Arendt finds community, purpose at MSU

MINOT, N.D. – When Addison Arendt left Regina, Saskatchewan, to attend Minot State University, it was a big step.

She was 18, entering college for the first time, and moving to a different country where she knew no one.

Her leap of faith, however, would help her discover more than a career path.

Through her time in communication sciences and disorders, campus leadership opportunities, student organizations, and volunteer work, Arendt has built a community in Minot.

“I experienced a lot of personal growth, especially in my first year, as I independently navigated life away from my family,” Arendt said. “It required me to step outside of my comfort zone, especially in terms of making friends.”

Now a junior, Arendt has found ways to make the most of her college experience. Along with her major, she is pursuing a concentration in leadership and deaf and hard of hearing studies and is contemplating her possibilities within the world of speech-language pathology.

But it began quite simply with an interest in working with children.

Although she spent much of her adolescence considering different careers, she didn't settle on a direction until her senior year of high school at Michael A. Riffel Catholic High School in Regina.

“I have always loved working with kids and knew I wanted that to extend into my future career,” she said.

She considered teaching and medicine, but speech-language pathology offered a combination of interests that appealed to her.

“In grade 12, I discovered speech-language pathology, which seemed like a good balance between my previous career prospects of teaching and medicine,” Arendt said.

With a potential career in mind, she began researching colleges and arranged a winter tour of Minot State before enrolling. The visit helped turn an interest into a decision.

“I was very impressed with the campus and the level of support students receive from both faculty and the University,” she said. “Seeing how supported the students were solidified my decision to attend Minot State.”

Choosing Minot State also meant leaving home to begin college in the United States. Although the transition presented challenges, Arendt found that the University's resources helped her adjust to life on her own.

“Minot State is very supportive of its students,” she said, pointing to resources such as computer repairs, food banks, academic tutoring, free printing, and events that help students connect with others and adjust to college life. “This level of support is not common in Canadian universities. As someone who has taken advantage of these resources, I know just how beneficial it is, especially for first-year students.”

Arendt has received the Minot State Leadership Scholarship and Academic Excellence Scholarship, but she believes some of her most meaningful college experiences extend beyond the classroom. Through the Looyenga Leadership Center, which she joined during her first semester, she has developed skills she expects to use throughout her career while building lasting friendships.

“The leadership program is something I feel has done a lot to prepare me for future leadership roles,” she said. “In addition, I met many of my current friends in that program.”

Her academic experience has also broadened her understanding of what a career in speech-language pathology can look like.

Before arriving at Minot State, Arendt thought speech-language pathologists primarily worked in schools or private practices. She soon discovered a much wider range of professional opportunities, giving her more options to consider as she approaches the next stage of her education.

“In my first semester, I learned all the versatile fields in which a speech pathologist could practice,” she said. “This was something that surprised me in a good way, as it provides me with many opportunities for my future career.”

Arendt is particularly interested in working in a hospital setting, potentially with infants in a neonatal intensive care unit who experience feeding and swallowing difficulties, or with patients recovering from strokes and brain injuries.

She looks forward to exploring these possibilities through clinical experiences, practicums, and the hands-on experience she feels is an important part of the program.

“My time at MSU has provided me opportunities to observe clinical sessions, which really solidified my decision to become a speech-language pathologist,” Arendt said.

She also feels her preparation as a student includes volunteering. Her service has taken her to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter, the YMCA, and Sign-On, a Minot State student organization that has helped her explore her interest in deaf and hard of hearing studies.

Growing up in a household with pets, Arendt found it difficult to leave her animals behind to attend college. Volunteering at the Souris Valley Animal Shelter and working in the cat and dog areas gives her satisfaction in watching animals become more comfortable and eventually find permanent homes.

“As someone who has grown up surrounded by pets, leaving them behind was quite the adjustment,” she said. “These volunteer experiences have been very rewarding, as I have witnessed previously shy, scared animals find their forever families.”

Her work at the YMCA grew out of another personal interest. A former swim coach, Arendt wanted to spend her time doing something meaningful while sharing skills she already had. It also resonates with her interest in a career centered on communication and helping people develop skills that improve their lives.

“Finding myself without employment, I knew I needed to find some way to occupy my time,” Arendt said. “As a former swim coach, this opportunity caught my eye as it allowed me to do what I love while teaching me valuable skills to use in my future career as a speech-language pathologist.”

Sign-On has provided another connection between her interests and her studies. After discovering the organization in her first year, she kept attending meetings and was nominated as secretary in her sophomore year.

Although initially hesitant to take on the responsibility, she embraced the opportunity to serve on the board, help plan events, attend meetings, and interact with members of Minot's Deaf community.

“The club is welcoming and supportive, and I found myself frequently attending meetings,” she said. “I love being a part of the board, meeting new people, planning events, attending board meetings, and interacting with Minot's Deaf members.”

Taken together, Arendt's experiences reflect the different ways she has grown since arriving in Minot. Her education is preparing her for a career, but the people she has met and the communities she has joined have helped make the University feel like home.

“Some of these volunteer experiences relate directly to my chosen career path, while others give me a sense of purpose as I am attending Minot State,” she said. “These volunteer opportunities have provided me with a community away from home.”