction.