Bellarmine has transfer students across the grades every year. Some transfer students are also on international exchange programs. From second semester freshmen to second semester juniors, being a transfer is not an uncommon situation for many lions. The process looks different for each and every student, but common themes seem to pop-up across the board.

Teachers

For many new students, teachers are credited with acclimation and their understanding nature. 

Junior Carter Carness said, “if I have something going on, a teacher is more likely to ask ‘how can I help you learn?’” 

Across the board, the teachers seem to be a defining factor in getting students to become a part of the Bellarmine culture.

Academic rigor/ College push

Many transfer students, despite liking their teachers, either feel pushed too hard, or not pushed enough in their classes. Sophomore Luke Saalfeld said, “The only unit we’re doing this year that I didn’t do last year was limits, which I self-studied last year.” 

On the other hand, junior Cameron Ramirez, who transferred mid-year said, “Two of my classes I was just thrown in…my teachers told me to just read the books.” These differences in experiences could stem from the lack of a placement test for many classes, or a lack of a sufficient one for those that do.

Difficulty to make friends

Another part of the transfer experience is leaving your community, and going and trying to find new friends. Many transfers feel that although Bellarmine has a welcome atmosphere the cliques already in place made it difficult to find their place. 

Saalfeld said, “The people I actually hang out with are my old friends.” Although transfers eventually find their group, the ability to break through the pre-established ones, came as a difficulty for most.

Different course plans

The last emerging theme across the board was the difficulty to continue the learning plan that students had in place. For students who have had their goal classes planned for months or even years, the lack of flexibility within the administration and staff led to many frustrations. The rigorous allocations for when students can take certain classes differ from school to school, and this change can be very alarming for many people.

Overall transfer students seem to have learned to acclimate to the Bellarmine culture, but the ongoing question should be, how does this become an even easier process?