Post by: Nigel Taylor

 

This is my second year being in the Wired program and I could not imagine having a better living experience at University of Kentucky. The best way to describe how the A&S Wired program has impacted my life is by describing where I am from. I am from Boston, Massachusetts and I came to the University of Kentucky knowing absolutely no one. There was a University of Kentucky Class of 2016 Facebook group and I was trying to meet people on that; however, the group was so large that it was hard to connect with people. 

 

My mother was looking more into the Living Learning Communities because she received an email from UK where she came across the A&S Wired Community. She instantly wanted me to sign up for it and mentioned the free iPad I would receive if I were accepted. I wasn't sure that this was something I was interested in. I  still had final papers and exams I was studying for or writing. Eventually, I applied and was accepted to the program. To my surprise, I fell in love with the Wired Program.

 

The Wired Program was incredible to me because it gave me a sense of belonging in a smaller community. The Wired Program eased my transition from high school to college by introducing me to about 250 students in the Wired Community. Students in Living Learning Communities get to move in before the majority of the campus. By the time the rest of the students at UK moved in, I had already made a lot of great friends who shared common interests and would hang out during different K Week events. 

 

A year later as a sophomore, the A&S Wired program still has an impact on me. The friendships I have made in the Wired program are still very strong and we still hang out on a regular basis, even though some people do not live on campus anymore. One of the major aspects that I like is that I am taking a lot of classes with people who were in the Wired program. In addition, if I ever need help on a project or just need someone to talk to, I can always count on some of the friends that I met in Wired. The Wired program is more than just a program, it builds a community and strong friendships. Through the Wired program, I have met many people who have been there for me at times when I thought no one was. Although I left my family in Boston, I created a new family with the bonds and friendships I have made through the Wired Community.