Brantley Metcalf

Hey y'all! My name is Brantley Metcalf and I am a rising Sophomore at Furman! I am currently majoring in Biology and I plan to also declare studio art with hopes of going to PA school. I am from Spartanburg, SC. I am so excited to be going on this trip and can't wait to share our adventures with everyone!

When I learned about the Cothran Center doing this MayX, I was just starting the first couple months of college. Like everyone else I was trying to find friends, meet professors, and get involved in the Furman community. While doing this I often had to think of my own values and experiences similar to what we will be doing throughout this course. Away from school I have traveled to many states and a couple countries. During these trips I feel the most at peace and accepting to self discovery. Exploring different cities, hiking through different landscapes, and meeting new people allows me to gain a better understanding of myself and the world. Knowing these things I applied, wanting to have someone lead me through discovering myself and my purpose. Through this trip I hope to learn more about who I am, how my experiences have shaped me, and what my purpose is. The lessons I learn in this class will help me shape what I do at Furman and the person I want to be.

The Cup Activity:  The class (and leaders) were given an assignment to be completed before the first day of class.  Everyone was given an empty cup, and the instructions were to (i) put several things in that cup that help to describe our identities, and (ii) bring that cup to class on the first day, and use it to introduce ourselves to one another.

Finding things for this activity was extremely hard! In the end I included the following things-

1. A magnet with "I love my twins." -A big part of who I am is an older sister. My brother and sister are my best friends. 

2. A Bob Ross figure- I have done art since I was little. In middle school I had a teacher who encouraged me to pursue art somehow whether it be through a job or through majoring in it in college. She gave me the Bob Ross figure to remind me of her and the importance of art. Through high school I continued to paint and eventually took every art class offered. I now plan to double major in studio art. Even though art has become part of school, I still find it relaxing and something I want to include in my life.

3. A golf ball- My grandpa introduced me to golf when I was 6. From there golf became a way to hang out with my family(my brother, sister, grandmother, dad), make money(I have worked at a golf course for 4 years and bet my dad plenty), and a way to meet new friends(through golf tournaments and work). Golf has helped me meet some of my best friends and hang out with people I love while relaxing an enjoying nature. 

4. A bell- When I was little I was obsessed with the movie "Tinker Bell." I had many Tinker Bell themed birthday parties and most of my toys had to do with it. I now know almost all the words. Because of this, it is my comfort movie. From having surgery to just having a really bad day, "Tinker Bell" is relaxing. The bell is the sounds a fairy makes to humans throughout the movie which represents the children's imagination. 

I am so excited to learn about myself and Greece on this trip!