Parting Ways — Goodbye To WWC
Jake Navarro | December 11, 2024
Goodbyes come in different shapes and sizes, shaped by context, different emotions, reasons and feelings. Writing has been my constant throughout this semester, my way of making sense of it all. As such, it feels right that my final goodbye takes the same form. With this last column, I hope to offer a resolution to this experience, an opportunity to reflect on what a semester at Warren Wilson College (WWC) has been like, on what I think about the college, the people and my time here.
When I learned I was placed at WWC, I was thrilled. My one wish was to be placed with my friend Kyle Cassar Cardona. So, when it came true, it felt euphoric. We did not care where we were going, what we would study or who we would meet. Our dream had landed squarely in our laps, as such, we had everything we wanted. We planned our farewell, said our goodbyes and at 21, set off to spend five months across the globe in the United States of America.
On arrival, the campus felt deserted. At that time, it was just a handful of international students in a quiet valley in the Appalachian Mountains. As more students arrived, the challenges deepened, and we met people different from us. Rather, we were very different from them. We struggled to engage, to converse and to make friends. WWC is a “work college,” a term we understood in theory, but not so much in practice. I was placed on the Carpentry Crew, which, as much as I admired the craft, did not feel like my thing. So, the initial days were tough. Was this the dream Cassar Cardona and I envisioned? The American experience we had longed for? Home was such an attractive prospect, and I had overlooked it. Running was my only recourse, and yearning for some aspect of comfort.
But then classes started, and with it a kind of routine. I met my school-appointed “buddy”, Emily Cobb, who was ultimately the reason I joined The Echo. Then, things started changing, the pieces began to fall into place. I wrote my first article, spotted my first bear and grew more familiar with Swannanoa and downtown Asheville. New friendships began to form, and WWC did not feel so daunting anymore.
Then, Helene hit. The hurricane was disorientating, scary, tumultuous and chaotic. On a personal note, it allowed Cassar Cardona and me to travel around the States, meet new people, strengthen our relationships and learn to appreciate everything a bit more. But it feels somber to talk about, particularly when it caused so much devastation to so many people. Whatever the description, Helene became a part of my story here, a chapter I will carry forever.
Trying to sum up my time at WWC is no easy task, specifically because of how unique this place is. WWC has challenged me – its bubble can be tough to deal with, isolating at times. Most will be welcoming, some less so. Integrating into different patterns of life and value systems is tough - especially coming from the other side of the world. But, with time and the right people, it became memorable.
My time here has taught me the beauty of culture, the diversity of people and the uniqueness of perspective. It has given me friends I’ll treasure forever - Cobb, Nassime Ghatrif, Max Charles, Trevor Nail, Shuree Ochirbat, Krista Rostén, the international community and many others - whilst forging a friendship for a lifetime with Cassar Cardona. It has let me experience the “Halloween” experience, Thanksgiving and an election. It has allowed me to pursue my passions – writing and running - against the backdrop that is rural Swannanoa. It has allowed me to introspect, critically debate with professors, students and others, to acquaint myself with U.S. law, history, politics and social context - and to broaden my knowledge. Above all, it has allowed me to grow and forge a better version of myself.
Now, every encounter feels heavier. A few weeks ago, “What’s up” was just that. Now, it is not as casual, but a question of whether I will see that person again. Walks to Gladfelter are more than just walks, but repeated opportunities to soak in the Appalachian landscape. Classes are not just classes, but chances for last conversations. Every day is not just another day, but one step closer to closing this chapter, one I will never forget.
Massive gratitude goes to all who played a part in shaping this journey, and to WWC for this beautiful chapter. For now, this is goodbye.