By Alysia C. Jeske

Having recently graduated from Trinity Western University, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my time at school. I have been to two universities in these past four years and each has been quite different from the other. I first studied through International Christian Institute (ICI), a department of Global University, in Germany; then I moved to Canada, and attended Trinity Western University (TWU) in Langley, B.C.

With self-directed studies through ICI, I developed a discipline that has benefited me to this day. There was no one to tell me how much to study, when to study, or even what to study. As a matter of fact, I would practically make my own syllabus for each course. I had to determine for myself what I was going to do, and then I needed to follow through. It was actually quite a freeing experience.

Then I transferred to TWU. It was also a good experience, but in a different way. I remember one of the first differences was the helpfulness of the teachers. From having no teachers at all, I suddenly had many teachers to ask about the course material. They were consistently helpful. In addition, I remember how pleasantly surprised I was when I took my first mid-term there, and the professor prayed for us before we started. It meant so much to me; I felt so encouraged.

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While I have had positive experiences at both universities, the changes that happened during my studies were not always easy. When I was studying through ICI, I was living in Berlin. The transition from Germany to Canada was not an easy one. Yet, through all these changes, God has remained the same. In addition to learning academics, which I am grateful for, God has also taught me about his character, his faithfulness in every circumstance.

I have also learned not to serve the dream – even a dream I believe God has given me – but to serve the God who gave me the dream. It is so easy to become sidetracked when we focus on the ‘dream’ rather than God. Though I am pursuing the dreams God has placed in my heart, I recognize – first and foremost – that God is the king of my heart, and I follow him.

The mysteriously wonderful part is that, as I seek God himself, he fulfills the dreams of my heart. He is so good. I do not have all the answers yet – but I do know that God is leading me, and has good plans ahead. All he asks is that I trust and follow him. So, whatever university you choose, or wherever you are currently at, honour God in everything – and he will honour you.

Options Fall 2007