Chelsea Dixson -- Junior -- Corbett HS (OR) **currently studying abroad in Brazil**

The University of Redlands is a sunny, green oasis in the middle of red-orange lands which grow into maroon-purple mountains. Almost every day is warm, with beautiful blue skys, palm treen, and grandfather oak trees. The sometimes overwhelming heat during the day is balanced by the relieving cold at night, it is the desert after all. Students are very friendly, their happy moods seem to be reflective of the wonderful weather. There are tons of different activities, clubs, lectures, and concerts for almost every interest you might have. The university also has the Johnston Center for Integrated Studies, something that few other schools have The Johnston Center is a very unique place, where myrals cover the walls, students play music, sunbathe, dance and converse on the lawn. It is an alternate way of living and learning, where the responsibility of your education is in your hands. You are free to design your own major, pick your own classes and alter any classes you are in. You recieve written elvaluations instead of grades. There are Johnston Community meetings every week to discuss, and decide apon different issues from the Johnston budget, to planning parties. The Johnston Center is its own community within the greater community of the University. It is a place of brilliant minds, and spontaniousity, where the extremeties of everything are present. Furniture sculptures, midnight basement breakfest meals, lawn yoga and tai-chi, and random 80's dance parties are normal occurances, and are what sets the Johnston Center apart from the rest of the University. I love that place, and would not want to go anywhere else. The university does not have an excellent art, or theater department, but they are working on it, and its not bad, its just not amazing, like some of the other science, english, and social science departments. There are amazing professors, and most of the class sizes are small- compared to a state college, so it is actually possible to have a relashionship with you teacher. So, if you are looking for an alternative way to learn, other than conventional education which we all know is disfunctional, come to the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies. If you are the kind of person who needs some structure, but want to be in a community living situation, come to the University of Redlands, and request to live in the Johnston Center, but do the regular major, grade thing. Or if you just want to do the normal College thing, are looking for a good quality education, and your sick of the rain, come to the U of R. -Chelsea Dixon, class of 2007