My Calling to Community

The Pittsburgh Fellows is a blessing and a privilege to be a part of, but it didn’t come naturally to me. I am an introverted person that does not typically enjoy big groups and prefers to stay at home rather than explore a new city with a new group of people.

When I told my friends that I was joining the Fellows and explained all that it entailed they all asked the same question, “Why are you joining this program?”. It was a reasonable question to ask because no one could imagine that I would voluntarily live with people I don't know. At first, all I could say was that it was a calling and that this is where God wanted me to be.

Finally, it was move-in weekend, after a small panic in the parking lot, I walked into what would be my backyard for the next nine months. I was immediately greeted by kind faces who welcomed me with open arms. That first week was filled with small adventures around Sewickley, and I quickly realized that I could be myself around this group. Through the fellows I have gained a community that understands me and allows me to grow into the person that I want to be. I can now confirm that Pittsburgh Fellows is truly my calling because in any other setting I am unsure if I would have felt the same way. I have already made some lifelong friends and skills that I will take with me forever, and we’ve only just begun.

-Heather Zamudio, Class of 2025

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