Name:   Isabelle Thonicke
Hometown:  Alpen, Germany
Class Year: 2007
Major:  Anthropology and Sociology, Concentration in Sociology

How I first heard about Wells:
Wells sent me a letter because I was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an international Honor Society, at the community college that I was attending at the time.

Why I chose to attend Wells:
I really liked that Wells was such a small college. 
Every time I called and asked questions people took the time to answer my questions, and they called me back if necessary.  I also loved the location; Aurora is a very cute town and I love living right by a lake. It is gorgeous!

Adjusting to Wells as an International Student:
Moving to a different country can be very challenging and is not always easy.  Wells helps you to adjust to a new environment and makes the transition easier for you.  The great thing about Wells is that it is such a small college.  People here will know you after a couple of days and everyone is so helpful.  All you have to do is ask for help and people will be there for you.  There is also a club for International Students, where you can get together with students from other countries, as wells as other Wells students, who also join the club to celebrate and learn more about different cultures. 

Academics and Opportunities:
The thing I love most about Wells are my classes.  The professors here are very good and they really care about their students.  I have learned so much here. There are many opportunities to do internships and work on independent study projects with the professors.  We have a Career Service office and they will help you find internships; the school also has a close connection to alumnae who can help you get internships. I think Wells is a great liberal arts college that gives every student who comes here a solid foundation of academics and life skills. 

Diversity on Campus:
At Wells College diversity is valued very much.  We have students from all different kinds of backgrounds, ethnicities, countries, and religions.  Everyone is very open-minded and tolerant. 

What I am involved in on campus:
I have been a member of the Red Cross Club for the past two semesters.  We organize several Blood Drives throughout the semester and do other community activities.  I am also a member of the Concert Choir.  We meet three times a week to rehearse. At the end of every semester we have a concert on campus. Sometimes we also perform off campus.

Campus Safety:
I have always felt safe here at Wells.  We have campus security officers on campus; they are always around and there for you if you need them.  If you are not comfortable walking around at night, they will escort you to any place on campus or in town.  Wells is a very safe place. 

Transportation and Getting to Wells:
The Transportation Department at Wells does an amazing job at providing transportation for the students.  We have a van service that goes to Ithaca several times a day, every day of the week.   There are many restaurants, shops and a mall in Ithaca, to enjoy. Getting to Wells from the airport (or bus station) in Ithaca or Syracuse is not a problem at all.  The van will pick you up when you come to Wells and will also take you there after the semester is over or for breaks when you want to go home or visit friends.