While Claremont seems to be in a perpetual state of summer and sunshine, other parts of the world experience (believe it or not!) such things as snow and winter! Here in Hungary, where I am studying abroad this semester, we’ve been fighting off the cold with plenty of hot chocolate, mulled wine, and cozy socks, but the locals in the Hungarian village of Mohacs have a more festi...
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“We Should Totally Get a Meal Sometime”: The Seven Lunches You’ll Eat at Pomona
It may come as a surprise to some people, but there’s a lot of work to be done in college. Papers, lab reports, readings, projects, paperwork, applications… We students are a busy bunch. Some (unfortunately for their schedules) are also very extroverted and social. During the week, it can be extremely difficult to find time for everything you want to do -- either you lose sleep...
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Hairitage: The Black Hair Conference
Last week I got the chance to participate in the 3rd annual Black Hair Conference here at Pomona College. The event, sponsored by the Pan African Student Association (PASA), started as a space to start dialogue about the politics of Black hair amongst the Black community from the Claremont Colleges and beyond. This year, the dinner/conference was at full capacity as hosts C...
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What Are College Summers Like?
It's that time of year -- everyone seems to be anxiously applying to programs/internships/jobs/research positions/funding etc. Over Family Weekend, standing in front of my CDO Summer Experience Funding poster, I fielded tons of questions from eager parents of first-year students. I've been asked the vague questions "Where do you want to be this summer?" and "What are your s...
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What I Wish I Had Known About AP Courses
"They'll give you college credit!"
"You'll be able to get ahead and graduate earlier!"
"They look impressive to colleges!"
"You can use them to demonstrate exceptional ability in a particular academic discipline!"
"Take as many as possible!"
"You have to get a 5."
"You can't take the test without a class."
Have you ever heard a teacher, parent, or friend sa...
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Reading, Locations, and Race
"America talks too much about race. America also talks too little about race." These are lines from award-winning Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest novel Americanah that echo in my head. I read Adichie’s book last summer, since it was the Pomona College summer reading assignment. As I read, I jolted down some questions, which I hoped to ask the author (who gave ...
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Developing Professional Skills as a First-Year Student (Part 1)
One of the things that scared me the most as I entered college was the prospect of reality. Words like “decisions,” “long-term plans,” and “responsibilities” loomed over me, but I soon encountered multiple valuable resources for developing professional skills.
Over winter break, I participated in the Career Development Office’s (CDO) Shadow a Sagehen program. Through thi...
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Why the World Should Be Run by Professors
Out of sheer PSSD (post-swim-season disorder), I find myself with a few extra minutes of free time and energy to appreciate the non-water-related things in life. Today, this just so happens to be Claremont professors.
First of all, I still cannot help but feel an amalgam of giddiness and grandeur as I turn towards one of my teachers and address them as "Professor". I feel li...
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For the Prospective Student Thinking About Studying Abroad
The issue of study abroad has been discussed over and over again on this blog, probably moreso than any other single topic. However, it really testifies to the experiences and rewards that studying abroad can bring to a student, and today, I am going to provide my two cents’ worth on the matter.
I studied abroad in Kyoto, Japan, and while many students choose to study ab...
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Around the World in 90 Minutes
Have you ever wanted to sample cultural foods from around the world (fasnetsscherben, okonomiyaki salmorejo, bhajia za dengu, 烧卖(燒賣)... mmmm!), learn simple phrases in 10 different languages from native speakers, find out which German city suits you the best, receive a hand-written card in Spanish, and meet King Cyrus, all without worrying about travel expenses and taking too m...
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