Being Frank: Keeping Up With Carlson Students!

Life at Carlson moves fast. Classes, group projects, leadership roles, campus traditions, and friendships fill every week. Students are always keeping up with what comes next. Let’s Be Frank creates space to pause. It brings students together to step away from the rush, share a hot dog, and have real conversations. No titles. No filters. Just people. This blog pulls back the curtain on Carlson life. Through real student memories, it shows what students are keeping up with and what truly matters along the way. These stories reflect the honesty and connection at the heart of Let’s Be Frank.

For some students, Carlson life stretches beyond campus. New places, new people, and new perspectives often shape the most lasting memories.

“My favorite Minnesota Carlson memory would be my study abroad experience in Barcelona. In the Spring 2025 semester, through Carlson, I spent four months in Spain and traveling around Europe with three of my best friends, whom I met through the school. In Barcelona, I learned from Spanish professors in classes that highlighted global perspectives, all while picking up these perspectives firsthand by living in a different culture. The study abroad experience required by Carlson is the primary reason I decided to do a whole semester abroad, and an experience that is incomparable to any other period in my life.”

Other moments come from staying close to home and building something meaningful with the people around you.

“One of my favorite Carlson memories has been Leadership Lab because of the people I worked with. Our team spent a lot of time together in and outside of class. We laughed through long meetings, worked through challenges, and celebrated small wins along the way. Even when the work got stressful, the team made it fun and supportive. I built real friendships while learning how to collaborate, communicate, and trust others. Leadership Lab made campus feel smaller and more connected.”

Some memories are tied to shared energy and school spirit, where thousands of people feel connected in the same moment.

“One of my favorite memories from my University of Minnesota experience so far was getting to rush the football field after beating a ranked University of Nebraska! I went to the game with all of my best friends, and it was so fun getting to celebrate the big win with fellow friends and students on the field. Everyone was so happy, and school spirit was everywhere. It is definitely a memory I will never forget!”

Many Carlson experiences are built through everyday time spent together.

“Some of the best and most memorable experiences I’ve had on Campus have been with my best friends, many of them who are Thetas or a part of the Greek community. Whether it be studying together, celebrating our wins, or taking classes together; I’ve connected with so many supportive friends through the University of Minnesota.”

Some memories leave a lasting impact by pushing students into unfamiliar spaces and deeper reflection.

“My most vivid memory from Carlson was during my study abroad trip to Morocco with a Marketing elective class I took my freshman year. It truly felt like stepping into a fairy tale, visiting places I had only seen in movies, walking through ancient medinas, exploring sacred spaces, and immersing myself in a culture so sincere. I saw a new kind of warmth in people, a new rhythm of life. What made it unforgettable was traveling, learning, celebrating, and even crying alongside people who started out as my classmates and became woven into my life story in a way I never expected.”

Each of these stories reflects a different part of Carlson life. Together, they show what happens when students stay open with each other. Community forms through shared experiences and honest moments. Let’s Be Frank creates space for those conversations to happen!