Diny Capland FP ’06

New York, New York

When I was twenty-one, I moved to New York City. I fell into photo editing and worked my way up to being contracted by Redbook and other magazines. Meanwhile, I was attending community college on and off because I felt that something was missing in my life. As I moved closer to completing an associate’s degree, I realized that I wasn’t particularly happy with my career. Through volunteering as a tutor in Harlem, I came to realize that I wanted to study psychology and possibly work as a therapist with kids or teens.

When I visited Mount Holyoke, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to be. Meeting the other prospective students made a big impression—there was such a range of women of different ages and from different places. Coming here meant packing up my life of nine years and moving into a dorm. Having lived in a small apartment with a roommate, the adjustment wasn’t too hard.

As for the Mount Holyoke experience, I’ve never been any place where so many people so actively want me to succeed. You’re encouraged to pursue whatever it is you want to do—and given the resources you need. Last year, I received a research fellowship from the Center for Global Initiatives to go to Vietnam. The topic of my independent study is English language acquisition in a literate country.

I already had a strong sense of self before coming to Mount Holyoke but with the bar raised, I’ve seen how much more I am capable of achieving. I’ve discovered new qualities in myself and new possibilities for my life. I go through my days wondering how to thank all these people for believing in me.