SUMMER 2022 ALUMNI: MICHAEL RENDON

How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?

Interlochen Arts camp, it’s in the name, but it’s not just 1 type of “art”, but almost every type of art. Depending on what you are interested in, there’s definitely a class/major for it. Music, Painting, Film, acting, fashion, dance and more is everywhere. All of us stayed in cabins with around 12 people or more (varied). Everyone who lived in the cabin with you usually majored in something different.

What is a typical day like during your EP?

Waking up at 6 in the morning everyday, head outside with your cabin mates for lineup, get news for the day, then head back to the cabin. When everyone heads back to the cabins we have to do capers (chores basically) and clean up the cabin before we can leave for breakfast. Once that's done, we can head for breakfast (usually starts at 7-7:30)at this big cafeteria, which is like a 1 min walk from the cabins. After breakfast we would head to our first class of the day or session (depending on what you major in) and usually do that until lunch/ free period at 11. After that, you stay doing your classes/sessions until 4:40-5. Which is when they usually serve dinner. After dinner, you are free to do whatever you want. Tuesdays - Saturdays were when classes usually run, Monday and Sunday is considered as the “weekend”, where we don’t have classes and do what we want all day. For the most part, you never stay inside your cabin all day because there was always something to do outside, plus the weather was super nice there.

What was the biggest challenge of your EP?

If you go in not knowing anyone at all, and coming by yourself, it might feel uncomfortable trying to adjust with everything and making friends. You also may experience homesickness for the first couple of days, but it wears off quickly once you get used to everything.

What was the biggest reward of your EP?

Coming out with new experiences and insight was the biggest reward for me personally. O definitely feel like I learned a lot being on my own for the first time, for 3 weeks, in somewhere I’ve never been before. It was a lot to take in but looking back on it, it was a really positive experience. I’ve learned and met new people, as well as learned more about myself during my stay at Interlochen.

What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?

I wish that I had known to not overthink the whole thing. I feel like I overthought a lot of the things that were going to happen in my EP and I kind of stressed about it before I left. There were a lot of things that I felt I needed to prepare for, before leaving, but turned out that I didn’t have too. I definitely over complicated a lot of things.

What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?

I would honestly just say to go with the flow. Let the experience take you. Don’t overthink or complicate things for yourself before going because you will get stressed. Then when the whole thing is over, you realize you stressed over nothing. Make the best that you can while you’re at Interlochen. It’s definitely an experience that I couldn’t have imagined gone any better. Don’t be nervous or afraid before leaving home, and stay excited.