Celebrating Black History at Harvard

February 23, 2012 in Jesse's Blog by Jesse Sanchez | No comments

Black History Month at Harvard has definitely been one of my favorite parts of the semester. In addition to big events with delicious food, we have the chance to honor Black historical figures, faculty members, and even current students for their achievements. The Black Students Association (BSA), Harvard Society of Black Scientists and Engineers (HSBSE), Harvard College Black Pre-Law Association (BPLA), Association of Black Harvard Women (ABHW), Black Men’s Forum (BMF), and many other organizations took part in raising awareness about and celebrating Black History.

One of the events, titled Black and Brilliant, was the perfect opportunity to honor faculty members and current Harvard College Seniors for their work in the Black Community and beyond. Taking part in such a great event and recognizing just how much the student honorees have done in their 4 years of college was inspirational. These students are amazing and I feel privileged to be able to call them friends.

I was also lucky enough to interview one of the honorees!

Watch the video below to hear about Celebrating Black History and to get a look at an exclusive interview I had with the Dazzling Ekene Obi-Okoye – Harvard College Class of 2012.

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Sophomore Hump Slumps

February 22, 2012 in Jeanie's Blog by Jeanie Nguyen | No comments

Last week, I had the worst week ever. Ever. Capital E.

I’m definitely being as dramatic as:

Probably true at every university…

 

And yes, I’ve jumped on the meme-bandwagon. In fact, many of my thoughts occur in a series of flashing Push it somewhere else Patrick and Keanu Reeves Conspiracy memes and I think I’m hilarious.

 

It all started Valentine’s Day when my intake of chocolate wasn’t nearly high enough, ultimately pushing my prolonged cold into a seemingly perpetual flu.(Direct cause and effect here people.) I know I’m premed, but this just means I’m perfectly fine being surrounded by sick people. However, I’m the worst sick person ever. Being physically ill never fails to catalyze a concomitant homesickness which manifested itself when my mom called me and the kindness and concern in her voice mobilized streamlining tears. Poor mother – she just wanted to know if I needed anything from Costco … I wonder if it’s too late to ask for a churro…

I’ll be 21 in 10 months (but who’s counting?!) and all I want (besides a crunchy Costco churro) is to sit around with my sister and tease my parents. I literally hadn’t been this congested, exhausted, and homesick since the December of my freshman year. As I was trying to analytically pinpoint the reasons behind my sophomore slumpin’ week, I thought about some of the summer applications I had recently submitted. These first few weeks of the spring semester are always hectically spent researching and applying for summer plans/jobs/internships, etc. Although it may be difficult at times to navigate resources, having too many resources is one of the best problems to have. Thank goodness for the Office of Career Services for centralizing summer resources! What I would LOVE and be SO LUCKY to do this summer is intern in a Spanish speaking country and pretend that I’m suave for 8 weeks. As I slowly conceptualized the thought of being in a foreign country on my own for two months, I realized this would be time spent not soaking up California sunshine and loving.

I think much of this week’s past emotional turmoil stems from the fact that I’m growing up and as time swiftly passes by, San Diego is becoming more of my past rather than my future. This freaks me out. There isn’t really a euphemism for that. Although I feel really lame for being homesick, I also feel like these feelings are a natural part of attending college so far from home. I want to discourage, however, having distance as a main factor in your college decision process! I wouldn’t trade anything for my East Coast experiences. Yet this concept of growing up genuinely excites me as much as it profoundly frightens me. I don’t know what will happen this summer and I may be internally panicking for absolutely no reason. It’s easy for me to say that I can’t wait for summer but it’s even easier for me to retract that statement after what I realized last Saturday.

As I was finalizing some last details of my Alternative Spring Break Trip to New York City (sponsored by Phillips Brooks House Association, PBHA), I realized that Spring Break is literally right around the corner which means that the spring semester is over! I know this sounds insane (rightfully so!) but once freshmen “block” (gather a group of up to 8 friends who they’ll live in the same upperclassman house with for their remaining time as undergraduates), Housing Day (the epic day freshman blocking groups receive their upperclassman house) happens, Spring Break happens, exams happen, and summer begins!! My astonishment with the realization that spring semester is over became an unhealthy obsession which soon stopped Monday night when my friend had to pull out his laptop during dinner to prove to me that the spring semester is definitely not over nor close to being over.

All in all, I’m really glad to be reporting that my sophomore year progression is slowly regaining its uphill momentum as my immunity system restores itself as well. In an attempt to respectfully avoid any more slumpin’, I strive to REM cycle more and pset (do problem sets/homework) earlier, but more importantly live in the present.

Today was a day of epic proportions – my first of three organic chemistry midterms is over! After going to TF (teaching fellow) and PSL (peer student leader) office hours and reviewing lectures over the long weekend, I actually felt prepared. I also spent the majority of tonight rewarding myself with cookies and the fabulous Mather House also had a movie night showing a classic: Mean Girls with Lindsay Lohan … your face smells like peppermint.

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The 5th Monday

February 19, 2012 in Scott's Blog by Scott Yim | 2 comments

I can’t believe it’s already the 5th Monday of the spring semester. Have I been keeping track? No, and while I guess I could simply use a calendar and count, the 5th Monday of each semester is widely advertised on campus because it’s the “Add/Drop Deadline” for your course schedule. What this means is that students can add or drop a course anytime before this day without receiving a mark of “withdraw” on their transcripts. The typical semester here consists of taking 4 courses. However, many people decide to enroll in 5 classes for a variety of different reasons: to take an extra course they’re interested in, to fulfill extra requirements, or even just to challenge themselves even more. I mentioned in an earlier post that I put 5 courses on my study card back in January, which is essentially just a list of classes you submit to the College letting them know which classes you are taking for the semester. I write about the Add/Drop Deadline not to bore you, but because I am dropping my 5th course! I mulled over it for a very long time because I really wanted to take 5, but I realized that instead of going to that class and doing all the work for it, I’d rather invest my time into clubs that I’m in or going to the gym or something else that exercises a different part of my brain. That’s basically my excuse for saying that it didn’t end up working out.

Another thing that’s been taking up much of my time lately is summer plans. I’ve been trying to figure out what I’m going to be doing for a while now. There are so many opportunities–traveling, public service, studying abroad, internships, etc. and then there are all the different locations! Well, what city I’ll be in isn’t exactly my choice, but instead something that just comes with whatever program or company I end up working with. Last summer, I was in Cambridge as a General Program Proctor for Harvard Summer School, helping students adjust to life on campus for 6 weeks. I also took a computer science class and got to enjoy the city during the summer months, which was a very different experience than life here during the normal semester.

To celebrate President’s Day Weekend (we have tomorrow–Monday–off from class!), my friends and I had a pizza party in my room with delicious pizza from Pinocchio’s, which is a Harvard staple. Actually, my friend Lina brought all of the pizza from work. She supervises Unit Test grading for Economics 10, an introductory economics course, that is essentially a supplementary educational program designed to help students prepare for their Ec10 exams. Regardless, Pinocchio’s (or “Noch’s” for short) is a restaurant you definitely need to check out if you’re ever around the area!

Pizza from Noch's!

Pizza from Noch's!

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A Tale of Two “Mornings”: A Week in Review

February 17, 2012 in Natalie's Blog by npadilla | 2 comments

It’s the moment when you wake up and realize its still dark out that something is wrong—this happened twice in a one-day span. Don’t try this at home kids (unless you have it, but boy its rough), but when you have to wake up at 3am after a 2 hour nap to finish a paper due that morning, the next “nap” you take at 3pm may happen to turn into sleep (until 9pm). As a result, apologies for the late update.

 

Perhaps it was all the “I’ll finish it tomorrow” sentiments, but who could resist during this week of love and celebration. It began on Monday when my housemaster hosted his Open House—a great gathering in the master’s residence filled with friends, food, and fun including anything from costume parties on Halloween to pre-valentine card making as per this week. Even through the crowded residence my friends, after first greeting our housemaster, made a beeline for the Monkeybread.

 

And what is Moneybread you ask? If you have to ask, you have been missing out. The picture above describes it all, but this freshly made wonder from each Open House is basically a giant cinnamon roll. A Leverett House classic.

 

So there was that, and then there was Valentine’s Day, and a celebration with friends in the dorm. A ground meeting with the Food Literacy Project here, some planning for the Culinary Society Guacamole Festival (only weeks away!) there, and somehow its Thursday afternoon and work has just ended at 4pm. (At least there’s a delicious sandwich from Clover, my part-time job, involved).

 

In a sleepless daze that was the hours after I turned my paper in, I couldn’t help but be caught in awe as I admired the Harvard façade—yes, it was beautiful, but more it was quirky. The building for the departments represents each so well: the philosophy building—Emerson—with your large and clearly ancient armchairs, the Science Center in a shape of an—outdated—camera. And each with their own complimentary library filled the smell of old books—who doesn’t love that smell?

 

Needless to say, the paper turned out fine, and sleep is right around the corner. Have a good night!

 

~Natalie

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#busybusybusy

February 17, 2012 in Kemie's Blog by Kemie | No comments

Hi all!

This past week has been okay, but nothing too exciting happened in the last seven days.  I don’t really feel like I’ve had the time to sit still long enough to really process what is going on in my life at this moment.  So instead of re-capping things that happened in hindsight, I’m going to focus on all of the great things that I have to look forward to.

February

-Cultural Rhythms at the end of the month!

March

-Spring Break!  I don’t have any specific plans as of now, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.

April

-Yard Fest, which is a concert held every year in the Yard.  Last year the special guests were White Panda, Sam Adams, and Far East Movement!  They haven’t announced who will be performing this year, but it will be fun regardless.  Everyone gathers together in the yard for great food, great music, and just an overal great time.

May

-I’ll be flying down to Charlottesville, Virginia, to see my older sister graduate from the University of Virginia.  I’m so proud of her already, and it’s nowhere near May…

 

It’s great to have something to look forward to when things get a little hectic around here.  Hopefully things will calm down by next week!

First-Generation College Student Dreams

February 15, 2012 in Jesse's Blog by Jesse Sanchez | No comments

It feels so incredible to be back! Not only is it great seeing old friends and making new ones, my classes this semester are inspiring new self-exploration in a way that I have never felt before. I came back a new person with my passion for Education & Education Policy reinforced and after so many amazing experiences working with students around the world, I now have the opportunity to study the systems, structures, and dynamics that govern the Educational world from an academic setting in the Harvard classroom.

It’s hard to explain how it feels to be in a classroom studying ‘yourself’ and the models that were meant to help you- All I can say is that I am grateful to be on this side of the analysis for once. I am acquiring the tools necessary for me to make an impact in the field I feel so passionate about and I can’t wait to bring my perspective to a world that is beginning to be introduced to ‘people like me.’ &Feel free to interpret that as you see fit.

I am not only a Harvard Student or a First-Generation College Student or a First-Generation American or a Minority Student or a ‘Low-Income Student’ – I am all of these things and more, infused in a way that gives my perspective and voice a unique resonance that I have been dying to share since the day I knew I was meant to enact change. Of course, I have quite a bit of growing to do and things that I have yet to learn but know that my voice will be heard.

But my voice isn’t the only one worth hearing- we need your voice too. &Only you can provide it. As long as you continue seeking the tools available through higher education, your voice will resonate louder than mine ever could.

College is a place for growth and I’m happy that Harvard has been relentless in the challenges it has set before me because without these challenges, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“The more life pushes you back, the more you can move forward.” If that’s true, then I’m more than ready for whatever this semester has in store for me.

If you want a more vivid look into what my Harvard experience is like, watch my weekly video series – “Wake-Up Wednesdays.” Let’s Live out our First-Generation College Student Dreams Together.

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Scrabble Letters

February 15, 2012 in Jeanie's Blog by Jeanie Nguyen | No comments

One of the first things a person learns is the alphabet. One of things people can cherish most is the letters that follow their name –whether those letters are MD, JD or PhD, etc.

In the past, men have had most of the ownership over these letters, but as time goes on, women are claiming their rightful ownership as well. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day (Singles Awareness Day or Stuff-your-face-with-chocolate Day), a New York Times article was circulating the emails of many Harvard women. This article was comforting, especially because I spent a week before my sophomore year discussing the hardships of harmoniously intertwining a successful career, a blissful marriage, and precious children.

Last August, I spent a week participating in the Harvard-Radcliffe Women’s Leadership Conference. During this week, I met 39 beautiful and driven undergraduate women and soaked in the wisdom of successful female panelists who work in various fields ranging from consulting to entertainment communications. One of the recurring questions from my peers during the panels inquired about the possibilities of being successful as well as being a mother. All panelists defended that being a “power mommy” is possible, but none of these defenses stemmed from personal experience which left us aspiring women skeptical.

Our doubts drove extremely profound dinner conversations about love, goals, and dreams. We articulated our observations about how sometimes it seems like boys don’t like to date girls they deem as their equals due to the intimidation factor. We sketched our life plans by trying to coordinate pregnancy with the chilliest time in graduate school. And most importantly, we prioritized ourselves and embraced the words of Sheryl Sandberg.

A large part of conversations here at Harvard include shallow facts such as origin, concentration, and dorm/upperclassmen house affiliation. Yet more often than not, a lot of conversations dig really deep into controversial and worrisome topics – this is one of my favorite things about Harvard. The environment and its supplementary programs are super conducive to open discussion. Therefore, my peers provoke my thoughts just as much as my professors! It’s always really refreshing to be learning from all those around you because an immense amount of learning is completed outside the constraints of a classroom. Perhaps the next epic lesson you’ll learn will come from a game of Scrabble! Get ready to rack those letters up :)

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#culturalrhythms

February 11, 2012 in Kemie's Blog by Kemie | 1 comment

The tickets for the Harvard Foundation’s Cultural Rhythms went on sale this Thursday!  I am happy to report that I got in line as soon as I got out of class in the afternoon, so I am now the proud owner of two tickets to the show!

The Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations is devoted to encouraging diversity on campus by sponsoring activities and events that promote cultural awareness.  Although I am not personally involved in the group, I have a few friends on-campus that work as interns for the Foundation.  Culture Rhythms is the Harvard Foundation’s biggest production of the year, and each year the Foundation selects a distinguished performing artist that represents the Foundation’s mission statement, and honor them with the title of Artist of the Year.

There are a bunch of different components to the Cultural Rhythms Festival, including an ethnic-cuisine tasting and a small luncheon in Kirkland House with the Artist of the Year, but the main production is the afternoon performance in Sanders Theatre.

Luncheon in Kirkland

Last year's luncheon in the Kirkland House dining hall.

The show features performances by a wide array of cultural groups on campus, so there will be singing, dancing, and just about anything entertaining.  Moreover, the show is co-emceed by a Harvard Foundation Intern and the Artist of the Year!  To be clear, Cultural Rhythms is exciting in and of itself, but the Foundation has done a great job of attracting well-known and influential Artists of the Year while I have been here at Harvard.  Last year, Shakira was honored with the title…and this year the Artist of the Year is John Legend!

This year's poster for Cultural Rhythms.

This year's poster for Cultural Rhythms, featuring John Legend.

This will actually be the first Cultural Rhythms show of my undergraduate experience.  Last year I went to the luncheon in Kirkland with Shakira, but I didn’t make it to the actual performance.  I was having one of those days and I was too tired to do anything but sleep, so I gave my ticket away to a friend.  At the time I was dealing with my first wave of midterms, and school and health come first!  It was, admittedly, a bitter pill to swallow, but this is my year to redeem myself.  In 2012 I will not opt out of Cultural Rhythms to take a nap… I hope.

Shakira at Cultural Rhythms

Shakira receiving a special gift from the interns of the Harvard Foundation. This was taken at last year's luncheon.

That’s about it!  The show will be at the end of the month, so I’ll be sure to give you all a full report.  Happy Weekend!

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February 10, 2012 in Natalie's Blog by npadilla | 3 comments

Inside the I-Lab

If you’re in college, Boston, New York, California, or perhaps many other places around the U.S., you may have noticed the explosion of “start-ups”. A recent article I read suggested this movement is indicative of a large economic movement. Just as over a hundred years ago marked a move towards massive industrialization and so a new boss-employee relationship from the days of the small-scale apprentice, so too may this era be marked by a move towards independent or self-starter employment from freelancing to entrepreneurship.

 

Harvard, along with other universities, has caught up to this idea and the result is spectacular: The Harvard Innovation Lab. Open from 9am to midnight every day, the I-Lab—as its known—hosts events to prospective entrepreneurs, provides space for start-ups, and offers a wealth of advice from entrepreneurs-in-residence, mentors, and other experts in the legal and investment fields.

 

Harvard Business School (across the river from Harvard Yard)

Yesterday I jumped on the Harvard shuttle across the river to the business school to check out the newly opened I-Lab. The event? Evaluating your Start-up Career. Entrepreneurship has always been a passion for me—perhaps it’s the idea of a 9 to 5 desk job, but more likely it’s the opportunity to really create something new and of value. Indeed, as a recent speaker noted, entrepreneurs are business artists.

 

The event was an hour and a half and led by two successful entrepreneurs, one who create the product of e-ink (Have a kindle or nook? It’s the screen). I was happy to find I wasn’t the only one (undergrad, Harvard Business School student, or MIT grad) wondering about how to evaluate risk or the most important key to a start-up, recruiting a great team. The wealth of resources for student entrepreneurs is fantastic and I can’t wait to see the development of the in-residence start-ups a few years down the road.

 

Speaking of start-ups, you may have remembered my mentioning the Harvard Careers in Food & Wine from over wintersession: through that I meet a great start-up company, two years started, 90+ Cellars, a wine distribution company. Today was my first day beginning an internship with them on their marketing and operations team—a fantastic opportunity for learning an industry from the very start of a company. I’m looking forward to the experience and will update soon about it. I’m looking forward to a thesis-ful weekend, but a chance to take advantage of Harvard’s new ice-skating rink on Tuesday, Valentine’s Day. Hope you all have a great weekend!

 

~Natalie

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Brazil (Round 2) & Mexico’s Former President

February 9, 2012 in Jesse's Blog by Jesse Sanchez | 1 comment

These past 8 months have transformed me in more ways than I can put into words. 2011 was a life-changing year and it seems as if it only set the momentum for 2012! The new year has already begun to take its effect and I’m happy to report that the personal growth continues because as uncertain as the future may seem, we can always be sure that change is waiting at the cusp of every decision. We must welcome this change, embrace its effects, and use what we learn to foster positivity in our environment.

I have finally realized that no matter what environment I am in, I find myself learning the most from the people working alongside me- specifically, the youth. Working with MLAB this January was truly a blessing. As much as I wanted to successfully fulfill my role as an MLAB Mentor, I am convinced that my mentees ended up teaching me more than I could possibly teach them. These students were incredible.

For example, these students managed to provide guest speakers with questions so challenging and filled with such technical language that there were times where I still had trouble understanding when translated into English. In addition, the only thing more impressive than their current intellectual level was their drive to continuously reach higher. You would see them often studying away on our break time, looking up new English vocabulary, asking for help with pronunciation- MLAB really was an exceptional group. And not only were they incredibly intelligent, they knew how to have fun too! I remember how heated our MarioKart races would get and I can’t believe how many times Baby Peach would come from behind with a red shell to take my place at the top (I want a rematch, Barbara!).

The MLAB family provided unforgettable memories and a renewed determination to keep working as hard as I can and to give back as much as I can along the way to my full potential. These students’ ambition fueled my own and their humility and respect for each other reminded me that no one person’s goals are completely separate from those of others. The connection we formed will stay with me forever and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish.

Immediately following MLAB, I had the honor of working alongside Former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, in implementing a model to help local students in Guanajuato strive for higher education. This experience and what came thereafter, I believe, changed me the most out of my entire 8-month journey. Perhaps it was the way I was able to utilize my journey’s lessons in Guanajuato and how everything seemed to come full circle for me like never before.

After seeing parts of the world I never thought I’d ever see, I found myself coming back to the country of my family and my ancestors and discovering parallels between each community I had visited as well as the triumphs and struggles that come with them. These parallels became all too real very shortly after arriving.

As much as I want to elaborate now, I want to wait until I can actually show you my experience. I recorded several reflections as they happened and am looking forward to when I can piece them together in a way that provides an accurate look into my experience. Until then, please listen to the words of my friend for he is a very wise and humble man.

Words from Former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox

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