Bastyr is challenging and enlivening, and has surpassed all my expectations. The community is supportive, engaging and educational. It's the perfect environment for an individual to reach his or her best potential as a healer.
I've found that the faculty is excellent at what they do. They came here because they want to teach, not just conduct research, so they are committed to students. In the herbal sciences program, there is a very interesting array of professors with different specialties and backgrounds.
The medicinal herb garden is an integral part of my studies. I am starting to speak the language of herbs, and I don't believe you can just learn that from a book. You have to go out and see the herbs; you have to grow them, harvest them and make preparations from them. That's the experience necessary to heal with herbs and to be healed by them. The forest is amazing too — I exercise on the trails and I go out to the woods to study and harvest plants. And the fact that the school facility used to be a seminary gives it an incredible feeling. I sometimes study, meditate or do yoga in the chapel.
I'm a peer advisor for the admissions department, and I make sure people know Bastyr's programs are very rigorous. Also, I tell new students it's a good idea to show up early, meet people and become oriented to the school before classes start, because you start in high gear. It's important to know what kind of career you are looking for and determine whether a Bastyr education will help you get there.
I'm grateful to be able to be here. Bastyr has opened my mind, opened my heart and softened my perspective so that I can expand into who I am meant to be.
