How Tacos Changed My College Life

Yes...tacos. Here's the quick story. I remember that feeling of first stepping foot on campus. The roads are bustling with students, clubs are tabling and handing out free stuff, streets are loud at night, and the fall weather tops it all off. It's wierd, you just step on campus and you feel the excitement in the air. I remember, as a Freshman, I didn't really know what I wanted to do that first week...all I knew is that I just wanted to make friends. So I tried everything that I felt would help me meet as many people as possible. But one experience really stood out among the rest. It's when I stepped into the home of my college mentor and he offered me...a taco. Well, a taco bowl to be exact. It wasn't even that good. But who knew that amidst the craziness of school, the bright lights of the party scene, and the hope for a successful career that a college education promises you, the one thing that would actually bring me real joy and foster real relationships would be a homecooked dinner hangout and a quick conversation with a 40 year old couple from church. Somehow, I felt like I was at home, the other college students I met that night turned into some of my closest friends in college, and the wisdom gained from that couple helped me grow in my faith, character, and friendships. When I look back on my college life, I now see how RELATIONSHIPS and COMMUNITY with real people are actually what can make or break your college experience. If this is something that hits home with you, or something you've been missing so far, hit up our IG or ask a friend and come out to church!! Who knows, maybe we'll have some tacos for our Sunday lunch too :)

— Johnny Suh

(Purdue c/o 2023)