As a break from my regularly-scheduled sad/nostalgic blog posts, I decided to write this month’s post about my favorite beverage, matcha, and where to get it on and around campus. I have tried matcha at most of the places around Princeton, with a staple being Coffee Club, where they also have seasonal variations of the beverage—the current (Spring 2024) variation is the mango matcha lemonade. So here are my favorite places to have matcha! 

• Junbi
  • Admittedly, Junbi is not my favorite place to get plain matcha, in part because I like sweeter drinks and Junbi’s matcha is not the sweetest. However, getting the strawberry matcha latte with boba is an unparalleled experience, where you can indulge in a light dose of strawberry, the sweet chewiness of tapioca pearls, and the freshness of Junbi’s matcha all at once. 
• Wawa
  • This might be an unconventional take, especially since Wawa and matcha does not seem to make that much sense. However, the vanilla matcha at wawa, while certainly with a bit of an artificial flavoring, is the perfect mix of sweetness with a hint of matcha flavor that makes it a perfect afternoon treat. I tried the matcha at Wawa on a complete whim, and honestly, I haven’t been able to stop going. 
• Sakrid
  • Truth be told, I have only had Sakrid matcha once. But the one time that I did, it was SO good. It had the lightness of Coffee Club, the sweetness of Wawa, and the freshness of Junbi, all in one. I would highly recommend it. 
• Coffee Club (our student-run on-campus coffee shops)
  • Coffee Club at both locations, while might not deliver the sweetest matcha you have ever had (sad news for someone with a large sweet tooth such as myself), gives you the flexibility to customize your own drinks (I love getting the strawberry and/or raspberry matcha, or if they have it, the honey matcha). Also, the matcha here is very consistent. I always know what I'm getting into when I am getting Coffee Club matcha, and it is also very light, which is perfect when I don’t want a particularly strong dose of matcha powder in my drink. (And the baristas are always so lovely to chat with!)
• Small World
  • If I am being honest, the oat-y flavor of Small World does not speak to me that much, and I think the matcha is a bit overpriced for what you are getting. I would honestly recommend the coffee at Small World over the matcha there. However, this is also a personal preference, and the matcha does not have the artificial taste that some of the alternatives on this list may have. 

Even if you asked me to, I would not be able to give a definitive ranking of all of the matcha spots around campus, in part because I seek them all out for different reasons. I hope you are able to look at my comments and make a decision for the matcha you want to have for the day!

For avid Princeton Tiger fans, there's nothing quite like the atmosphere of Ivy League basketball! Every year, after the conclusion of the regular season, the Ivy League hosts its famous Ivy Madness tournament. This year the tournament was held at Columbia, just a short bus ride away from campus. Naturally, I just had to attend, sporting my finest orange attire to support our men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The energy was electric, as many dedicated fans had traveled from all over in hopes of seeing their team advance to the NCAA March Madness tournament. Our women first matched up against the UPenn Quakers in the semifinal round. Sitting in the Princeton student section at a playoff game is an experience I highly recommend to anyone who has the chance. We cheered, chanted, and rallied behind our players, making new friends throughout the day. The following day, our women’s basketball faced off against the Columbia Lions, brandishing an impressive crowd and home court advantage. Neither our fans nor our players were daunted by the opposing team’s section, and the Tigers secured a hard-fought win against the Lions, earning them the Ivy League Championship and a spot in the March Madness tournament.

Between the men and women’s games, I stopped by a local café to charge my phone and complete some work. I ended up sharing a table with a kind alumnus who had spotted my Princeton gear and initiated a conversation. We talked about life at Princeton, past and present, and I learned that he had been a member of my eating club during his time at the university. I have always loved how athletics at Princeton can bridge the gap between students and alumni, and I hope to one day return and support the Tigers after I graduate next May.

The men’s game went differently than most had anticipated. Despite playing aggressively, the Tigers concluded the first half trailing Brown 31-44. In the second half, Brown’s lead was cut to just 3 points, but our men’s team could not keep up the momentum, and we fell to Brown in the semifinals. While it was sad to have lost so early in the tournament, I am so grateful to have seen such an interesting and energetic game.

I make an effort to travel to our basketball tournament games every year, and I will definitely do so next year as a senior. These games are such special opportunities to showcase Princeton pride and befriend cheerful students and alumni. Whether we play at Harvard, Columbia, or beyond, I always enjoy supporting our wonderful athletes. Go Tigers!

If you’re anything like me, then you’re often finding yourself hungry between the wee hours of 9 PM and 2 AM (especially if you’re pulling the occasional all-nighter!). With all the dining halls on campus closing for dinner at 8 PM, I’ve become quite familiar with all the spots to grab a bite at unconventional hours. Here are my rankings of the best places to find food on campus when you need to satisfy that late night craving:

1) Wawa

I’m originally from northern New Jersey, so I was no stranger to Wawa coming to Princeton. But if you aren’t familiar, Wawa is a local convenience store chain—though, not your typical one. Apart from your standard drinks and snacks, they also have made-to-order hoagies, quesadillas, pizza, and a host of other sides and drinks. Located right in between our Dinky train station and Forbes College, the store offers a great option for both a quick bite or a full-blown meal. And it’s 24/7! That’s right, all day everyday. (P.S. One of my favorite things to get there are their Wawa donuts!) 

2) Studio ‘34

Studio ‘34 is one of campus’s hidden gems. The mini-convenience store is located in the basement of Butler College and operates at the following hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 PM-2 AM. It was closed down during my freshman year, but as soon as it opened back up when I was a sophomore, Studio ‘34 became one of my most frequented hang out spots. It was the perfect place on the weekends to refuel with friends after a late night out on the Street, or even for a snack-and-study session during the week at one of the common spaces nearby. Definitely a go-to place for both eating and socializing!

3) U-Store

The U-Store located at 36 University Place (right by beautiful Blair Arch!) is another great option for late night snacking. It’s half merch/dorm furnishings store, half grocery store, and totally awesome. They have all your basic grocery store items, as well as fresh produce and even packaged meals from local restaurants like Tiger Noodles (a great affordable option if you’re craving food from Nassau Street!). For students who opt to be Independent, or for any students who like to cook, this is an especially convenient spot to grab ingredients. My junior year dorm is only a few feet away from the U-Store, so I’ve definitely gained a newfound appreciation for it this year. 

4) C-Store

Finally, the C-Store is a must have if you’re in a grab-and-go situation. Its options aren’t as plentiful as the first three, but since it's located within Frist Campus Center—the hub of student life at Princeton—many people pass through it on a daily basis. I’ve often found myself snagging a bottle of Coca Cola or a bag of Welch’s Fruit Snacks while I’m at Frist to study. However, the C-Store does close at 9 PM on weekdays and 11 PM on weekends, so if you’re up super late, you’re better off heading to one of the other stores! 
    
Honorable Mention: Late Meal at Frist

As an avid Late Meal enthusiast, I have to give a shoutout to one of my favorite Princeton pastimes. Like the C-Store, Late Meal is located within Frist Campus Center. It’s essentially another little cafeteria, intended for students who aren’t able to eat meals at the normal hours or in the dining halls. And if you’re a freshman or sophomore, then you can automatically get food here for free up to $9.50 everyday! They have a ton of different stations: grill, pasta, pizza, salad, Asian cuisine. The only reason it didn’t make my top four rankings is its time restrictions. Late Lunch is offered Monday-Thursday from 11 AM-4 PM and Late Dinner is offered Monday-Friday from 8:30-10 PM. But when it is open, it’s a student-favorite spot to grab food and hang out! (Be warned, though, it can get super busy during peak hours. I recommend ordering ahead for the grill station using our new TigerDash website!)

There you have it! For all of my fellow snack enthusiasts and night owls, these are my go-to spots that I definitely recommend you check out next time you have that late night craving!

Last summer, through Princeton’s International Internship Program (IIP) I interned at the social policy unit of the nonprofit think tank, Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Malaysia. IIP funds students to intern for 8 weeks at a partner organization in over 50 countries. As this was my first ever internship and my first time in Malaysia, I was very excited about the opportunity. However, as I was the only intern at IDEAS from Princeton, and this was my first time living alone abroad, I was also quite nervous going into my internship. 

When I first arrived in Kuala Lumpur, I had a few days before my internship began, so I decided to travel around to see local attractions. One particular site that I remember fondly was the Batu Caves, a Hindu temple located inside a cave system with 200 steps leading up to it. Next to the stairs is the largest statue in Malaysia, the gold and monumental Murugan statue. I remember trekking up the steps and being surprised at the number of monkeys accompanying me on my journey up. I also remember having a refreshing sip of coconut water around the base of the caves and being excited by the lively energy of the site – a great representation of my time in Kuala Lumpur as a whole. 

When I started my internship, I was excited at the sheer breadth of research opportunities I was presented with. I was primarily tasked with conducting data collection and drafting a paper on youth unemployment in the ASEAN region, transcribing interviews, editing case studies, conducting qualitative research, and writing summaries of other academic research. I particularly enjoyed the travel opportunities that were a part of my internship at IDEAS: visiting Malaysia’s Ministry of Health to take notes during the launch of a paper on breast cancer, and traveling to Gua Musang to conduct a workshop on Orang Asli education. The Orang Asli are the Indigenous peoples of Malaysia.

Beyond the travel for my internship, I also had time for some personal travel on the weekends, venturing around Malaysia and Southeast Asia. I went to Penang, and was particularly amazed by the Kek Lok Si temple, a massive Buddhist temple complex that affords a great view over Georgetown, the main town in Penang. I also went to Melaka, and traveled down the river that runs through the town. I was also able to visit my friend in Hanoi, Vietnam and there I tried what is now my favorite Vietnamese dish: bun cha. 

Speaking of trying new food, interning in Kuala Lumpur exposed me to some delicious Malaysian cuisine. I distinctly remember trying char kway teow at Little Penang Cafe at Kuala Lumpur City Center with my friend and loving the spicy, crunchy, savory taste of the dish. I also tried banana leaf, a dish where an assortment of rice, vegetables, curry and meats are laid on a banana leaf. I also had many different types of drinks including teh tarik, a sweet tea drink, bandung, a milky rose syrup drink, and some of the best matcha lattes I have ever had!

Although this experience placed me severely out of my comfort zone, as I had to navigate a new culture and country whilst working, I also loved my internship experience. I grew professionally and became great friends with my co-interns. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to complete an IIP and want to highlight how Princeton offers professional and cultural options for all students – no matter your previous experience. I cannot wait to visit Kuala Lumpur again. 

Six weeks after the start of each semester is the break week without classes. Most semesters, I've used the break week to catch up on my coursework and get ahead on upcoming assignments, as well as take some time to decompress and be with my family. For my senior spring break, though, there was less coursework than usual. I'm only taking three courses this semester, since my thesis counts as my fourth course, which is a wonderful perk that gave me more time over break for both research and traveling.

I used the first few days of break to work on my thesis, which is due in about one month (April 15th) for my department. I had a meeting over Zoom with my advisor, and I made progress on the figures and manuscript. I feel mostly comfortable with the state of the project and meeting the deadline, and the break from classes gave me the opportunity to focus on it. Some students stayed on campus over spring break and attended thesis boot camp workshops, where they hunkered down with provided snacks to make headway. Deadlines are approaching, and most seniors used at least part of their break to make significant thesis progress.

After several days of thesis work, I still had remaining time in my break, which allowed me to travel to Boston! Graduate school programs typically host a visit day for accepted students sometime in March or April, and I was lucky that my future school's visit day was during spring break this year. On Thursday I flew to Boston to visit MIT, where I had the chance to explore the campus, hear from current students, and meet the lab group of my future advisor. MIT was my top choice program when I applied, therefore I'd already accepted when I visited, which allowed the lab group to organize a dinner to welcome me. It was a lovely experience, and it made me incredibly excited to begin my doctoral program in the fall. Many students use visit days to evaluate their options, though, and choose to fly to several different schools during the spring semester. Having fewer classes to attend with the lighter course load of senior spring helps students manage this travel during the semester.

When I came home from Boston, I still had a few nights at home to spend time with my family. I was able to speak about the visit and my impressions, and I could fit in a last few loads of laundry before heading back to campus. I'm really grateful for this slightly different break week of senior spring, and stay tuned for the official printing of my thesis next month!

Over winter break, I had the opportunity to travel with the Princeton Debate Panel (PDP), Princeton’s only competitive debating group, to Ho Chi Minh City to compete in the 2024 Worlds University Debating Championship (WUDC). Held annually, WUDC is the largest debate competition in the world, with around 300 teams competing from universities from all regions of the world including Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Having only ever traveled an hour maximum for my high school competitions, flying all the way to Vietnam was a big step up.

When I landed, I was driven on a bus by the tournament organizers to a hotel at the heart of the city. The first thing I did was treat myself to a delicious dinner with the team that included fresh prawn spring rolls accompanied by a savory peanut sauce, a refreshing coconut and herbal jelly drink, snails, pho, and other classic Vietnamese dishes. Whilst the dishes tasted great, they tasted even better because Princeton was able to fully subsidize all of our meals on our trip! 

After exploring the city for a few days, it was time to start the first of four days of the tournament. The format of the tournament was British Parliamentary, where there are four groups of two debaters per room, who all give 7 minute speeches on a topic they receive 15 minutes before the start of the round. Whilst PDP sent 7 teams to debate for this tournament, we also sent 4 judges – including me. The judge’s role is to listen to every speech and come to a decision with two other judges in the room on the ranking of the teams, and the speaking score that every debater gets. 

During the first few rounds, I was just a trainee judge, meaning I was not able to enter any rankings onto the online tabulation system. But, during my third round, I was promoted to a panelist, which meant that I could input rankings and have a bigger say in the final decision. During my last day, I was finally promoted to the chair, or the person that has to give an oral adjudication (defend their rankings to the competing teams), and the person that leads the discussion with their panelists/trainees. I was happy that I got to chair a round at my first ever worlds competition, and really enjoyed the opportunity to judge with famous debaters such as the previous winner of WUDC.

Overall, Princeton did very well, with two of our teams breaking into octofinals (getting into the top 32 teams of the entire tournament), and one of our debaters getting 5th best speaker in the world. PDP will be heading to Panama City next year for the 2025 WUDC, and I can’t wait to see how we will perform there.

After a week, the tournament ended, and some of the team decided to extend our stay in Vietnam by booking an Airbnb. During these last few days, we did some incredible things such as cafe hopping (Vietnamese egg coffee is a must!), going to Hai Di Lao hot pot, and going on a one day tour to the Mekong Delta River. During this tour, we got to enjoy some local fruit, honey, lunch, biked around one of the islands, went on a boat ride down the river, and got to talk to an awesome tour guide. 

Whilst I was a bit stressed before the competition about how I would perform as a judge, I was happy with how everything turned out. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to travel with PDP, and would love to emphasize the importance of taking advantage of every resource that Princeton has to offer – both within and outside the classroom!

Prior to Princeton, I absolutely hated any sort of physical activity. I had never played sports as a kid – I stuck to poetry instead – and consistently failed my mile time. But, it is through Princeton, that I learned to love physical activity and appreciate its many benefits to the body and mind.

My first time in Dillon Gymnasium, I was overwhelmed by the chaos of the pre-dinner, post-class rush hour. I didn’t know how to lift weights or use the machines, and instead stuck to jogging on the treadmill for the first couple of weeks. Eventually, through the help of YouTube and friends, I learned how to move beyond the comfort of cardio and successfully challenge my body.

Going to the gym became more than just a way to remain physically active and became a personal study break. After every session, I felt accomplished and proud of the immense capability of my body. Not every session led to PRs, but it led to a feeling of acceptance and excitement. I learned what physical activity I did like (turns out, I would fall in love with easy running) and others that I stayed away from (cycling!). I even began to try out the various group fitness classes that Princeton offers, ranging from power yoga to body combat. This past semester, the gym was renovated making it an even more accessible place. Through these new experiences, I made new friends and surprised myself – truly, in taking care of my body, she took care of me.

Now, the gym has become a place where I can take an hour a day to focus on myself. To appreciate the body that allows me to attend my classes, hang out with my friends, and nourish myself. Sometimes I go to the gym with others, other times I go alone, and sometimes I do not go at all  – but I am grateful for how it has become another of the many spaces on campus that I now feel safe and excited to be in.  

Heads! 

Check it! 

Weigh enough! 

These were all words I was vastly unfamiliar with before joining Princeton’s Varsity Rowing team. To a rower, these terms give vital directions to keep everyone safe. For example, “heads” is pretty self explanatory - you’re about to get hit by a boat, watch your head.

Honestly, I knew very little about rowing before I joined the varsity women's rowing team. It was one of those spur of the moment decisions. To give a bit of background, my first year at Princeton was characterized as what many people call the typical “BSE grind”. I took difficult  STEM courses and found myself heavily involved in my classes and less involved in the Princeton community. I wanted to change that at the start of my sophomore year, and so I took a leap of faith to join a sports team.

You might ask, why rowing? To be honest, I received an email inviting walk-ons to the team and thought , “why not, for the plot right?”. Prior to college I had never rowed before. But, the amazing thing about Princeton is that opportunity is all around. The coach welcomed me and a small group of girls with enthusiasm and began to teach us how to row. 

Joining a team has been an interesting experience to say the least. I remember the butterflies in my stomach while walking to practice the first few days. “What have I gotten myself into?”. I was soon swooned by the beauty of the boathouse: old, wooden, and cabin-like. Our boathouse sits right on Carnegie lake, a beautiful, quiet body of water with a toe-path and wooded forests running along it. From the outside, loud EDM music escapes the windows and a bolster of accented comradery fills the rooms from the inside. Walk inside and I’m sure you’ll hear British, Australian, and German accents all around; it’s quite an international crowd, and that was exciting! The boathouse has a lot of team spirit, and I was more than excited to immerse myself into it. 

Fitting rowing into my schedule has been a challenge - I won’t lie. It’s about 14 hours of practice a week, roughly 2-3 hours per day. I’ve learned that rowing is not a joke of a sport - it challenges every part of your body. Unfortunately, I recently realized that it might be too much endurance for my body (I was a 100m sprinter in high school, so I should’ve seen this coming).

Because of this, I will be walking off the team this Spring. However, I don’t think that should discredit the beauty of trying something new. College is known as a time to push yourself and get outside of your comfort zone. Although I can admit it was hard and joining the team was not always easy, I learned that some things are worth it, even if they don’t seem worth it in the moment. While I struggled to keep my academics and athletics balanced, I know that I will look back on my college years and be proud that I took a once in a lifetime opportunity to row at Princeton. And further, feel confident in my ability to know when a particular experience isn’t right for me.

With that, I’m grateful for my time with the rowing team and I’m excited to turn the page - looking forward to what Princeton has in store for me next. 

Of course Princeton is one of the best places to be, but sometimes you just need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Orange Bubble. My favorite thing to do in this situation is take a trip to New York City. 

Princeton is located roughly halfway between two major cities – Philadelphia and New York. Each city is about a 60-90 minutes away via New Jersey Transit (NJT), helped in part by the ever famous (at least at Princeton) Dinky! The journey to NYC is really easy: go to Wawa and board the Dinky, arrive at Princeton Junction 5 minutes later, cross under the train tracks via a not-so-spooky tunnel, wait a few minutes for the train, hop on and sit for ~1 hr until you arrive in NYC, deboard and head up to the street! Pro tip: the NJT app is very helpful in planning your trip, buying digital tickets, and seeing train schedules. 

Once you are on the streets of NYC, it can be very overwhelming. The smell, the noise, the buildings, and above all, the abundance of people. But this is what I like, especially since my hometown Venice, FL, is not a major city. The experience of your first time in NYC-- and even each time after that--is something special. With a city so large, every visit is unique. 

Of the times that I have been, my favorite memories have been made with my close friends. I’ve been fortunate enough to have met two NYC locals at Princeton who have served as compulsory tour guides on several occasions. This fortune has also led to eating some great food in the city, but to be honest it is hard to go wrong. Walking around Central Park is super fun, especially when the weather is just right. A wintertime must is visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, but be warned, you will see dense crowds of people. The list goes on and on, with the city boasting endless opportunities. 

Now, perhaps the most challenging part of the journey is getting back to the best old place of all! Once you make it back to Penn Station (where you got off the train), you will be met with a growing crowd of people waiting for the boarding announcement of the southbound train to Trenton, NJ. As soon as the boarding platform is announced, a shoving match ensues between the crowd who are all trying to make their way down. I recommend waiting around the middle of the hall that contains the platform numbers so that you are in the best position to make a move. Once you are on the train, repeat the steps from earlier, but in reverse order. And voilà, you made it back! 

Overall, taking a day trip to NYC is a great way to escape the pressures of school. I’ve enjoyed all the times that I have been and it's always a nice treat to explore the city. I fully recommend doing the same when you have a slight reprieve from school work! 
 

In the past two years I have been at Princeton, I have worked at 4 different jobs. Most of these jobs were posted on JobX — our website for student employment opportunities — and ranged from working at Firestone library to writing for this very student blog. Each opportunity has given me the privilege of acquiring very diverse experiences and I am always amazed at how many incredible people I’ve met along the way. Here are a few of the jobs I’ve worked at since coming to Princeton:

Marquand Library: I’ve worked at Marquand since I was a Freshman. Nestled in Floor C of Firestone, a typical day at Marquand looks like sitting at our front desk, welcoming patrons, and occasionally doing a scan of different manuscripts and books that students, faculty, and staff request. Working here has always felt special to me — not only because it was my first job at Princeton, but because it is the perfect job to get my day started or to end a long day. I can always know what to expect and I enjoy working with the staff, who are all so knowledgeable yet welcoming. Coming in for a shift here never feels exhausting. If anything, this library serves as a home away from home. 

ELA Conversation Partner: I’ve worked for McGraw as an ELA conversation partner for the past year and I’ve been able to meet incredible people through this program. Each week, I meet with two graduate students for an hour and we work on their conversational English speaking skills; sometimes we will grab coffee and other times we will go grocery shopping. There really is no set agenda — I coordinate and plan our activities and each week will vary dramatically. This job has given me the honor of getting to connect and build relationships with the graduate students here at Princeton; learning how radically different yet similar our lives are from one another has truly been a fun experience.

Communications Intern: As a communications intern for the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council, I’ve been able to do some amazing work with some truly accomplished people. The council consists of 5-6 other individuals who each play an important role in their respective ways. My job is to liaison and interview Princeton alumni, students, faculty, and staff so that I can write a story on the entrepreneurial work they’ve done and the impact they hope to achieve. This has truly broadened my perspective on what entrepreneurship entails and the expansive resources Princeton has to offer. At this job, I get to enjoy learning new things and meeting new people.

Admissions Blogger: The blog you are reading right now is a product of my work as an admissions blogger here at Princeton! When I was applying, this job appealed to me because it provided me a creative outlet to express myself. Moreover, this role enables me to share my Princeton experience while also giving back to our community in a small way. As a blogger, I usually attend monthly meetings and brainstorm on potential topics I’d like to talk about. Then, I write the stories you get to read! This job has really deepened my understanding of student life here at Princeton, not just by reading the other student blogs but also by reflecting on my own experience.