My name is Mikayla Golub, and I am a sophomore majoring in History. On campus, I am involved with Bloomers, the Philomathean Society, Mock Trial, and Greek Life. Penn has provided me with so many unique experiences, and the opportunity to participate in ISP my freshman year has truly been one of them. ISP has had a tremendous impact on my Penn experience in two main ways. First, it allowed me to forge strong bonds with other students that, like myself, sought to challenge themselves beyond the norm. My two best friends now are also ISP alums. It is not rare for the three of us to find ourselves in a heated discussion about a piece of literature, film, or philosophy. Second, ISP instilled within me the desire to learn simply for the sake of knowledge itself. This is what prompted me to join the Philomathean Society (Penn’s literary society), as I was hungry for other spaces on campus that encouraged learning in disciplines outside one’s major. ISP requires one to be open-minded, eager to learn, and ready for hurdles. While ISP may not be for everyone, it surely serves as a springboard for those prepared to jump straight into a more rigorous multidisciplinary education.