If you could tell the world anything about yourself, what would it be?

Students from the Class of 2019 recently were given that chance. Dear World, an international storytelling project that gives people the opportunity to write personal messages about themselves on their bodies and share them with the world via photo portraits, came to the Bentley campus for the first time as part of university’s annual First Week activities for freshmen.

During the day, more than 250 students were photographed, sharing stories that made classmates both laugh and cry. That evening, the entire class gathered in the Wilder Pavilion, as students shared the personal experiences behind their photographs.

Here are some of those stories:



“When I was 14, I was diagnosed with a severe, chronic illness that left me hospitalized, sick and very lonely. For the past five years, I’ve attended a summer camp for children with the same illness I have, and the experience has taught me that I cannot let a disease define me; I have a disease, but the disease doesn’t have me. I wanted to participate in Dear World because people’s stories have power -- I was able to connect with my classmates on a higher level than I could through typical, everyday conversations. Our words are enough to make a difference.”
--Annie Canzano '19
 

“Throughout my life, I’ve had to overcome a number of adversities, from being born with a cleft palate to growing up with language barriers. Instead of letting them define me, I chose to grow from them, look at the positives and realize I am who I am today because of these experiences. Dear World has inspired me to use my story to foster genuine connections with people that can help me learn more about others and make an impact in their lives.”
--Jackson Le '19
 

“My best friend was shot and killed after a party he and I both attended. Until that moment, I hadn’t been living an ideal life, and I knew it could easily have been me in his place instead. At that moment, I decided I had to better myself, whether it was by choosing different friends, getting better grades -- whatever it took to find success for the sake of myself and my family. Dear World taught me that everyone has a story, and no matter what that story is, it’s important to keep pushing on.”
--Shawndy Pierre
 

“Depression is something that so many people go through, yet our society shuns as an individual issue. The semicolon represents where one could end something, but continues on. Living through hardship and coming out as a better person on the other side is very difficult, but I got through and am now able to try to help others do the same. Through Dear World, I learned how many other people are struggling through the same issues I do. No one should go through college feeling hopeless, worthless or lonely, and Dear World gave me an opportunity to leave my small imprint on a big community.”
--Nick Williams '19
 

“When I was a sophomore in high school, I witnessed a shooting at my school. Three of my classmates were killed and another one was paralyzed. However, despite the horrendous situation, many of my peers and I chose to be strong and search for the light in a dark situation, to create a better future for our community, rather than dwell on the horrific events of its past. Dear World not only helped me share this message, but opened my eyes to the many stories of my peers that go unknown to most.”
--Katie Vadakin '18
 

“Dear World gave our students a chance to let down their guards and be vulnerable with one another,” says Jessica Kenerson, associate director for student affairs operations and development, who helped bring the program to Bentley. “Seeing the students support one another, I truly believe their bond as classmates will be stronger than if they had not experienced Dear World. It was the single most impactful day I’ve experienced in my seven years at Bentley.”
 

Photos courtesy of Dear World.

Watch this video to more about Dear World and its college tour: