los angeles – Voices

A Taste of France in LA!

Posted on December 19, 2022 by Arie Lewis-Pugh

By Arie Lewis-Pugh ‘26 Last week, I had the opportunity to go on a language excursion hosted by Pomona’s French language resident. We saw the play La Machine de Turing about Alan Turing, the man who solved the German enigma during the second World War and is also credited with creating the earliest version of a computer, which he called “thinking machines.” Though our exc...

First-Year Adventures in Southern California

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Marc Beaulac

By Marc Beaulac ‘26 As a first-year, it has been interesting transitioning into independent life, especially as the plethora of activities that Pomona College offers keeps one in the 5C bubble. However, one of the elements I have appreciated the most is the activities that can be found in Claremont as well as the whole of L.A. county. During the relative peacefulness of f...

Do You Love the Beach Like I Do?

Posted on June 21, 2022September 21, 2022 by Bilal Adamjee

Bilal and 2 friends at the beach with Santa Monica Pier in background

By Bilal Adamjee ‘24 I love the beach. When people ask me, ‘What brought you to Pomona College?’ the beach always comes up. The beach does remind me of home – that, and the warm weather and palm trees. It was honestly a big factor in deciding where I wanted to study when I first started my college applications in high school. I was born and raised in Kenya, where I’ve spe...

Catching a Concert in L.A.

Posted on April 22, 2022September 21, 2022 by Porter Reyes

By Porter Reyes ‘25 My friends and I are often antsy to get off campus. Even though there’s usually a lot going on at Pomona (plays, orchestra performances, lectures, etc.), Southern California has many places to visit and things to do. Recently, my friends and I drove to the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood to watch one of my favorite artists in concert, Tkay Maidza! While...

An L.A. Adventure

Posted on April 7, 2022September 21, 2022 by Emma Grace Howlett

By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 Last weekend, I found myself on an uncharacteristically spontaneous expedition to Los Angeles with my friends. Our day began with an hour-long train ride to LA’s Union Station, a grand, commanding building with arched, painted ceilings. The yellow ochre walls glowed golden, afternoon light streaming in through a wall of high glass windows. After tak...

Why a Liberal Arts Education Is Like a Thali

Posted on January 6, 2022September 21, 2022 by Vidusshi Hingad

By Vidusshi Hingad '25 A liberal arts education is like a thali. I promise you this analogy makes sense—just stick with me! Just like the thali is a large plate in which a plethora of dishes are served, a liberal arts education is like tasting different flavors of areas of knowledge which eventually develop your taste buds to their maximum potential. [At Pomona] you are requ...

Breaking Out of the Claremont Bubble

Posted on December 8, 2021September 21, 2022 by Sonam Rikha

By Sonam Rikha ‘24 From snazzy pop songs about the city to Disney channel movies set in the area, a glamorous image of Los Angeles has always been ingrained in my head. So when my friends asked me if I wanted to go to downtown L.A., I responded with childlike joy. Despite the warnings from peers to lower my expectations, I couldn’t erase the delicate images and stories of L....

It’s the Culture for Me

Posted on February 15, 2021September 21, 2022 by Sonam Rikha

By Sonam Rikha ’24 Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of going to Los Angeles and walking down Hollywood Boulevard. When, as a high school senior, I stepped out of the LAX airport, I was greeted by California palm trees and the L.A. heat. Even though Pomona is in Claremont, 35 miles from the glamorized city of Los Angeles, the laid back and sunny environment in Claremo...

4+7 Things I Realized About Pomona as a Sophomore

Posted on February 9, 2021September 21, 2022 by Chris Meng

By Chris Meng ’23 It’s hard to believe that I am starting my second semester of my sophomore year. At the end of May, I will be halfway done with college, and I will have somehow reached the age of 21. Over my nearly two-month winter break, I spent a lot of time with family and friends (mostly virtually), having conversations with them and myself that gave me a chance to ref...

Car-Less in Claremont

Posted on January 3, 2021September 21, 2022 by Chloe Mandel

By Chloe Mandel ’23 In my suburban Connecticut hometown, I fully depended on the use of a car to get around. Since the day I got my license in my junior year of high school, I’ve embraced the opportunity to drive my parents’ slightly worn-out Chevy Equinox everywhere I’ve needed to go. Granted, my daily drives to school were often full of frustration as I waited in a long li...