I have attended Walden University for just about two years. In the beginning, it took time to adapt to online learning, but now I absolutely love it. Having the ability to submit assignments in a flexible environment is extremely helpful. I also enjoy communicating with students from all over the world.
In addition to sharing experiences with other students, I have learned to love writing. The PhD in Public Health program is writing intensive and it is important that I express my thoughts appropriately. The University also requires that assignments be grammatically correct. Recently, I dusted off my old grammar books to refresh my knowledge of sentence structure. After spending just a couple of hours reading, I found that I have been making some simple mistakes. I also realized that by tweaking my writing, I could become a better writer. Now I can rely less on spell check and more on my understanding. Becoming a good writer is an ongoing journey, but I can certainly say that I am on a better track. I never thought that attending a school would rekindle my love for writing.
As part of the PhD in Public Health program, I must also complete four academic residencies. During a residency, students travel domestically or internationally to learn more about their field of study and are introduced to thought leaders. Residencies also provide opportunities for students to participate in workshops. Since I love to travel I wanted to attend the residency in Hawaii, but it was too expensive. So, I decided to sign up for the residency in Lansdowne Virginia. The residency will be held from March 10-14th and I am very excited. Overall, my experience at Walden has been both challenging and satisfying. As an online learner, I have also uncovered some pleasant surprises. Every once in a while I wonder if I have made the right choice in attending Walden University. I can certainly say yes and I wish I would have known about Walden sooner.