Josephine Burkett highlights the vibrant atmosphere of the university community and the excitement of exploring the boundless opportunities within the UI Honors Program. Recalling her own start at Iowa, she describes a very special honor first-year seminar.

Dear Prospective Student,

First off, congratulations! You have finally reached high school graduation and will soon be off to bigger and better things! While this new chapter of your life may come with triumphs and tribulations, your Hawkeye family is excitedly waiting to walk you through the next (and best) four years of your life. I hope that this letter helps you envision what great experiences you will have here at the University of Iowa!

Let me introduce myself before going much further. My name is Josephine Burkett, and I am originally from Winterset, Iowa, a small town southwest of Des Moines. I am currently finishing my first year here at the University of Iowa and am studying Human Physiology on the Pre-Physical Therapy track. For me, college is about making connections and exploring my many interests! It is a time of transition and a perfect time to try new things and discover who you are as a person! The opportunities are endless here at the University of Iowa and you are sure to find your special group of people to find a home in.

Something that I absolutely love about the University of Iowa and Iowa City is the liveliness that students and the surrounding community creates. Whether you go for a late-night run for ice cream or participate in the Iowa City Christmas shenanigans, there is always something to do for everyone! My biggest piece of advice is to go out and explore downtown with friends. You may just find your new favorite thing!

I knew that I wanted to attend the University of Iowa from a young age, and I have never looked back! Every time I believe that I cannot love this university any more than I already do, something surprises me and reminds me why I am here. One thing that specifically attracted me to Iowa was the chance to volunteer in the hospitals and participate in research as an undergraduate student. These opportunities were extremely important to me because they set students up to be successful in their field of study. Another aspect I loved about Iowa was the UI Honors Program and the resources it provided for its students. I have found such a special community of diverse students and staff that I can lean on for support and guidance.

One of my best and most memorable experiences in the honors program so far was my first-year seminar. As part of our work for class, my small group of classmates attended live music performances throughout Iowa City in the evenings and shared our reflections on these experiences. At the end of the semester, we even got to do our own live performance after rehearsing as a small group for a few weeks. I was able to meet some amazing people through this experience and was able to explore Iowa City in a capacity that was unique to my own personal interests!

I hope that this letter has given you a little insight into the life of a student here at the University of Iowa and that you are excited for your next adventure. Although this transition may be stressful, We are here to help! You may contact Honors Outreach Ambassadors, Honors Peer Mentors or any of the Honors Professional Staff with any questions! We look forward to seeing you on campus!

Best,

Josephine Burkett