While most Birmingham-Southern students are from Alabama, just under 40 percent come from outside the state. Of those, few are as far from home as Ariel Smith, who traveled more than 4,200 miles to join the BSC community.

Smith, a junior media and film studies major, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and grew up in Anchorage. She moved away after a few years but later returned to Alaska in 2014, when she was 15.

After living in Mobile for a little while, Smith was familiar with Alabama, and the application process and scholarships she received from BSC brought her back to the South. She also prioritized the academic programs she was interested in and has enjoyed the media and film studies program.

“As far as how to work a camera, a lot of the material can be learned on your own. But I feel as though being a student here has given me edge since I have learned in an academic setting – a space to put into practice – the history of film and its industry, film theory, and much more,” Smith says.

She says the transition was pretty easy since she’d lived in Alabama previously, and she knew she loved the beaches that were so close. Smith has also especially loved the art she’s found in Birmingham.

“Ever since I got my car, I got to explore downtown and look at the murals and all the rich artwork, which was an unexpected but pleasant surprise,” she says.

At BSC, Smith has been involved in the Black Student Union and Spectrum, and, this fall, she’s joined the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion’s book club on Ibram X. Kendi’s “How to Be an Antiracist.”

We’re so happy that Smith found the Hilltop from across the country.

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