Madison, Wisconsin is my home. It has been for the past five years. I have grown in ways I never thought. Most evidently, the people I have met made my college experience so special.
I first visited Madison in the beginning of my senior year in high school for an official recruiting swim trip. I flew from Denver to Minneapolis and then into Madison. I remember looking out the window and seeing the city for the first time - a city on an isthmus lodged between two lakes. I fell in love with the vibrant colors around campus; the natural blues and greens from the lake contrasted the Badger red. What is super unique about Madison is that the campus is integrated throughout the city, creating a strong community.
I was focused on swimming in college and after the bust of falling out of interest in California schools, I narrowed my search on two: UW-Madison and Northwestern University. I knew I never wanted to go to Northwestern; I just knew it wouldn’t be a good fit for me so I was banking on being able to see myself living in Madison.
I met other girls on the recruiting trip; two of them being my future roommates and best friends. While being on campus, everything seemed to click and feel natural. The team was very welcoming and open about sharing their experiences. We went to a football game and it was overwhelming to see so many people in red, but the Midwest culture reminded me of my home in Boulder.
If I were to write about all my experiences and love for the city, it still wouldn’t be enough to express how I feel. Most moments seem to glide by and I do my best to be present, while others are ingrained into my memory. For instance, the intersection between Dayton and Mills reminds me of biking over the train tracks to and from classes, Camp Randall, the Nick, and the old Natatorium. The student-athlete facility in Camp Randall reminds me of all the times I slept on the floor in between classes. The basketball court reminds me of when Alivia, Elizabeth, and I snuck onto the floor to shoot some basketballs. The lawn outside of engineering was where I played spike ball and frisbee. Gordon’s dining hall was where we all ate together, made fun of each other, and questioned our life choices. There are countless more stories and every time I think of one, it makes me smile.
The lakes are absolutely beautiful. Sitting at the terrace is an all time favorite of mine. Picnic point is also a nice flavor of nature that is close by. I enjoy running on the trail and looking across the lake to see the Capitol. The summer after my junior year, I joined the sailing club. I learned to sail an 18ft boat called a Sloop sailboat and took my friends onto lake Mendota. Since none of them knew how to sail, I became very stressed in high winds and yelled at them to lean out of the boat to counteract the heel. One time, on the Fourth of July, we sailed across the entire lake to look at a water tower and found ourselves stuck in the sand. I had to jump into the water and move the boat to unlodge the centerboard. I thought we would have to get towed back and I would be suspended from the club. Luckily, we made it. I think I kissed the ground when we got off the boat.
I could go on about the buildings on campus where humanities looks like a sad concrete block, the historical society is the best place to study, and computer science reeks of body odor. I could also go down the rabbit hole of my favorite restaurants but I’ll spare you the time (Vintage, Canteen, and Forage to name a few). Don’t even get me started on the farmers market because that is the best Saturday morning activity.
All in all, Madison is a hidden gem. Yes, the winters are bone-chilling cold. Though, the spring and fall makeup for the six months of winter. I’m very proud to be a Badger. As the last couple of weeks of my undergrad wrap up, I’m reminiscing on my time here from the good, the bad, and the very uncanny ugly.
