{"id":211741,"date":"2020-05-19T09:26:07","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T13:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=211741"},"modified":"2020-05-19T12:13:09","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T16:13:09","slug":"class-of-2024-in-bloom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2020\/05\/19\/class-of-2024-in-bloom\/","title":{"rendered":"Class of 2024 in Bloom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the past few weeks, thousands of new students have committed to 麻豆传媒在线\u2019s Class of 2024. But few are coming from as far away as Karina Bloom.<\/p>\n

Bloom grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last three years stationed in Okinawa, Japan, as a member of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band. She will be pursuing flute performance as her major at the John J. Cali School of Music.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe number one thing here is experiencing the culture and meeting the people,\u201d says Bloom, who was interviewed from her base via WhatsApp audio chat. \u201cThe locals here are the best people in the whole world. They are so kind and open and so welcoming and hospitable.\u201d<\/p>\n

麻豆传媒在线 is consistently on the U.S. News<\/em> list of the best colleges for veterans and Bloom is excited to experience the diversity of New Jersey and the proximity to New York City. However, she says her decision came \u201cdown to the environment and the faculty.\u201d Bloom was able to take a virtual lesson with Wendy Stern, a Cali adjunct professor, in October, and reports, \u201cI had a really awesome experience with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old also is looking forward to sharing her experiences with fellow students.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be an advocate for helping young women find strength in themselves. I hope to be a positive influence to those who need this guidance,” says Bloom.<\/p>\n

“The military is a tough place to grow into who you are, especially as an 18 year old experiencing their first real job living away from home. I want to assist young women on their journey of self development while also emphasizing the importance of fostering healthy relationships and give them the tools to recognize the signs of toxic environments and people.”<\/p>\n

Bloom wants to combine her love of music, travel and people into one career. \u201cRight now, I\u2019m interested in entering the foreign service after graduating and after looking at a master\u2019s degree. I want to bring music to other countries. I want to be versatile. There are a couple of programs I\u2019m interested in for minors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before being stationed in Japan, Bloom had to meet the same rigorous requirements as her fellow, non-musician Marines \u2013 and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cI graduated high school, and then a month later I went to boot camp, then to combat training, then to the Naval School of Music.\u201d<\/p>\n

COVID-19 has complicated Bloom\u2019s plans in that she is unable to say goodbye to many of her friends in Japan in person. She will also need to enter quarantine when she separates from the military in North Carolina, then again when visiting her family in Pennsylvania, and again when she moves to New Jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI plan to move to New Jersey regardless of the schooling situation,\u201d says Bloom, who longs to be on campus but recognizes that the fall semester may be socially distant. \u201cThis is the best way for me to have this experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Marine
Karina Bloom, Class of 2024 (left), with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band Woodwind Quintet. Photo credit: III MEF Band.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story by Staff Writer Mary Barr Mann.<\/a><\/p>\n