From: FLI@Colby Date: June 15 Subject: [FLI] Info Session Recording + Story Time
Photo from FLI@Colby during an Allen Island trip Spring 2023.
Dear First_Name,
Thank you to everyone who attended our first FLI@Colby info session! It was a pleasure to meet some of you and answer your questions. If you weren’t able to join us, don’t worry. Below is the recording of the full Zoom session. Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us by email.
INFO SESSION RECORDING
If you have any trouble accessing the video, please let us know and we’ll be happy to help. You can also use this link to view the recording: https://youtu.be/DPiKE22ZfU0
STORY TIME
by Gadiel Montero '27
Hello everyone! My name is Gadiel Montero. Some of you may have already seen my name in a few emails this summer, but I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself more personally. I am one of the FLI Summer Program Assistants, and this upcoming year I will continue working with FLI@Colby as a Program Assistant. I am also a rising senior majoring in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience, which is honestly crazy to say because it feels like I was just a first-year yesterday.
I came to Colby as a first-generation, low-income student, and I did not know much about the college before coming here. I ended up at Colby through the Posse Foundation, so shoutout to all the Texans out there! I am also not originally from the United States, and English is my second language. I have grown a lot in my speaking and writing, but when I was getting ready to come to Colby, those summer months were definitely overwhelming. Choosing classes, talking to my advisor, understanding financial aid, and figuring out what college was even going to be like felt like a lot. My parents supported me in every way they could, but because they had not gone through the U.S. college system themselves, there were many things I had to learn as I went.
To make things even more interesting, I broke my foot right before coming to Colby. I spent most of that summer at home, not knowing how much I would even be able to walk once I arrived on campus. I was nervous about starting college in general, but also about feeling behind, needing help, and being different from everyone else. But when I got here, I quickly realized that I was not alone. Pre-O was one of the first spaces where I felt welcomed. Even with my broken foot and barely being able to walk, people were patient and understanding. During tours, they waited for me, checked in on me, and made sure I was included. Those small moments made a big difference.
One of the most meaningful experiences I have had through FLI was participating in a Jan Plan backpacking trip to Mexico. I had never backpacked before, but Misa, our previous FLI Assistant Director, created a course that gave us the chance to travel, learn, develop leadership and build community together. The feeling of belonging on that trip was so genuine. The group kept meeting even after we returned, and some of those people are still good friends of mine today.
One of my favorite memories from that trip was visiting a local ranch in Mexico, where we learned how to make tortillas and goat cheese. It was one of those moments where I realized that learning at Colby does not only happen in a classroom. It can happen through travel, through conversations, through trying something new, and through being surrounded by people who make you feel comfortable being yourself.
That experience encouraged me to keep stepping into new opportunities. Later, I joined a small FLI group on a trip to the AMC cabins in the Appalachian Mountains. One thing I have learned to appreciate about Maine is the nature and scenery. And if the outdoors is not usually your thing, do not worry. There are many ways to experience it without feeling like you have to be an expert or struggle through it. On that trip, we got to canoe, kayak, and spend time by a beautiful lake. It became another reminder that trying something unfamiliar can lead to some of the best memories.
I enjoyed that trip so much that we did it again. This time, Yahaira (my girlfriend), the other summer assistant, and I helped plan and lead the trip ourselves. That was something I had never done before, and it showed me how much I had grown since my first year. I went from being the student who was nervous, confused, and unsure of where I belonged, to helping create spaces where other students could feel welcomed and supported.
For me, FLI has been an instrumental part of my Colby experience. It has given me the tools to explore things I otherwise might not have tried, helped me step out of my comfort zone, and supported me through the process. More importantly, it has helped me find community.
To the incoming students reading this: it is completely normal to feel nervous, overwhelmed, or unsure. You do not need to have everything figured out before you arrive. You belong here, and there are people who are excited to meet you, support you, and help you find your place at Colby. I am really looking forward to meeting you all soon.
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We’ll be sharing helpful content, updates, and tips that may be useful as you get ready to come to Colby. You can also let us know what kind of videos or information you would like to see before you arrive!
Emailfli@colby.eduto get in touch with one of our team members. We would love to get to know you and to answer any questions or tell you more about the program!
