Reporter

It all started with a letter.

When I opened the manila envelope from the Horatio Alger Association last fall, I had no idea that my entire life would change.

I had big plans for after my graduation from Wesley College in Dover, Del. I was going to move to New York and live in Park Slope. I was going to be an Associated Press writer for 10 years and then apply at Reuters and travel the world writing news copy. 

Then came the letter.

For the first time ever, the association in conjunction with the University of Montana and the Dennis Washington Association were offering a graduate fellowship. And suddenly, staring at the Times New Roman font, I knew I was going to come to Montana and work for my master’s degree.

One fellowship application, graduation, a plane ride and three bags later, I landed in Missoula.

I spent years travelling as a child with my family, but I’d still never been to any place quite like Missoula. That’s not to say I didn’t have my doubts. Moving 3,000 miles away from everyone I knew was a scary proposition. I had no idea what to expect.    

I was thrilled to discover it was a perfect fit. 

My chosen program, print journalism, is wonderful. Pragmatic, enthused, experienced: these are just a handful of words to describe my professors and fellow classmates. I don’t think I could possibly choose a better place to learn how to perfect my writing craft. 

So far as the general community of Missoula is concerned, people are genuinely happy to be here and it shows. Everyday life in this community is a pleasure. Sure there’s smoke from wildfires, but the East Coast has hurricanes.

And one less writer. 

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