#iamExeter: Pearl ’29

What led you to Exeter in the first place? What were some of the things that drew you to apply to Exeter?

I knew that I wanted to apply to boarding schools in the United States from the moment my mom showed me a few schools online when I was around 10. As somebody who always learned best through participating in class, I was particularly drawn to Exeter because of its discussion-based approach to learning. The facilities and opportunities offered at Exeter were also beyond incredible. I knew the life-changing high school experience I was looking for was available only at Exeter.

Have you found a favorite spot on campus to hang out at? Your comfort zone?

During the fall, I started going to Goel because I was part of IMANI (Exeter’s hip-hop group) as well as a small play. However, as the year progressed, I started to stop by Goel more in my free time. I found a spot in the building where the sun always shines through the glass walls. Now, I go to Goel almost every day to study and dance (and take naps!).

You were a new student not that long ago, what advice would you give a new student?

I would remind them that comparison is the thief of joy. Although it might sound cliche, everybody has their own path at Exeter, and it’s unfair on yourself to constantly expect nothing less than perfection. There could be times when you feel like you’re struggling a lot more than your peers, but you should never bring yourself down for having experiences and outcomes that weren’t what you hoped for. Everybody struggles at Exeter, and the quicker you accept the fact that life won’t always run smoothly, the more you can take away from your time here.

If you live in a dorm, what’s it like living there? If you’re a day student, what’s it like being affiliated with a dorm?

I love Bancroft so much because of its size. I’m especially grateful for vertical housing, and I don’t think that Exeter would be the same without it.

My dorm faculty are extremely friendly, and I absolutely love the Bancroft traditions. One example is soup night, where every Croftie (students affiliated with Bancroft) paints their own mug sometime during the winter term and the whole dorm is surprised with a night where every dorm faculty member brings a pot of homemade soup.

I was having quite a rough time adapting to the winter weather and schedule, so when I saw the copious amounts of soup and freshly made bread, I was so touched by how much the faculty truly cared about the students. I also love the memories I’ve made with my roommate, whether it’s practicing hacky sack in our room or having a cleaning marathon.

What’s something that surprised you about Exeter that you didn’t expect?

Although I always knew that Exeter would be a transformative experience, I couldn’t quite guess how. Exeter encouraged me to appreciate my Japanese culture and incorporate it into how I present/view myself more. I am also beyond grateful for all my friends here, because they have taught me so much about the world. The constant collaboration here has taught me how much you can learn from others, even in non-academic settings.