My experience at Gallaudet

nutmeg · 04-16-2008, 11:05 AM

I'm not here to "trash talk" about GU. I went there for a semester in fall of 2001. I had a hard time deciding rather to go to RIT/NTID or Gallaudet. I decided on Gallaudet. I don't regret my experience and my time there. I made a great friend who I can relate to. She is still there and she is happy there. But unfortuanly, I didn't find my cliche' there. Even though my friend and I could relate and have similiar feelings and experiencing a lot same stuff at Gallaudet and anywhere in the deaf community. The difference between us, she has found her cliche' there.

It's a great school but not for me. I was "shouldin'" on myself big time. I haven't tried NTID yet, not sure if I ever will but I have always wondered would the education there would be better for me. Would I get a taste of both hearing/deaf worlds? Instead, like Gallaudet, its strictly "deaf world only"! While I was there, I got questions like "Why don't don't take have you hearing aid?" Blah blah. I was scared. I got pretty mean looks. I thought someone was going to grab my aid and break it in half!

I was there to study American Sign Language and learn more about the deaf culture and community. At the time, I wanted to be a sign language interpreter. I went there to really get a good feel. I thought it would be the best place in the world to study ASL/Deaf Culture! Great place to do that, you know?

But don't you kinda need your hearing aid to hear what people are saying so you can interpret for them, so deaf people know what's going on? I guess not, some students at Gallaudet are strictly in the "deaf world". "We don't need any connection to the hearing world", coming from a stubborn student. It's all about them, they don't consider you!

All deaf at Gallaudet, no half way, even HOH is not good enough! Maybe it will be different at RIT/NTID? I have wondered.

jillio · 04-16-2008, 11:34 AM

Perhaps you should have given it more than one semester. Many people experience culture shock when they first arrive.

Boult · 04-16-2008, 01:05 PM

1. The Best of Both Worlds

With 1,100 deaf and hard-of-hearing students and 14,000 hearing students on campus, RIT/NTID offers you a unique opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds!

RIT - NTID - Prospective Students - Why NTID?

Boult · 04-16-2008, 01:12 PM

RIT - NTID - American Sign Language and Interpreting Education (ASLIE)

ASL-English interpreteration program and deaf studies

***VamPyroX*** · 04-16-2008, 05:03 PM

I know the feeling.

There are some students who transferred from Gallaudet to NTID, but still have that "Deaf Pride" attitude. There will always be someone like that out there.

One time, I brought up an issue in a local deaf student government meeting. Another deaf student tried to "shoot me down" saying that I had no right to bring it up since I'm not "deaf enough".

I would rather be in an environment where I am equally exposed to deaf and hearing people.

scottw · 04-16-2008, 06:21 PM

Because the Deaf World welcome to Gallaudet University. Who have loss of hearing. You don't have to wear deaf. Gallaudet want to know what your loss hear. You go to doctor check your loss hear. I believe many deaf student not want wear hearing aid. Galladuet is not strict them.

Many deaf are very nice and encourage.

shel90 · 04-16-2008, 06:26 PM

I experienced the same thing as u did during my first semester at Gallaudet but I didnt quit. After 2 semesters, I met so many wonderful people who accepted me for who I am. My experience at Gallaudet has been more positive than negative.

I am sorry that u felt that way but like Jillo, I think you experienced culture shock.

nutmeg · 04-16-2008, 06:28 PM

Perhaps I should gave at least a year but I couldn't handle that much, esp. after realizing I really wanted to do Architecture, home sick and also going through Sept. 11. I thought RIT/NTID is a place that offers both worlds.

That is a good point! Gallaudet does not discriminate that's why I didn't trash talk about the University. I think I just came across some narrowminded people!

shel90 · 04-16-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutmeg

Perhaps I should gave at least a year but I couldn't handle that much, esp. after realizing I really wanted to do Architecture, home sick and also going through Sept. 11. I thought RIT/NTID is a place that offers both worlds.

That is a good point! Gallaudet does not discriminate that's why I didn't trash talk about the University. I think I just came across some narrowminded people!

Yea, those narrowminded people who put me down cuz I didnt grow up using ASL despite being deaf since birth, ended up respecting me more cuz I told them to "f*ck off" right away. I became friends with one of them..lol!

deafdyke · 04-16-2008, 09:19 PM

nutmeg, from what I recall NTID is supposed to be better for hoh and oral kids.

x10oT · 04-17-2008, 11:07 PM

I got accepted to Gallaudet! I was pretty impressed with Gallaudet's Open House few weeks ago. I don't have much experience at Gallaudet yet but I'm certainly will have blast time in Rockfest events tomorrow at Gallaudet! ;-]

Jclarke · 04-17-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x10oT

I got accepted to Gallaudet! I was pretty impressed with Gallaudet's Open House few weeks ago. I don't have much experience at Gallaudet yet but I'm certainly will have blast time in Rockfest events tomorrow at Gallaudet! ;-]

Dont forget to party like there is no tomorrow

Authentic, if you are reading this, you forgot to stamp your copyright infringement!

Guess another damn, eh?

ClearSky · 04-18-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

I got pretty mean looks. I thought someone was going to grab my aid and break it in half!

LOL. I thought that was funny sounding. That doesn't sound like a good school. No one should be made to feel like an outcast.

***Jolie_77*** · 04-18-2008, 09:22 PM

When I attended Gallaudet, my experience has always been positive. I remembered when I first arrived, I was in a culture shock. It's funny because I attended and graduated from a deaf school. I thought I was totally prepared for Gallaudet. Boy, I was totally wrong. Part of the shock was seeing ASL in use 24/7/365 at Gallaudet. Even though ASL was around at the deaf school, I was accustomed to having some barriers to deal with some staffs that had limited knowledge of ASL/Deaf Culture. I was in awe and it was overwhelming because I had never been in such environment where signing was in constant use.

But, Anyway, There will always be cliches at every school and certainly, there were cliches at Gallaudet. There are people who does not agree with one wearing cochlear implant, there will be some people who are not in favor to be friends with oralists, there will be some who are into deaf pride, so and on. The list goes on.

I'm sorry you had to experience that kind of treatment while you were at Gallaudet. Not every place is fit for everyone. You can look into different options and see which place is fit for you.

I believe in equal treatment. It's all about respecting one and other. Treat others as you wish to be treated to.

jillio · 04-19-2008, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x10oT

I got accepted to Gallaudet! I was pretty impressed with Gallaudet's Open House few weeks ago. I don't have much experience at Gallaudet yet but I'm certainly will have blast time in Rockfest events tomorrow at Gallaudet! ;-]

Congratulations!!

Tousi · 04-19-2008, 11:37 AM

[quote=Jclarke;958610]Dont forget to party like there is no tomorrow

That's the problem, Jake, there IS a tomorrow. Lol....

Liza · 04-19-2008, 01:08 PM

I may sound like an old fogey here, and I *am* a gally grad (class of 2002) - It is exceedingly important that students put their education first before anything else. But, yes, it is great if they can gain a lot from networking socially. GU is good for that. I haven't heard of anyone being a leader in the Community from NTID/RIT or CSUN!

Nutmeg, you may want to find a mentor or experienced advisor regarding your goals and circumstances. You will find your niche. Some people just get there in different ways. Nothing wrong with that.

One semester must be like an eternity to a student, but it is really not long. Perhaps you will find the success you desire at other colleges like RIT or CSUN, too.

undecisivegurl · 04-19-2008, 01:22 PM

Hmph. I've always had bad experiences at Gallaudet from the beginning. The first time I went to Gallaudet for their open house with my mom. (I am considered to be oral deaf). So when we went there to tour the campus, we were split up into groups to tour different class rooms so we decided to try out Sociology. So when mom and I were in that class room, the teacher starts signing and there was no voice interpreter there (my mom doesn't know sign language) so it was frustrating and a lot of the parents were like ummm? what is going on here? this is so stupid. So finally, the teacher stops signing because she notices a lot of angry parents, she starts talking!!!! She said, I am hearing but I decided to turn off my voice because I want the deaf students to have more equality, not to hear sound together. That made me SO angry that me and mom got up and left the class room. That was my first experience at Gallaudet, so ever since I didn't want to go there because of that. I chose RIT instead.

My second experience at Gallaudet was when I went to their homecoming weekend during the protest last year. (I have a friend that goes to Gallaudet, so I was visiting her as well). The whole time when I was there, my friend would introduce me to her friends and she would say that I'm from RIT. They looked at me funny and just said, oh then stopped talking to me. It was SO rude. After my two experiences, I vowed not to go back to Gallaudet ever. It was such a horrible experience.

However, my experience at RIT has been great because I feel more united with different kinds of people (hearing, oral, deaf, etc) rather than one group (deaf only). I think everyone is different and has different needs. RIT was just the perfect school for me same as Gallaudet would be the perfect school for some people. By the way, congratulations x10oT for getting accepted to Gallaudet, I hope it goes great for you.

That's just my opinion. I just thought to share that with you guys. :-)

SnAzZyStyLe2002 · 04-19-2008, 05:38 PM

Ha, and since the murders at Gally in 2000 ... It was in TIME magazine on June 25th, 2001. Looking back then, I realize that they deserve public embarrassment. Gally won't ever get my support, period. Hell, I even WANTED Gally to lose their accreditation because then the deaf students would not have any choice but to attend local/state universities. Deaf culture do NOT, and should not, evolve around their lives, period.

Thanks, undecisive gurl, for warning me. I'm oral too as well.

jillio · 04-19-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnAzZyStyLe2002

Ha, and since the murders at Gally in 2000 ... It was in TIME magazine on June 25th, 2001. Looking back then, I realize that they deserve public embarrassment. Gally won't ever get my support, period. Hell, I even WANTED Gally to lose their accreditation because then the deaf students would not have any choice but to attend local/state universities. Deaf culture do NOT, and should not, evolve around their lives, period.

Thanks, undecisive gurl, for warning me. I'm oral too as well.

There have been many murders at state and local colleges, as well.

Why would you wish for Gally to loose accreditation? It serves the needs of the students who choose to attend. Are you saying that those who choose a signing environment are not as entitled to education as those who don't?

If Gally doesn't suit your needs as an oral deaf individual, then that's fine. Don't go to Gally. But for you to demand that they change their environment for you is a bit over the top. Gally ha always been known as a signing environment. You know that when you walk on campus. It is up to you to adjust to that. If you don't want to, or can't for some reason, then it is best that you choose somewhere else.

shel90 · 04-19-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnAzZyStyLe2002

Ha, and since the murders at Gally in 2000 ... It was in TIME magazine on June 25th, 2001. Looking back then, I realize that they deserve public embarrassment. Gally won't ever get my support, period. Hell, I even WANTED Gally to lose their accreditation because then the deaf students would not have any choice but to attend local/state universities. Deaf culture do NOT, and should not, evolve around their lives, period.

Thanks, undecisive gurl, for warning me. I'm oral too as well.

U want Gallaudet to close down simply cuz of your bad experiences? Oh pls! The world doesnt revolve around you. U are sure acting like those Deaf people u complain about.

If u dont like Gallaudet, that is your opinion. However, I like Gallaudet and have nothing but great memories there. I have bad memories of public school so does that mean all public schools should shut down? Nope.

I am oral too as well.

Pacman · 04-19-2008, 11:09 PM

I love Gally but will not enroll this fall because of not quality for FAFSA and VR support due of my parent's income, I have wait within several years or so.

I'm currently working on other planning, also will enroll in later time.

deafbajagal · 04-19-2008, 11:25 PM

I was never a student at Gally because I was planning on going to Harvard (but things happened, and I ended up going to a state university). I, however, have visited Gallaudet many times for workshops, presentations, to talk with the folks at the Clerc Center, observations, and just to hang out with my friends who went there. I've always felt that it was "home" away from home. I noticed that there is an attitude of "Deaf Pride" that can go over the top - a little too much for me. I like to hang out with people from ALL backgrounds, not just the "big D" deafies. Several of my friends whom I met during oral camps and programs had a difficult time...and several other friends who were oral ended up there and loving it. I guess it depends on how you take things in stride and how you are willing to adapt. The friends who later learned sign language (most of them learned ASL, not English sign language) tell me that they cannot believe they lived without signing growing up. The experience was life changing for them. The friends who chose not to sign ended up transferring to other places with a bitter taste in their mouth whenever they talk about Gallaudet.

shel90 · 04-19-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafbajagal

I was never a student at Gally because I was planning on going to Harvard (but things happened, and I ended up going to a state university). I, however, have visited Gallaudet many times for workshops, presentations, to talk with the folks at the Clerc Center, observations, and just to hang out with my friends who went there. I've always felt that it was "home" away from home. I noticed that there is an attitude of "Deaf Pride" that can go over the top - a little too much for me. I like to hang out with people from ALL backgrounds, not just the "big D" deafies. Several of my friends whom I met during oral camps and programs had a difficult time...and several other friends who were oral ended up there and loving it. I guess it depends on how you take things in stride and how you are willing to adapt. The friends who later learned sign language (most of them learned ASL, not English sign language) tell me that they cannot believe they lived without signing growing up. The experience was life changing for them. The friends who chose not to sign ended up transferring to other places with a bitter taste in their mouth whenever they talk about Gallaudet.

U just practically described my experience at Gallaudet as a whole right there!

I encountered difficulties at first but I was already used to being discriminated by the hearing world so I had nothing to lose. LOL! Turned out that it was just a small group of people who were testing me which was unecessary but I just let it go since it wasnt my goal to become Deaf power and all that.

deafdyke · 04-20-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

LOL! Turned out that it was just a small group of people who were testing me which was unecessary

Yes, there are even a lot of professors at Gally who learned Sign as a second language!
I wonder if the same thing happens at black colleges like Morehouse. Most students are prolly OK, but there might be extremists who are very Nation Of Islam types ( like Louis Farrkkarahn style )
Just wish there was some way we could make Gally more "new to the Deaf World" friendly. I bet a lot more people would go to Gally, if it was percieved as being more moderate.

scottw · 04-20-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x10oT

I got accepted to Gallaudet! I was pretty impressed with Gallaudet's Open House few weeks ago. I don't have much experience at Gallaudet yet but I'm certainly will have blast time in Rockfest events tomorrow at Gallaudet! ;-]

Congralutation to you! I will see you this Fall! I finish my ACT test. I wait till 2 weeks of my score!

Then Gallaudet will tell me "Accept" as soon. I let you know.

I have 5 times dream come true! How? My friend encourage me. God want me go Gallaudet University. I never thought of what I want. But God want me go! Because I will be graduation! Wow! Yes I saw that my dream come true about graduate!

I keep let you know.

scottw · 04-20-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undecisivegurl

04-16-2008, 11:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
nutmeg Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8	My experience at Gallaudet I'm not here to "trash talk" about GU. I went there for a semester in fall of 2001. I had a hard time deciding rather to go to RIT/NTID or Gallaudet. I decided on Gallaudet. I don't regret my experience and my time there. I made a great friend who I can relate to. She is still there and she is happy there. But unfortuanly, I didn't find my cliche' there. Even though my friend and I could relate and have similiar feelings and experiencing a lot same stuff at Gallaudet and anywhere in the deaf community. The difference between us, she has found her cliche' there. It's a great school but not for me. I was "shouldin'" on myself big time. I haven't tried NTID yet, not sure if I ever will but I have always wondered would the education there would be better for me. Would I get a taste of both hearing/deaf worlds? Instead, like Gallaudet, its strictly "deaf world only"! While I was there, I got questions like "Why don't don't take have you hearing aid?" Blah blah. I was scared. I got pretty mean looks. I thought someone was going to grab my aid and break it in half! I was there to study American Sign Language and learn more about the deaf culture and community. At the time, I wanted to be a sign language interpreter. I went there to really get a good feel. I thought it would be the best place in the world to study ASL/Deaf Culture! Great place to do that, you know? But don't you kinda need your hearing aid to hear what people are saying so you can interpret for them, so deaf people know what's going on? I guess not, some students at Gallaudet are strictly in the "deaf world". "We don't need any connection to the hearing world", coming from a stubborn student. It's all about them, they don't consider you! All deaf at Gallaudet, no half way, even HOH is not good enough! Maybe it will be different at RIT/NTID? I have wondered.

04-16-2008, 05:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 23,644	I know the feeling. There are some students who transferred from Gallaudet to NTID, but still have that "Deaf Pride" attitude. There will always be someone like that out there. One time, I brought up an issue in a local deaf student government meeting. Another deaf student tried to "shoot me down" saying that I had no right to bring it up since I'm not "deaf enough". I would rather be in an environment where I am equally exposed to deaf and hearing people. __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

04-16-2008, 06:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
shel90 So ready for Springtime! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A Desert Rat that has found herself in Maryland Posts: 11,366 Blog Entries: 1	I experienced the same thing as u did during my first semester at Gallaudet but I didnt quit. After 2 semesters, I met so many wonderful people who accepted me for who I am. My experience at Gallaudet has been more positive than negative. I am sorry that u felt that way but like Jillo, I think you experienced culture shock. __________________ ~Shel~

04-19-2008, 01:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
Liza Only me Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Augustine, FL Posts: 3,314	I may sound like an old fogey here, and I am a gally grad (class of 2002) - It is exceedingly important that students put their education first before anything else. But, yes, it is great if they can gain a lot from networking socially. GU is good for that. I haven't heard of anyone being a leader in the Community from NTID/RIT or CSUN! Nutmeg, you may want to find a mentor or experienced advisor regarding your goals and circumstances. You will find your niche. Some people just get there in different ways. Nothing wrong with that. One semester must be like an eternity to a student, but it is really not long. Perhaps you will find the success you desire at other colleges like RIT or CSUN, too. __________________

04-19-2008, 01:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
undecisivegurl Chihiro to Sen Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ohio and New York Posts: 186	Hmph. I've always had bad experiences at Gallaudet from the beginning. The first time I went to Gallaudet for their open house with my mom. (I am considered to be oral deaf). So when we went there to tour the campus, we were split up into groups to tour different class rooms so we decided to try out Sociology. So when mom and I were in that class room, the teacher starts signing and there was no voice interpreter there (my mom doesn't know sign language) so it was frustrating and a lot of the parents were like ummm? what is going on here? this is so stupid. So finally, the teacher stops signing because she notices a lot of angry parents, she starts talking!!!! She said, I am hearing but I decided to turn off my voice because I want the deaf students to have more equality, not to hear sound together. That made me SO angry that me and mom got up and left the class room. That was my first experience at Gallaudet, so ever since I didn't want to go there because of that. I chose RIT instead. My second experience at Gallaudet was when I went to their homecoming weekend during the protest last year. (I have a friend that goes to Gallaudet, so I was visiting her as well). The whole time when I was there, my friend would introduce me to her friends and she would say that I'm from RIT. They looked at me funny and just said, oh then stopped talking to me. It was SO rude. After my two experiences, I vowed not to go back to Gallaudet ever. It was such a horrible experience. However, my experience at RIT has been great because I feel more united with different kinds of people (hearing, oral, deaf, etc) rather than one group (deaf only). I think everyone is different and has different needs. RIT was just the perfect school for me same as Gallaudet would be the perfect school for some people. By the way, congratulations x10oT for getting accepted to Gallaudet, I hope it goes great for you. That's just my opinion. I just thought to share that with you guys. :-) __________________ Comprendre, c'est pardoner.

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04-16-2008, 11:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
jillio Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 12,592	Perhaps you should have given it more than one semester. Many people experience culture shock when they first arrive.

04-16-2008, 06:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
scottw Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Crestview, Florida Posts: 646	Because the Deaf World welcome to Gallaudet University. Who have loss of hearing. You don't have to wear deaf. Gallaudet want to know what your loss hear. You go to doctor check your loss hear. I believe many deaf student not want wear hearing aid. Galladuet is not strict them. Many deaf are very nice and encourage.

04-16-2008, 06:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
nutmeg Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8	Perhaps I should gave at least a year but I couldn't handle that much, esp. after realizing I really wanted to do Architecture, home sick and also going through Sept. 11. I thought RIT/NTID is a place that offers both worlds. That is a good point! Gallaudet does not discriminate that's why I didn't trash talk about the University. I think I just came across some narrowminded people!

04-16-2008, 09:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
deafdyke So NOT a Princess! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ROOOARRRR!!!, that's where! Posts: 6,097	nutmeg, from what I recall NTID is supposed to be better for hoh and oral kids.

04-17-2008, 11:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
x10oT AIM Dude Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 129	I got accepted to Gallaudet! I was pretty impressed with Gallaudet's Open House few weeks ago. I don't have much experience at Gallaudet yet but I'm certainly will have blast time in Rockfest events tomorrow at Gallaudet! ;-]

04-18-2008, 09:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
*Jolie_77* Truth does not blush. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kentucky, USA Posts: 3,157	When I attended Gallaudet, my experience has always been positive. I remembered when I first arrived, I was in a culture shock. It's funny because I attended and graduated from a deaf school. I thought I was totally prepared for Gallaudet. Boy, I was totally wrong. Part of the shock was seeing ASL in use 24/7/365 at Gallaudet. Even though ASL was around at the deaf school, I was accustomed to having some barriers to deal with some staffs that had limited knowledge of ASL/Deaf Culture. I was in awe and it was overwhelming because I had never been in such environment where signing was in constant use. But, Anyway, There will always be cliches at every school and certainly, there were cliches at Gallaudet. There are people who does not agree with one wearing cochlear implant, there will be some people who are not in favor to be friends with oralists, there will be some who are into deaf pride, so and on. The list goes on. I'm sorry you had to experience that kind of treatment while you were at Gallaudet. Not every place is fit for everyone. You can look into different options and see which place is fit for you. I believe in equal treatment. It's all about respecting one and other. Treat others as you wish to be treated to.

04-19-2008, 11:37 AM	#16 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,366	[quote=Jclarke;958610]Dont forget to party like there is no tomorrow That's the problem, Jake, there IS a tomorrow. Lol....

04-19-2008, 05:38 PM	#19 (permalink)
SnAzZyStyLe2002 The Grim Reaper Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Somewhere in a galaxy far far away Posts: 231	Ha, and since the murders at Gally in 2000 ... It was in TIME magazine on June 25th, 2001. Looking back then, I realize that they deserve public embarrassment. Gally won't ever get my support, period. Hell, I even WANTED Gally to lose their accreditation because then the deaf students would not have any choice but to attend local/state universities. Deaf culture do NOT, and should not, evolve around their lives, period. Thanks, undecisive gurl, for warning me. I'm oral too as well. __________________ ~Snazzy Style 2002 Currently dual-booting Windows XP Pro SP3 and Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 on 2 hard drive partitions on the same computer. Now have a server computer, so currently dual-booting Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise and Server 2008 RC1 - will be getting Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Final sometime in March '08.

04-19-2008, 11:09 PM	#22 (permalink)
Pacman mAc OwNs Pc Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11,336	I love Gally but will not enroll this fall because of not quality for FAFSA and VR support due of my parent's income, I have wait within several years or so. I'm currently working on other planning, also will enroll in later time. __________________ Mac rulez

04-19-2008, 11:25 PM	#23 (permalink)
deafbajagal Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 700	I was never a student at Gally because I was planning on going to Harvard (but things happened, and I ended up going to a state university). I, however, have visited Gallaudet many times for workshops, presentations, to talk with the folks at the Clerc Center, observations, and just to hang out with my friends who went there. I've always felt that it was "home" away from home. I noticed that there is an attitude of "Deaf Pride" that can go over the top - a little too much for me. I like to hang out with people from ALL backgrounds, not just the "big D" deafies. Several of my friends whom I met during oral camps and programs had a difficult time...and several other friends who were oral ended up there and loving it. I guess it depends on how you take things in stride and how you are willing to adapt. The friends who later learned sign language (most of them learned ASL, not English sign language) tell me that they cannot believe they lived without signing growing up. The experience was life changing for them. The friends who chose not to sign ended up transferring to other places with a bitter taste in their mouth whenever they talk about Gallaudet.