The accessibility of the professors! Friends at other universities always described their professors as inaccessible pedagogues. But most Carleton professors respond quickly to emails (at all hours of the day!), are available in their office frequently and genuinely interested in student learning.

The diversity amongst the students and their personalities truly amazed me.

There's such a variety of different pleasant smells here! When the wind blows from the Malt O'Meal Factory and they're making chocolate cereal, the world smells delicious. Those are good days.

I was expecting people to separate into social groups the way they did in high school, but this hasn't been the case at all. I can talk to anyone, and I couldn't point out any groups or label them with what they do or enjoy if I were asked.

I was surprised by just how much there is to do at Carleton. You'd have to make an effort to be bored around here. Between the plethora of student-run organizations to the constantly buzzing campus hot spots (including the Libe), Carleton always has an activity for every different type of person.

How quirky people are. People are always thinking of interesting things to do and it's just great to be part of it.

How much free stuff there is. There is almost an overload of Carleton sponsored meals, clubs and opportunities. You get your taxi paid for to visit the doctor, if you request a book through the library they will buy it for you, if you see a great event in the cities the student activities office will sponsor the transport as well as the tickets.

I'm surprised how even though I'm extremely busy with work, I can still manage to have fun and socialize.