Coming from a public middle school before attending GDS, I rarely had the opportunity to engage in school activities outside the classroom. Despite the occasional field trip, there was little flexibility in teaching methods. When I arrived at GDS, I learned about minimester: a three-day experiential learning program where students take a break from regular classes and learn about topics they are interested in.
When I saw the options for the minimester tracks, I was confused but impressed; ranging from food, art, sports to travel, the options seemed endless. Now, as a junior, I have participated in three minimesters: one about art, one about baking and one about jazz.
Although I have greatly enjoyed my minimesters, there are students who choose to skip the program. Some of them go on college visits, go on vacation or stay at home during that time. However, it is vital that students attend minimester so they can explore topics that they otherwise may not have been exposed to in the traditional classroom setting.
Experiential learning program associate Michelle Mckeever takes the lead on organizing minimester. “The idea behind the program is to try to engage students at GDS in learning out of the classroom, get into passion areas and learn something new in a nontraditional way,” McKeever said. Minimester allows students to either dive deeper into a passion or learn about a new interest that they did not know before.
Before taking A Crash Course in Intersectional Feminist Art History my freshman year, I did not consider myself to be an art enthusiast. However, when we visited multiple fine arts museums in the D.C. area, I was immediately fascinated. Previously, I had never been exposed to art that was centered around non-male narratives, especially the kind concerned with ideas of feminism. That minimester introduced me to a passion that I did not know I had: art that conveys a message about identity. I now look at art with a new perspective that allows me to appreciate its beauty—something that I would not be able to do without this art minimester.
My sophomore year, I signed up for French Baking 101. In addition to learning how to bake a variety of French delicacies, the group also traveled around D.C. to renowned French bakeries to sample food. I still would not consider myself to be the world’s best baker, but the experience allowed me to get outside of my comfort zone and try something new. It was a chance for me to learn something outside an academic setting and explore a different culture.
Not only does minimester provide students with unconventional learning experiences but also with opportunities for connection. This year, I participated in Minimester Minitour, which was a three-day trip where jazz students performed at different jazz venues in Ohio. I formed a tight bond with my bandmates through technical difficulties with our car, long drives between gigs and performances. While a lot of my peers in the minimester were not in my grade or social circle, I can confidently say that the trip’s cohort feels like family. Over the three days, I enjoyed countless conversations and laughter with students I otherwise might not have crossed paths with.
When I asked McKeever about why she loves minimester, she said, “Minimester is a chance to get you out of your comfort zone and maybe learn something about yourself that you never thought you could do.” McKeever even said that one student was so inspired by the reproductive justice track that they went on to study to become an OB/GYN. Minimester allows students to gain a nuanced understanding of the world and their passions. It prepares them for opportunities to engage in activities outside a traditional academic setting.
Over the past three years, I recall my minimester tracks as some of my fondest memories; they have given me the opportunity to explore a different part of myself that allowed me to realize that I do in fact have passions for feminist expression, food and touring. I am so grateful that GDS has allowed me to have a multifaceted learning experience. Minimester provides a breadth of opportunities and allows students to home in on a variety of skills. I encourage students to take advantage of all the program has to offer. Learning outside the classroom—whether the topics are academic or not—is essential to providing students with a well-rounded education.