Answer the following question in 150 – 200 words :

Describe Helen Keller’s experiences at Radcliffe. What difficulties did she face there?

The first day at Radcliffe was a day full of interest for Helen Keller. She was prepared to take up the challenges despite her shortcomings and try her strength by the standards of those who saw and heard her. Her perception of an ideal college was something out of the world and held the professors in high esteem. However, on becoming a part of the college, the reality started unfolding to her and she discovered that college was not quite as romantic as she had imagined. In the first year, she studied French, German, History, and English. In all these subjects she read the works of great authors. The lectures were spelled into her hand as quickly as possible. But in this respect, the other girls were equally in a disadvantageous position as they also had to write at a feverish pace at which the professors taught thus robbed the students of enjoying the process of learning. Helen needed more time to prepare her lessons than other girls who enjoyed their free time. Helen would feel bad and lose heart but soon she realized that there was no easy way to gain knowledge. She felt in the college shortage of time and rush for everything. Each subject leads to another, one book leads to another. There is no interaction between the tutor and the taught. In a college, she feels, a student gets no time to think, to reflect and retrospect. All these disadvantages broke all the romantic dreams Helen had cherished before coming to Radcliffe.