“I think the most valuable part of the PULSE experience has been living in a new place and in a different environment. All of these new things are contributing to different areas of life experience and are things that I think can contribute to my life moving forward.” – Ben Hochstetler
Ben Hochstetler, originally of Goshen, Indiana, graduated from Goshen College with a degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Benjamin served on the Goshen College Campus Activities Council and was also the assistant coach for the high school cross country team for Bethany Christian Schools in 2015. Ben likes being active, reading, and listening to music. He is serving at Green Building Alliance.
Earl Pearson: What has been the most valuable part of the PULSE experience so far?
Ben Hochstetler: I think the most valuable part of the PULSE experience has been living in a new place and in a different environment. I’m also working in a new field that isn’t what studied in college but is also an interest. All of these new things are contributing to different areas of life experience and are things that I think can contribute to my life moving forward.
Earl: What do you enjoy most about your nonprofit partnership?
Ben: I’m really enjoying working in a new subject area, as well as my coworkers. Green Building Alliance (GBA) is really interesting in that they use different forms of education, systems, and big picture thinking that I can use moving forward. I want to work in healthcare at some point, and it’s interesting to see the intersection between human health, green spaces, and finding a lot interplay between things.
Earl: What surprised you most about Pittsburgh?
Ben: Big town, small town feel–it’s a big place compared to where I’m from, but I recognize people on the bus and on the street. Neighborhoods are so distinct and people are so invested in and identify with and pride themselves in their community.
Earl: What is the most interesting/fun adventure you’ve had in Pittsburgh so far?
Ben: While distributing GBA’s annual magazine, we stopped by a lot of places and it was really cool to drive through 20+ neighborhoods, stopping in a lot of local businesses and seeing a lot of the city in the process. Going to a Pitt game and a Penguins exhibition hockey game were pretty great as well.
Earl: What is the best part of the PULSE experience?
Ben: The best part of PULSE has been getting to know people. I’m really interested in seeing how we all got here–we’re from very diverse backgrounds but we all ended up in the same place and have a lot of common values and shared ideals, but we all got to that place and think about things in very different ways.
Story by PULSE Participant Earl Pearson.
Read more Participant Stories from Fellows about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: