When I first came to Miami University as an international student, the idea of an “Honors College” was completely foreign. Where I come from, such a thing didn’t exist, so I had no idea what it was, or what I was missing out on. I didn’t apply to the Honors College because I simply didn’t know what it offered.
It wasn’t until a professor nominated me that I found myself officially part of it, and looking back, I am grateful that they did. Miami’s Honors College has opened doors, broadened my perspective and given me a platform to take my education into my own hands in ways I never imagined.
At first glance, people might think the Honors College is only for the ultra-prepared, the high achievers who already know what they want from college. But in my experience, it’s a place for students who want to push beyond the typical college experience, regardless of where they started.
Since joining, I’ve had many transformative experiences: I joined the Undergraduate Leadership Internship Program Cohort, secured an internship that expanded my career goals and took life-changing classes that have shifted my worldview. It’s been a journey that transformed not only my academics, but also my confidence and sense of purpose.
One of the most valuable aspects of the Honors College is its small, seminar-style classes. In these classes, professors know my name, understand my perspective as an international student and challenge me in uniquely personal ways. This intimate setting creates a safe space to share my experiences and learn from others.
And the best part? I am not just being lectured to — I am an active part of the conversation. This type of engagement doesn’t happen often in large classes, where it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd.
Even more impactful than the classes has been the mentorship. My mentors have taken the time to understand my interests and career goals. These connections and support have been invaluable; they’ve helped me navigate both the academic and professional worlds in ways I could not have done alone.
Outside the classroom, the Honors College also promotes experiential learning that has reshaped my outlook on leadership and service. Miami encourages honors students to take part in community service and leadership initiatives. As an international student, the chance to immerse myself in these experiences was both thrilling and, at times, daunting. But each opportunity I took taught me something new about myself, and each has helped me grow.
For those who think the Honors College is only about academics, I can tell you that it goes much deeper. Research backs this up: the National Collegiate Honors Council has found that the unique support and mentorship in honors programs make students more resilient, motivated and academically successful than their non-honors peers.
But these numbers don’t fully capture the difference the Honors College makes for students like me. It has helped me find my voice, given me the tools to take charge of my education and prepared me for the challenges ahead.
This is not to say that students cannot find similar opportunities outside the Honors College; they certainly can, but it takes initiative, proactiveness and a self-starter approach to do this — qualities that are often more easily cultivated with a surrounding community of like-minded individuals. Being in an environment where peers share the same drive for personal and academic growth has helped me step out of my comfort zone, take risks and ultimately shape my college experience into something much more than I could have imagined.
This leaves me with one key question: Why shouldn’t Miami itself strive to be one big Honors College?
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This vision isn’t just a nice idea; It’s a project that would benefit every student. These aren’t perks that should be limited to a select group of high-achieving students; they’re the kind of experiences that should define the university experience for everyone.
Yet as appealing as this idea is, the current reality of American higher education makes it nearly impossible to achieve. Education systems today prioritize mass enrollment and efficiency, often at the expense of personal attention and depth. The large lecture halls, standardized testing, and cookie-cutter curriculum are necessary to serve a broad student population, but they fall short of what a high-level, personalized education offers. Transforming Miami into a campus-wide honors experience would require an overhaul of campus culture and the broader educational framework — a challenge that’s not easy to overcome.
So, to any student considering this opportunity, especially those from abroad who may feel intimidated or unsure, take the leap.
Even if we can’t transform the entire university into one collective honors experience overnight, we can and should work toward a future where every student has the support, challenge and sense of belonging that an honors education provides.
Anastasija Mladenovska is a third-year political science, accounting and Russian, East European & Eurasian studies triple major from Macedonia. She is involved with the Honors College and is a resident assistant. She also volunteers for the League of Women Voters of Oxford.
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