Near the end of last semester, excitement over my Club Sailing team’s annual Florida training trip was mounting, as the week promised plenty of sunshine, sailing and team bonding after a brutal finals period.

It only takes a quick glance at the Admission Viewbook to notice the plethora of choices that await you at Princeton.

This semester, I’m studying abroad through the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, taking courses in ecology, animal behavior, and conservation.

On occasion, Princeton affords me an opportunity that seems nothing short of miraculous. People ask me how these experiences fall into my lap, and sometimes I have an explanation, but oftentimes I’ve just two words: Princeton magic. Over intersession, Princeton magic took me to Paris.

I lead a Mentor Lifestyle because I have not forgotten where I come from. However, I admittedly did at one point, during my first semester at Princeton.

I believe it's easy to become wrapped up in trying to get the most out of the "college experience." I know I did during my first semester. Completing rigorous coursework, meeting interesting people, and adapting to a new environment made me forget about the struggles I faced with poverty and a lack of educational opportunities back home in the Rio Grande Valley. Princeton served as a sort of paradise that gave me the freedom to live an independent life, revel in newfound camaraderie, and expand my mind. I knew I wouldn't have received the same opportunities back home—nothing remotely close. But eventually the semester ended, and Christmas break led me back to the real world.

My three weeks at home opened my eyes to the reality I had grown up with all my life. It was a jarring experience to realize that the Rio Grande Valley was still a poverty-stricken region and that the students at my alma mater still weren’t receiving the educational opportunities they deserved.

Why was this shocking to me? I knew serious problems existed back home, but I didn’t realize the scope of these disparities until I left everything I thought I knew behind and later returned with new perspectives. I discovered how fortunate I was to go to Princeton and how unfair it was that others had to live in underprivileged conditions. This spurred me to think about how to solve this issue the best way I could.

The result was the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo College, Scholarship, Leadership Awareness Program (PSJA CSLAP). During the summer of 2013, a group of friends and I held seminars, workshops, and test prep sessions about the college application process. I met many students whose stories and aspirations cemented me in my desire to become an educator. It also fulfilled a void in me. I felt that I had longed for this type of lifestyle, helping others achieve and grow, and living it made me happy.

To this day, my mentees occupy significant chunks of my thoughts. I still thoroughly enjoy my "college experience," but it's been supplemented by my Mentor Lifestyle. I am not only present here at Princeton, but in my community as well. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hello from Japan!

I am writing my blog entries now from my dorm room at Keio University, sitting by my window that overlooks the glowing city of Tokyo. Though the sun is setting here, I know that my family and friends across the world are just waking up along America's East Coast.

This is my third time going abroad as a Princeton student, so I am used to this extreme space and time difference. The summers after freshmen and sophomore year, I studied in China and worked in India, respectively, gaining exposure to the international perspective. As someone whose primary academic interest is international relations, I love to travel and experience new cultures as often as I can.

Though I am back in Asia once again, this is my first time actually spending a semester as a study-abroad student, and I will consequently be spending my longest time away from home. Four other Princeton students and I are taking part of a brand new Comparative East Asian Studies program hosted through the Woodrow Wilson School. The program includes study and internship across Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong, extending over the summer and spanning in total six months.

A lot of my friends back on campus questioned why I would devote so much of my time with Princeton living and traveling abroad. But I simply can't turn down the wonderful Princeton study abroad opportunities, especially when they are subsidized by scholarships and financial aid. More important, many of my greatest college experiences have come outside of the Orange Bubble, and outside of the United States. In my opinion, many more students should gain international experience while in college (it's one of the easiest times to do so), and I hope more departments adopt an international experience requirement similar to that of the Woodrow Wilson School.

This semester, and this new adventure abroad, has just begun. Things I instantly love about Japan are the foods, the hospitality, and the pop-culture. Though I’ve only been here two weeks, I’ve already learned so much about Japanese language and culture from classes and my new friends (from the latter, I've mostly learned fun slang terms). I’m stoked to see what Korea and Hong Kong have to offer over the next few months. You’ll continue to hear from me on this blog during my program, both about campus life and life abroad. For now, Sayonara!

An awesome tree near Tokyo, Japan.[/caption]

 

 

“What’s your major?” A useful phrase in the toolbox of mundane small talk, and for many freshmen who aren’t pre-med or engineers (God bless their souls), the answer ranges from halfhearted speculation to a resolute, “Undecided.” Every now and then, though, the question becomes personal, and, at least for me, it sounds more like, “How could I possibly choose?”

So today, let's chat a bit about food and eating experiences at Princeton!

This summer, I finally made an Instagram account, and ever since Princeton has been one of my favorite subjects. I’ve decided to share my six favorite #princetagrams with you all!

#1) The Blair-Joline Courtyard in Mathey College

Every morning, I walk out of my room to this view; this photo just happened to be right after the very first snow of the year! 

 

 

#2) Blair Arch

Home sweet home – I’m lucky enough to be living in this iconic building this year! It’s a favorite for photo ops and arch sings. 

 

#3) The Princeton Boathouse on Carnegie Lake

As a former rower, this place will always hold a special place in my heart. Even now it’s one of my favorite spots on campus, especially for an evening run!

 

#4) The Arches by Holder Hall, Rockefeller College

This walkway is one of those places that never fails to make me stop and think about how lucky I am to go to Princeton. It’s a favorite for Ralph Lauren commercials filmed on campus, and one of the scenes from the move "Admission" was shot here.  

 

#5) The Cap & Gown Club Library

The eating clubs serve as a place for upperclassmen to eat, hang out, and (sometimes) do schoolwork – this room is one of my favorite places to study on campus. 

 

#6) The Woody Woo Fountain, Woodrow Wilson School

A perfect place to take pictures when you’re all dressed up before Lawnparties, or to celebrate when you’ve turned in your thesis (if you’re in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy). 

 

So winter break has been happening these past few weeks, and I have loved every minute of relaxation. But there’s been this nagging excitement in me since the day I left campus.