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Becoming a Belle

 It’s no secret that coming to a campus as large as UCLA can be very overwhelming. With

so many options for ways to become involved in campus life it can be hard to find the place

where you really feel like you fit. Coming in as a transfer student I feared finding my own place

within the UCLA student community. I elected to throw myself into as many activities as

possible at the beginning of my first quarter, but nothing I tried really seemed to fit. I always

heard from family and friends that it just takes time and so I stuck with a handful of them. Close

to the end of its application period I found Bruin Belles. On a whim, and with the encouragement

of friends, while home for a long weekend I decided to apply. At the time I couldn’t have known

how much this last minute application could become such a crucial part of my UCLA

experience.


While completing my application I read through blog posts like this one that mentioned

passions for community service, developing leadership skills, and creating meaningful bonds. All

of these were things I was interested in, but it seemed almost too good to be true. However, after

having become a part of this community and experiencing it for myself I am in complete

agreement. Since joining I have had so many meaningful experiences through community

outreach, have been able to take on leadership positions, and have formed what are sure to

become lifelong friendships. From the very beginning current members made me feel incredibly

welcomed, and every new member I met was so eager to get to know one another. It was an

immediate feeling that I had found my place. Ever since those first few events this feeling has

only grown, and the belles community has become the best part of my weekly routine. So far I

have gotten to experience many events that I never would have been a part of otherwise. It has

taught me skills in time management, leadership, and organization that will continue to stick with

me in all my future endeavors. Additionally it has also provided me with a community that I can

always count on. When becoming a belle you do not only gain opportunities for engagement

with the campus and community, but also a supportive and caring group of friends. Whether at

GM, fundraising on Bruinwalk, or attending long community outreach events, belles make it fun.


Belle Love,

Lindsey Baker
Social Director

Lindsey Baker
Social Director


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