Summer – Voices

The Summer Internship Roller Coaster

Posted on February 9, 2022September 21, 2022 by Sonam Rikha

Zoom with Richard Gere and other participants

By Sonam Rikha ’24 I never expected the exhilarating highs and crushing lows of last summer’s internship search. Who knew that looking for a summer internship could feel like a never ending roller coaster of obstacles and surprises. During the spring semester, students are often left scrambling to find an internship or some other opportunity to fill up the long summer day...

Move-In Day, Take Two

Posted on September 6, 2021September 21, 2022 by Lucy Pan

By Lucy Pan '24 Move-in day for first-year college students is often seen as a significant moment in one’s transition to college. It’s the day when we leave our families and truly step into adulthood for the first time, and it usually occurs at the beginning of our first semester. I’d watched videos of students celebrating this step in their journey with their families and a...

Q&A with a Geology Major

Posted on August 23, 2021September 21, 2022 by Siena Swift

Dede in puffer jacket, kissing a stuffed bison, with snowy mountains in background

By Siena Swift ’23 This week I interviewed Bert & Rocky’s-loving Dede Chapline ‘23, who is one half of the iconic snake mom, OKC superstars duo with last week’s interviewee Lilly Haave (see “Q&A with a Transfer Student” for further explanation). This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Q: Can you please introduce yourself? A: My name i...

Return to Pomona?

Posted on August 16, 2021September 21, 2022 by Leslie Paz

Leslie giving peace sign in front of washing machine

By Leslie Paz ’24 Crossing through Pomona’s gates as a sophomore was weird to say the least. After a whole year online, my long awaited arrival to campus (and traditional entry through Pomona’s gates) was surreal and like a dream. My first few days were filled with excitement and just a little hint of confusion. To set the scene, I started the day by walking in circles a...

What Is Research Anyway? (Don’t worry, I had no idea either)

Posted on July 30, 2021September 21, 2022 by Youssef El Mosalami

group of 9 students smiling for selfie shot outside

By Youssef El Mosalami ‘24 After a grueling online semester full of multiple spontaneous FaceTime calls, outings in NYC with other Pomona students who lived in the area, and turning off my camera during class to nom down on some lunch (don’t tell my professors), I definitely missed being able to give friends hugs when I saw them or just being in the physical presence of oth...

Taking Philosophy to the Public

Posted on November 2, 2020September 21, 2022 by Kevin Hua

By Kevin Hua ‘23 About two years ago I first encountered philosophy in an untraditional fashion over the Internet–it all began when a schoolmate of mine urged me to check out “a cool online philosophy course on death.” My high school in China did not have philosophy in its curriculum, but among the general public and high school students, the subject was considered lofty ...

Life as a Virtual Admissions Summer Fellow

Posted on September 15, 2020September 21, 2022 by Chris Meng

By Chris Meng ’23 Dear Christopher, It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join the Office of Admissions at Pomona College as a Virtual Summer Fellow. All the way back in May, I accepted an offer to work with admissions this summer. I feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to find a paid position that I was excited about pursuing. I literally didn’t know...

Why I Like a Semester System

Posted on August 18, 2020September 21, 2022 by Danny DeBare

By Danny DeBare ‘22 When looking for a college that fits well, many prospective students choose to focus on specific fields of study. After all, we are talking about college, a place you go to study a subject matter. When deciphering what size and style of university (liberal arts, research university, vocational school, community college, etc.) fits best with a desired area...

Help! I’m 20 Years Old And I’ve Never Had An Internship

Posted on June 29, 2020September 21, 2022 by Stevie Matheny

By Stevie Matheny ‘22 My Jobs Up Until This Point Steam the milk. Cue the shots. Pump the syrup. Catch the shots. Pour the milk. Serve the coffee. Repeat. This has been my work experience for the past three years, and, honestly, I’ve LOVED it. It’s clear-cut, it’s relational, and it’s a service to others. But at the end of the day, my desire...

My Experience Backpacking in Southeast Asia

Posted on June 18, 2020September 21, 2022 by Toran Langford

By Toran Langford '21 This past summer, I participated in Operation Groundswell. I was a “backpacktivist” in Thailand. Then, I explored Cambodia on my own. This coined term “backpacktivist” means to act as a guest in a place others call home. We were supposed to adhere to local traditions and customs, which allows us to understand the value of cultures different from our own...