The Oregon Extension (OE) is an intentional learning community in the mountains of Oregon, accredited through EMU and open to students from numerous Christian colleges. The OE centers around topics of nature, community, sustainability, and what it means to be human.
Academic Dean and professor of the Oregon Extension Heidi Gehman was on campus Monday and Tuesday of this week, distributing information about the OE. Gehman held an information session Monday evening to discuss the OE and answer questions, as well as hosting a table in the Campus Center to talk with students.
Senior Sarah Longenecker spent the fall semester of 2017 at the Oregon Extension and shared with us about her experience.
Longenecker said that her decision to attend the OE was influenced by her feelings about her relationship with school. “OE seemed like a more focused, more personal way of approaching learning,” she said. She noted that as a photography major, substantial reading and writing assignments are not a normal part of her curriculum, but are important to her in processing and expressing her beliefs. Time at the OE facilitated her work in these areas. Longenecker felt that the discussions and interactions with other students were engaging and meaningful because of the diversity of beliefs represented in the OE students. She also said that conversation and disagreement in a space of mutual vulnerability was positive for her. “I think one of the most valuable things for me at the OE was the inability to avoid conflict and to avoid confronting it. All of us had to learn how to communicate our frustrations in constructive ways.”
Some of the other highlights of the Oregon Extension for Longenecker included the outdoor engagement — backpacking, hiking, and exploring the nearby town of Ashland — and her personal growth as a writer. “I loved how intense the writing segments were and how much focus I was able to give to one single project/topic. I went in thinking I hated writing and came out looking at grad programs that are heavily focused on writing and research. That was the ultimate curveball.”
While the OE provided enjoyable experiences, Longenecker noted that it was also challenging. “I wish more people knew how academically rigorous the OE is. It’s not just a relaxing semester, though there is a lot excitement/fun involved, and it is in a lot of ways a peaceful environment. But the reading is difficult and the expectations for students are high.” She explained that “the OE was hard because you go really in depth into one book or one topic at a time. It’s not easier, it’s just hard in a different way. And it takes a lot of self-motivation/teaches self-motivation.”
Time at the Oregon Extension was valuable for Longenecker, and she said that she wished more people would seriously consider the program. She said, “I know it’s not for everyone… and it feels like a risk to choose to leave campus for a whole semester. I was really hesitant to do it. In fact, I almost cancelled my flight two days before the program started, but doing the OE is honestly the best decision I’ve made in college.”
