Finding My Place by Helping Others Find Theirs by Josh

Finding My Place by Helping Others Find Theirs by Josh - March 2026 Scholarship Essay

A year ago, I was the quiet student standing near the back of a campus tour, listening carefully and wondering if I could truly picture myself at the University of Arkansas. Like many prospective students, I was trying to imagine what my future might look like in a place that still felt unfamiliar. At the time, I did not realize that just a year later, I would be the one standing at the front of the tour, helping other students navigate that same moment.

When I first became a student ambassador at the University of Arkansas, I felt slightly underqualified. I wondered if I fit the image of what a tour guide should be and worried about whether I would always have the right answers. However, as I began giving tours and meeting more prospective students and their families, I quickly realized that the most meaningful part of the experience was not the tour itself. It was the people.

Each group I meet includes students who are trying to make one of the most important decisions of their lives. Because I remember being in their position, I try to approach every tour with empathy. Instead of simply sharing facts about campus, I focus on creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and imagining themselves here. Sometimes that means encouraging someone who is hesitant to speak up, or taking the time to answer a question that matters deeply to them. Small moments like these can help someone feel more confident in an unfamiliar place.

Through these experiences, I learned something important about myself. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people and helping them feel seen and included. When I first started giving tours, speaking to groups of strangers felt intimidating. Over time, those conversations helped me grow in confidence and communication. I realized that leadership is not only about presenting information or standing at the front of a group. It is about listening, understanding different perspectives, and helping others feel that they belong.

Most importantly, this experience showed me how much I value community. Being able to guide prospective students through campus allows me to be the kind of person I once needed when I was making my own college decision. Helping someone feel comfortable enough to picture their future is a small act, but it can have a meaningful impact.

Now, when I stand at the front of a tour and notice a quiet student standing in the back of the group, I remember exactly how that felt. I make sure that by the end of the tour, every student has had the opportunity to feel heard, included, and welcomed. In helping them imagine their place on campus, I discovered my own passion for connecting with people and creating communities where others feel they belong.