Brooke Drabkin ’18 of Roslyn, N.Y., describes her surprise at the importance that off-campus relationships played in her Bates experience.

“Spending time with the Jewish community in Lewiston-Auburn has really opened my eyes to the differences that can exist in one tradition,” says Drabkin, a history major who has been co-president of Bates Hillel.

With a minor in education, Drabkin has been active in local literacy efforts. She joined six other Bates students to research the effectiveness of literature circles in English-language learning in Lewiston schools.

“We come to Bates and live in Lewiston for four years, and I think it’s really important to emphasize that piece,” she says. “We are Lewiston residents.”