Emily Carbone ‘28
Chief Features Editor
As I begin my junior year at Holy Cross, I can’t help but look around and admire the different moments and people that have made my experience so special. In the past two years, I’ve grown and changed immeasurably, and had the privilege to learn and grow much at Holy Cross. While many of my junior peers have had the traditional experience of spending the past two years at Holy Cross, others have taken a different path. A number of friends that I’ve made in the past year did not spend their freshman year at Holy Cross, and transferred here after beginning their college experiences elsewhere.
While I treasure the experience at Holy Cross that I’ve had so far, I began to wonder if being a transfer student offered a different perspective on the college experience. I decided to interview one of my friends, Conor Kozak, ‘28, about his experience at Holy Cross after transferring here from the Catholic University of America after his first year.
Overall, Conor has adored his Holy Cross experience. He attributes his love of the school to “the friendships and relationships (he has) been able to make with classmates, professors and staff members at Holy Cross.”
Despite the fact that many students had already established friendships in first year, he never found meeting new people or engaging with classmates to be difficult for him as a sophomore transfer student. “Everyone was always so welcoming,” he added. “Holy Cross feels like a home away from home.”
Conor felt as though the main challenges in transferring were academic. “The academic rigor and pace of Holy Cross is much higher than my previous college. People’s expectations are higher, too. I definitely have always felt a little behind classmates due to requirements.” However, he found his footing rather quickly. “Everyone has always been happy to give me help when needed. My professors made all the difference,” he explained.
The challenges Conor faced ultimately allowed him to gain a deeper appreciation of Holy Cross. When asked if he gained a greater love for Holy Cross as a transfer student, he replied “100%.” He explained that “having the comparison of another college makes me appreciate where I am and the opportunities that HC provides more.”
One year in, Conor’s experience at Holy Cross has blossomed into one that has “changed his life.” Through his classes, his professors, and his classmates, he was able to find his place within the community and make Holy Cross feel like home.
Holy Cross welcomes a growing number of transfer students each year. With them, our community gains the new perspectives of students with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Our transfer students show us that there is no singular path to being a key part of the Holy Cross community, and without them, our campus would not be the same!
Copy edited by Annamaria DeCamp ’27
Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross
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