The OUS Newsletter highlights the achievements as well as activities of our OUS scholars, faculty, and staff around campus and beyond.

You can download the March issue here.

SHARE

Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Major: Computer Science

What was your favorite part of Japan?

I really liked the space in the city–Kyoto especially. The space Japan creates is different from the United States. I like to explore a lot. So, it was really fascinating to me. For example, I went to a river next to where I was staying. It stretches pretty far–north and south, I think. I liked walking down it and finding a different part of the area I was living in. It was really cool because the river would change. It had a lot of characteristics to it. The river would morph itself according to its circumstances, and it is really beautiful at night. You can hear the splashing of the water.

What is one thing Japanese culture has taught you?

I think on like a really big sense, it taught me how flexible certain aspect of our culture is. This flexibility provides a more interesting perspective of our humanity. The people I hung around taught me to appreciate certain routines–the act of doing. We would go do many different things for no apparent reason. It was not to kill time, but it was to do something during the day. The culture is much more open to going to gardens, little festivals, and stuff like that for entertainment. It makes daily life more interesting and worthwhile.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a junior interesting in going abroad?

I think it would be great to go out of your comfort zone whenever you get an opportunity. I think it is important that if your host family or others you know invite you to go somewhere, it would be better to go. You don’t know what is really going to happen. For the times I decided not to go to certain places, I regretted it. The places my host family recommended were really memorable. Don’t be afraid to say yes.

SHARE

Hometown:
Brooklyn, NY

Awards and Leadership Positions:
Most Dedicated Student
Former Chief President of Brothers

One class that has shaped your opinion and how?

Any leadership position you have had at Colgate or outside of Colgate you would like to expound upon?

I have always tried to be a leader in everything I do. At Colgate, I was the chief of Brothers, and I also served in other core positions within the group. I endeavored to continue the group’s mission statement of educating the community about issues men of color face through brown bags and guest speakers,  creating a support network for men of color on campus, and supporting other interest groups focusing on diversity on campus.

Each summer, I serve as one of the supervisors for staff members for the Oliver Scholar Program (of which I am an alumnus) during its summer immersion program. The non-profit organization seeks to provide inner-city students of color with the opportunity to attend elite independent/prep schools in the United States. The summer immersion program vets and prepares candidates for the rigor of the independent school learning environment. I am responsible for standardized test prep classes, tutoring sessions, community building, community activities, and supervising all counselors and teaching assistants for the duration of the program.

How was your host family in Madrid, Spain? 

I had a host mom. Her children were grown with kids of their own. My host mom was great. She gave me cooking lessons. I learned how to make traditional Spanish food like paella. She also took me to classical music concerts, plays, and theater. She is a patron of the Museo Nacional del Prado. Sometimes, she would take me as a plus-one, and the museum would give us private tours.

How has international education changed your perspective? 

I went to Munich, Paris, and Amsterdam; I also traveled throughout Spain. I think having the opportunity to study abroad gave me a different perspective on learning and life. When you travel, you get to see the world through a different perspective–politically and morally.  It forces you to question your beliefs, or it enforces them. Traveling gives you the opportunity to explore yourself.

SHARE