In Pursuit of Growth: Words from a CIP Student

The College Internship Program has helped many a student make the transition from dependent living to living a life of their own, and I am proud to be a current student. When I first made the transition to come to CIP, I have to admit I was a little nervous. I am fortunate enough to have lived by myself on several occasions, but the thought of independent living still made me a bit apprehensive. Not all these experiences were positive.

As my move-in date approached, the feeling of apprehension grew. In life, I often wondered what it would be like to truly move out. I had lived by myself a few times, but those times were different. My home was still with my parents, and it was always my parent’s house that I returned to. The concept of having my own apartment, roommate, and more importantly, the knowledge that I would never return to the home I had known all my life frankly terrified me.

 

I arrived at CIP shortly after graduating from high school, and I cannot speak very highly of my own educational experiences. Organization was never my strength, and I struggled with routines. Managing my own responsibilities and even taking on new ones was also an occasional issue. All of these factors helped to fuel my apprehension, and while I sometimes found success during HS, it usually was difficult and inconsistent.

 

However, since coming to CIP, much of my fears and apprehensions have vanished. I have made friends who will be me for much of my life, if not forever. The staff members and instructors genuinely care about my success, and I feel that I have all the resources I need to do well. In the fall, I will enroll in the local community college and later, I hope to transfer to a four-year university (I would like to major in history).

 

CIP has instilled a sense of optimism in me and my future. I am comfortable advocating for myself, hope to run for student council this summer (responsibility was something I used to ‘run from’, as opposed to ‘run for’), and I am able to manage my time, money, and routines effectively. There will no doubt be hardships ahead, but now I have better tools to handle them.

 

Overall, I am very pleased with my decision to come to CIP, and I can say confidently that it was the right choice for me. I am grateful for the support it has provided me, and the lessons I have learned here going into the future.

About College Internship Program

The College Internship Program is a comprehensive transition program for young adults on the Autism Spectrum and with Learning Differences. Our Mission is to inspire independence and expand the foundation on which young adults with Autism, ADHD, and other Learning Differences can build happy and productive lives.