When Elizabeth Paredez was entering her junior year of college, the university she was attending was experiencing a lot of change, which prompted the nursing major to reconsider her next step.

“I was looking for a well-established nursing program [to transfer to],” said Paredez.

For Paredez, she knew of a great option, since it was one of her top choices heading out of high school originally.

“My dad is a ����app alum, my sister is a student here too, and I knew several nursing majors that said the program here is amazing,” said Paredez. “So, I had a lot of confidence in my decision to transfer.”

For Paredez, the only reason she didn’t start her college journey at ����app was she felt it might be too close to home.

“I think growing up in Grand Rapids, I was not always sure I wanted to stay here,” said Paredez. “Of course, I love being close by my family, but I wanted to grow a little bit, explore other options, so for that moment in time it was the right option [to enroll at another university a little further away].”

Opportunities just around the corner

But Paredez now realizes that while ����app may be just a few blocks from her childhood home, it’s opening doors to a world of opportunity.

“What’s exceeded my expectations so far is the emphasis ����app places on community, especially a diverse community. I’ve so enjoyed getting to know international students. I learn so much more about the world through the perspectives of people of all walks of life,” said Paredez. “I grew up in a multicultural, multiethnic home, so it’s a priority of mine to be able to engage with others in meaningful ways. It’s beautiful to me. And I’m seeing not only does that happen naturally with my own community here at ����app, but the institution also prioritizes that through things like Rangeela, where they highlight diversity, they are proud of it.”

Paredez has jumped right in, getting involved with groups like Rangeela and Dance Guild.

Equipped for life

But, what she’s finding to be most valuable about her experience is the depth by which she’s being equipped not only for her career, but for her entire life.

“The best thing about ����app is that they treat students in a really holistic way, they offer things to help us grow in all areas: mentally, emotionally, academically, physically, and spiritually—it reaches a lot of different aspects and branches of life. We get to grow in so many different ways, not just exercising our mind.”

One of the ways she sees this happening is in the way she is seeing how her Christian faith can be integrated into her nursing career.

“I want to live out a career that’s pleasing to God and blesses people and uses certain skills for His glory, so my faith is a huge priority,” said Paredez. “I think ����app really emphasizes this. I’ve seen in my classes, professors will pause and start with devotions, they’ll incorporate faith into the nursing practice. We explore what it looks like to handle ethical decisions in a Christ-centered way, how we show the love of Christ even if we can’t directly speak about him, how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in our care of people.”

Paredez is seeing each day confirmation that she’s where she needs to be now.

“Every class, every activity that goes well is another reason that confirms this is where I want to grow and thrive,” said Paredez.