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In April of last year, a few weeks before I submitted my official commitment to Princeton, I found myself wandering one of the many expositions featured in Princeton Preview (the University's official admitted prospective student event). Proudly adorning my status as a Prospective Student and eager to introduce myself to anyone and everyone who could speak to the beauty of my soon-to-be Princeton experience, I arrived giddily at the French and Italian department's academic expo table. After an unsuccessful attempt to show off my shabby oral French skills, I was quickly handed a pamphlet for a summer study-abroad program that was "sure to help" me become a better French speaker. "PRINCETON IN AIX, FRE207F," the pamphlet read. A month-long immersive French-learning program in the Provencal city of Aix-en-Provence. I'm pretty sure I shivered as I read the flyer: the idea of spending a month in a foreign country just a few short weeks after completing what was sure to be a stressful first year did not seem appealing to me at all. Nevertheless, by some weird twist of fate, a year and a couple months later, I found myself gripping that same brochure as I stepped off my eight-hour-long flight from DC to Paris, gearing myself up to brave a new foreign terrain entirely on my own.

My First Lesson: I was not on my own.

A fear of loneliness was the force that drove most of my anxiety from the time I received my official acceptance into the program up until when my plane touched down in France. At Princeton, I had formed my own bubble of non-French speakers and non-French students, all of whom would be thousands of miles away as I attempted to navigate my new life in the French-speaking world. All of this to say, I was absolutely terrified of being on my own in France. However, this fear was quickly whisked away amidst the chaos of the Charles de Gaulle airport, where I awaited my connecting flight to Marseille. After a sweaty three hours in Customs, with tired shoulders from the heavy backpack and overpacked purse that I had unwisely lugged through the airport, I all-but collapsed into the seat at my terminal gate. But before I could fall too far into my airport despair, I heard a kind voice ask, "Do you go to Princeton?" I don't think I'd ever seen the girl who asked this question. She had recognized me due to the Princeton sweatshirt I had untidily wrapped around my shoulders --- a sweatshirt I'll forever be grateful for because, thanks to it, this girl and I rapidly became friends. Launching into laments about the horrors we'd witnessed in this airport and bonding over anxieties over being newly minted traveling Americans who'd soon have to rely on communicating in a language we were still learning, our conversation was the most relieving breath of fresh air. It was so validating to meet someone who was just as terrified for the upcoming month as me. And she quickly helped me learn my second lesson of the trip.

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My Second Lesson: It’s okay to be scared.

Along with a fear of loneliness, living abroad for a month came with a plethora of other anxieties. What will I eat? Will my host family be friendly? Will I be safe? Will I get good grades? Will I be able to talk to my family back home? Will my French be any better by the time I was leaving than when I arrived? Will I have fun? 

Although for weeks before my trip, I chastised myself for being so anxious about an experience that — on the exterior — was sure to be once in a lifetime and magical (as I was told repeatedly by many family and friends), I recognize now that my anxieties only made me human. I was jumping headfirst into a place I had never been before, with millions of questions to which I didn't have the answers. I was scared, and it was completely normal. Now, writing this blog post, I smile to myself with the recognition that I can delightedly answer the questions that had plagued my mind before this trip. And that the beauty of these answers and the memories that come with them far exceed any anxiety that I felt in the past. 

1. What will I eat?

Anything and everything: strawberry gelato from any shop that offers it, samples of bread from the artisanal markets that fill the city, three-euro hot pizza from Caprese pizza stalls, pasta from any restaurant that offers it, ratatouille on the nights when my host mother is feeling extra generous, apricot jam with toast in the mornings, bubble tea at any point on any day, and, of course, more gelato.

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  2. Will my host family be friendly?

The friendliest. I was placed with an incredibly kind woman who was eager to teach me about the Provençal French culture and lifestyle. Over dinner, we'd spend hours discussing politics, food, travel, literature, and our respective lives in our respective countries. As an example of her genuine kindness, the last day of the program just happened to be my birthday, and she wished for me to have French patisserie on my special day. Unfortunately, my nut and egg allergies were a roadblock for this wish. But she found a way. I enjoyed nut-free and egg-free raspberry tarts (which she had hunted down) on my birthday and last day in Aix. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to me. The next day, leaving for my flight, I teared up a bit saying goodbye to her.

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    3. Will I be safe?

Very. I spent most of my days surrounded by my new friends. Even when we stayed out later than I'd feel comfortable in my hometown, I cherished the ability to just wander a foreign city after dark with friends. Some of my best memories of the trip were getting lost at midnight in search of a late-night snack or good music. (We were lucky enough to be in France during one of their major holidays, Fête de la Musique. It's a day-long music festival that continues deep into the night. For hours after dark, my friends and I wandered the town together, chasing a good song to dance to.)

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   4. Will I get good grades?

Yes, fortunately, but I also learned a lot. The first week of classes in Aix-en-Provence was extremely daunting. I felt buried in readings and had to start decoding the French of my local professors, who happened to don very heavy Marseille accents (the accent worn by most people who live in the South of France). However, I quickly learned that I'd get out what I put into my academic work during the program. I worked hard to speak French as regularly as possible — with the city locals and my classmates. I scoured the French-English dictionary for unfamiliar words from my readings and did my best to utilize them in my speech and writing. I hunkered down for hours in humid cafés to scrawl out the best possible essays I could and read meticulously over my professors' feedback. I paced my room, reciting my oral presentations aloud, correcting every little phonetic mistake I could catch. Trust me, I know it sounds grueling, but it was more fulfilling than anything. On my final days of the program, when I could speak with my Uber drivers and restaurant servers in fluid French, with little insecurity over bad accents or mispronunciations, I felt immensely proud of how far my French had come. In the end, it wasn't the grades that mattered, but the development of my language skills — skills which I believe will take me far in life, even long after this program.

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   5. Will I have fun?

The most fun. Every week was filled with new adventures. And the weekends came with even more. After daily class time, the city of Aix-en-Provence was our oyster. We could eat at the restaurants we wanted, shop at the markets in the square, go to cute movie theaters, listen to live music on the streets, and more. On other days when we did not have class, we were whisked off to some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the South of France. 

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A day trip to the Lourmarin, the town where renowned writer Albert Camus did most of his writing. 

Beach days in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, St. Tropez, Lac de St. Croix, and Cassis. 

Promenading around the gorgeous lavender fields of Valensole. 

A visit to a boulangerie to make baguettes, croissants, and pain-au-chocolat ourselves!

A trip to a vineyard to see how wine is made (and taste it, too!). 

Wandering age-old cities like Avignon, Apt, Arles, Moustiers St. Marie, etc., for hours at a time. 

Hiking through the "Petit Colorado," or what some call the Grand Canyon of France. 

Visiting gorgeous cities on mountaintops and getting to see Provence belly-up.

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But despite the gorgeous sights I was exposed to every week and weekend, I think most of the fun came from witnessing these sights with good and kind friends — giddily taking photos of one another in front of the gorgeous blue of the Mediterranean, hunting down coffee-shops in the middle of quiet towns, laughing our way out of sleep-deprivation on the early-morning buses which carried us to our weekend excursions. Even without the beauty of the south of France, I truly believe I would've left this trip satisfied solely by the friends I made. Which brings me to my final lesson of the trip.

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My Third Lesson: Put Yourself Out There.

At Princeton, I tend to stick to the bubble I know: studying in the same places, hanging out with the same people, loyal to the same routine. All of that went out of the window during my month in Aix-en-Provence. I was forced to break out of my bubble: go to lunch with a peer who was ultimately a stranger, work on a project with someone I'd seen once or twice around campus, let myself make new friends. In addition to fulfilling a lifelong wish to live abroad and improve my French language skills, I think I'm most proud of the conversations I struck up with the strangers learning amongst me in the program — strangers who I'm sure are now lifelong friends. It's hard to imagine building such strong bonds within the short span of four weeks. Who knows, maybe it was the Provençal air. Regardless, the greatest magic of the trip came from how close we all were as a group: one of my fondest memories of the program is the mass-exchange of hugs and "Bon Voyages" that filled our last day in Aix. It was clear that we'd all miss each other.

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With all that said, if there's anyone on the fence about whether they should take advantage of the many study-abroad opportunities at Princeton, I say, take the leap. You never know the obstacles you'll brave, what things you'll learn, or what people you'll meet. Now, from the comfort of my home, filled with beautiful, irreplaceable memories, I can confidently say that my sojourn in the south of France was a once in a lifetime experience. One that I'll cherish forever. 

So, be brave, embrace the unknown, and put yourself out there. Wherever you go, you won't be alone.

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Work hard, play hard. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard, but is Princeton a place where “work hard, play hard” is alive and well, or perhaps, where does Princeton lie on that spectrum? Work hard, play hard. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard, but is Princeton a place where “work hard, play hard” is alive and well, or perhaps, where does Princeton lie on that spectrum? 

For starters, you often see students lock in during the week and let loose—in many forms—during the weekend. Of course, it depends on the crowd that you gravitate towards. You will meet many students who only “work hard” and only occasionally meet the opposite side of the spectrum. Princeton definitely skews closer towards the work end—not necessarily surprising for the Ivy League. 

The emphasis on work is quite apparent here. Princeton students are passionate about their studies, projects and research. That said during the school year, I’ll admit it’s often hard to feel a separation from school and life. Work often dominates my mind; it’s a priority, and so during the school year most students work, and work hard, sometimes without a second thought about a healthier life balance. Queue, the “Princetonian work ethic.”

But when Princetonians aren't plugged in for the semester, where do our priorities fall? It’s the summer of 2024 and my time off this summer has led me to wonder if this intense “work hard play hard” mentally is a healthy balance. During summer especially, I notice that I struggle when this finely tuned balance between work and play is thrown off. I struggle to enjoy time off without some sense of academic productivity. This leads me to question if Princeton wires us to chase high intensity experiences? Are all Princetonians wired this way? Is it just me?

While I haven’t found the answers to these questions yet, I find them fascinating to explore. During this summer at Princeton, I decided to survey my friends to find some answers. On the work side of the spectrum, I have two friends that come to mind who work hard, and pretty intensely. These friends sleep 4-5 hours a night and are consumed, passionately or stressfully— I’m not sure—with work, projects, and competitions. On the other side of the spectrum, I have several friends who enjoy time off without a second thought. One friend told me “tomorrow is not guaranteed,” so why consume your summer with work? 

With all these different perspectives, the real question is where do I want to lie on that spectrum? I recently realized that it’s very easy for your mindset to conform to the environment that you’re in. That may explain why so many Princetonians feel a need to work all the time: this environment is conducive to it. While I’m still trying to find my own balance between work and play, I admit that part of me is still drawn to that intense balance—partly because I feel it allows me to live life to the fullest. And that’s a theme I see at Princeton. Whether students work hard or play hard, Princetonians have a certain discipline and passion in everything they do. Life is lived to the fullest. 

And while this mentality may serve my college years, I admit that this certain binary scale may not serve me forever. Is my work ethic—my Princetonian Work Ethic—a lifelong thing? I’m not sure. Maybe the wiser of us knows the answer, but all I know is that I’m going to live life to the fullest. Whether that's work, play, or something else, the only thing I can do is keep trying to figure it out. 

This Summer, I found myself interning at Atento Capital, an early-stage investment firm focused on unlocking unsung potential in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While I was initially apprehensive about relocating to the midwest for the Summer, I have found myself growing quite fond of the people, the places, and the memories I have made here.

Over the past 10 weeks, I experienced my first rodeo, stepped back into medieval times, and even touched bison! While each activity has uniquely shaped my perception of what the Midwest has to offer, it is truly is the people who make this place special. While we are a group of 19, it has been surprisingly easy to connect with my fellow “Atenterns.” We are co-workers during the day but we seamlessly blend into close friends by night. With everyone coming from such different backgrounds, it truly is such a privilege to be in Tulsa and learn more about the impact venture capital can make on the local community.

Indeed, since coming here I’ve learned many things about venture capital, including how to do due diligence and analyze product-market fit. As part of a startup company, I have learned how to be resourceful and flexible, taking each day as a learning opportunity. Contrary to what some might expect, the most important skills I’ve learned here have not been how to pitch companies or network, but how to embrace being a giver and through so, build community. 

For every drive to work, coffee chat, and weekday/weekend spent together, I’ve learned to appreciate the importance of community in both my immediate and broader circles of friendship. Community is big in Tulsa — it is what drives the transformation of the city’s tomorrow. This transformation, to me, is what makes the city pulse with hope. This hope is what makes my work, and the work of every person who lives here, feel like it has a purpose and an impact beyond ourselves. 

At the start of the summer, I asked myself how I could take everything I’ve learned at Princeton to improve the work I would do in Tulsa. Now, I find myself asking how I can take the lessons of being “Atento” (helpful) to shape the trajectory of my last two years at Princeton. While I do not know what these last two years will look like, my personal and professional experiences have taught me to take that leap of faith — whether it be in a new industry or a new city and to never cease to venture. 

Many Princetonians find themselves on the east or west coast, whether through an internship during school or a job after graduation. As part of a larger trend, the middle of the country is often overlooked, flown over, and forgotten. This sentiment has been valid in my mind up until now. Thanks to one of Princeton’s Center for Career Development’s job/internship fairs, I found an opportunity hidden in an overlooked place: Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

When I first walked up to Atento’s booth, I had no clue who or what their company was. It turns out, they are a venture capital firm out of Tulsa, OK, looking to do good by unlocking unsung potential in marginalized founders. Their mission is to provide capital to groups who are often overlooked. There is no better place to do so than Tulsa. 

When I first heard that I got the internship, I was excited, but then I realized that I’d be in Tulsa for the summer—essentially the middle of nowhere. Oh, how wrong could I have been? Since coming to Tulsa, I have been pleasantly surprised. Although the city is nowhere close to the likes of NYC, San Francisco, or other coastal metropolitan cities in terms of size, it is still a city with its own unique culture. This culture is what makes Tulsa amazing. 

Tulsa is growing, and growing fast. In the past, Tulsa was the ‘Oil Capital of the World’ and home to what was known as Black Wall Street, both of which are no longer, but it is now trying to become great again. My internship has given me some insider knowledge on this mission, and it seems to be coming into fruition, thanks mostly in part to the philanthropy of George Kaiser. 

George Kaiser, in short, is a philanthropic billionaire who made his money from his family's oil and gas company as well as the Bank of Oklahoma. He acknowledges the life he was born into and has pledged at least half of his wealth to charity upon his death (the giving pledge). He also has a foundation, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which is committed to reversing the generational cycle of poverty in Tulsa through early childhood education (among many other initiatives). He is fully committed to making Tulsa a better place, which is symbolized in how much he has done for Tulsa, including his flagship park, the Gathering Place, and what he plans on for the future. With this backing, Tulsa will be a great city once again, included in conversation with other large cities. 

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You may be wondering what the point of this blog is, well, it is to encourage my fellow Princetonians and others alike to take a chance and explore opportunities in ‘unknown’ places. It is hard to find those hidden gems, if you aren't open to looking for them. Maybe moving to a city you never pictured yourself in could be an amazing opportunity. If venture capital has taught me anything, it's time to invest in a small city! 

Dear Reader,

When one thinks about Princeton, academics, internships, classes, and pre-professional extracurricular activities often come to mind—serious stuff. However, I have been on many side quests, aka. casual things that I enjoy doing just for the sake of them. I hope this first side quest blog will provide a glimpse into something new that I tried for fun, amigurumi, which is a Japanese art form of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures.

I’d never crocheted before Princeton. I always saw it as a tedious, difficult chore to secure each even, endless stitches. Last fall, I joined the Crochet Club with the encouragement of a friend who already knew how to crochet, and secured two free bee crochet kits from the club’s giveaway. It was quite difficult: my fingers cramped, my stitches were loose, and I had a hard time with the “magic loop:” the first few stitches to begin the first row. Fortunately equipped with my patient friend’s help, I began to improve and gradually inched through each row, barely keeping track of the number of stitches (which is not good, since you are supposed to count the stitches in each row). I fell into the comforting pattern of single stitches, and as academic life became more stressful, I gratefully turned to my bee, even just a few stitches a day. After a few weeks, my initially lopsided stitches became more tidy, and I successfully created my first pink bee.

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The week before winter break, the Princeton Student Events Committee (PSEC) hosted a finals event and gave out free Woobles kits, which are self-guided crochet kits with yarn, stitch markers, hooks, needles, and an instruction packet. Eager to practice more, I continued my hobby and created a rainbow narwhal. With more time on my hands, I found many free crochet patterns of cute amigurumi online and embarked on larger projects, like a medium-sized tiger to keep me company on campus! The Crochet Club also has a GroupMe chat for members to share recent creations, yarn recommendations, and more general advice. It was a warm community for us to geek out about one another’s cute projects. Thanks to the club and my peers, I pushed myself to learn something new and am now able to create cute creatures, which make great gifts for my friends and family!

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This summer, I have been giving out yarn and hooks to my new friends and teaching them how to crochet, starting with the “magic circle” and single crochets. The crochet circle is only growing!

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There’s sometimes a sentiment that Princeton is a small town with “not much to do," but I fundamentally disagree with that—let me convince you why. 

First of all, I will admit that, yes, Princeton doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of larger cities. If that’s what you’re drawn to, all the power to you to prioritize that kind of experience. And don’t get me wrong, there is something very enticing about being young and being in the center of all the commotion. Part of me does want that at times. The exhilaration. The grind. The possibilities.  

That being said, I believe many students feel this sentiment and view it as a binary scale. Princeton either fits into that category or it does not. This has resulted in many students putting Princeton into a box, limiting their own experience to the expectations that they’ve preconceived. If you believe Princeton is a small town with nothing to do, then trust me, it will feel that way. But if you don’t let your expectations trump your experience, there are countless hidden gems to discover. 

For example, have you been to the Mendel Music Library, the Architecture Library, or the Stokes Library? I’m always shocked when my friends haven’t poked their heads into every building on campus yet. I’ve learned to be an “explorer”—a title my dad originated and wears very proudly. He’s always trying to sneak into places that he definitely shouldn't be. His attitude has taught me to have an endless curiosity for my surroundings, and further allows me to take full advantage of whatever environment that I’m in. And through my own exploration during the past two years, I’m proud to report that I’ve curated a list of some of my favorite hidden gems on campus. 

1. The Radio Show (WPRM 103.3 FM)

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Did you know that we have a radio station?! I certainly did not. AND WHAT A COOL SPACE! This is my most recently found hidden-corner on campus. It’s located in the basement of Bloomberg and is probably the coziest place I’ve seen on campus. Access is limited—you probably need to know someone who works at the radio show. But ask around and add it to your Princeton Bucket List. It’s worth a visit.

2. Princeton University Press Courtyard

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This is one of my favorite spots to sit and escape the sometimes stressful environment of Princeton. This beautiful courtyard is right next to the Friend center, and in the summer is filled with beautiful flowers. 

3. My Secret Garden

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This was the first hidden gem I discovered on campus. I found it during my orientation week. Slightly/very overgrown, this garden not only feels hidden but also ancient. 

4. 1936 Garden

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Right next to Nassau Hall, and snuggled between Maclean House and Stanhope Hall, this garden is hidden behind brick walls and ivy.

5. Princeton Town Farmers Market

Most student don’t know, the town has a farmers market from May - November right next to the Princeton Public Library. They have fresh produce, pastries, and a great sale on books if that’s up your alley. While this is technically off campus, it shows how much there is to discover in town as well!

Location: Princeton Public Library Square

And while I’m happy to share a few of my discoveries, I will be keeping my absolute favorite corners on campus hidden. But I hope that encourages you to go and find your own. They’re sprinkled all around campus. 

Almost a year ago today, I flew from Dallas (DFW) to London Heathrow (LHR) for my summer study abroad. I was bound for Cambridge University to study for six weeks. I did not know anyone in Cambridge. Abroad and alone, I was ecstatic. 

Prior to learning I had the opportunity to study at Cambridge, I was new to Princeton’s culture—one where students hustle to secure summer plans—and was extremely intimidated. I felt, at times, a stressful expectation to fill my summer with internships or other opportunities. Despite these feelings, I ended up with a summer filled with wild, wet, English adventures. Trust me, it was the right choice. 

July 6th, 2023: DFW -> LHR 

I remember clearly the butterflies I felt traveling internationally by myself. Touching down in London, my curious eyes peeked down from the plane, spotting little red dots commuting to and from. I had no idea what England had in store for me, but it turned out to be everything from iconic red buses to spontaneous trips. Arriving in Cambridge, I immediately was in awe of the old, historic town. Cambridge University is situated within the beautifully bustling town of Cambridge. The university has no central campus and is instead split into 31 different colleges, each of which has its own “campus” or courtyard dispersed throughout town. Walking around town, you’ll occasionally run into one of these colleges. Each is nestled between historic buildings and is visible through the small openings of its old wooden gates. 

For an artist, Cambridge is an extremely inspiring city. I drew constantly during my trip. The image above is one of my favorite sketches I did during my time there. It’s a drawing of the Kings College Chapel, which (fun fact) inspired the architecture of Princeton’s chapel. Several of Princeton’s buildings were inspired by Cambridge, actually, and I would argue that Princeton feels like a smaller, quainter version of Cambridge. 

August 19th, 2023: LHR -> DFW 

By the end of my trip, I had made unforgettable memories at Cambridge. Situating myself in a new town and making new friends, my 6 weeks felt electric. My day-to-day schedule consisted of a few classes and lots of biking around town. The weather was, well let's just say, English. It rained quite often but this rarely dented my excitement. I would recommend all students participate in a summer study abroad. Summer at Princeton can look like whatever you want it to. I learned a lot from this study abroad, and I wouldn’t trade my experience in Cambridge for anything in the world.

Lastly, I wanted to touch on a bit of the nuts and bolts of the program in case anyone is interested. I studied at Pembroke College and I took 3 classes during the 6 weeks: Jane Austen, Sustainability, and an independent study done with a professor. Princeton also has scholarships to provide financial aid for summer activities like these. Academically, Cambridge was certainly different from Princeton. We had far less hours of class time, and the only deliverables for students were two dissertations: each class required two very long essays.

Now that school is starting to wrap up for many high school students, I wanted to share some tips for enjoying your summer which are especially relevant to incoming first years, who we also refer to as pre-frosh.

If I had to summarize my first year at Princeton in one phrase, it would be, time flies! It can be hard to enjoy the stage of life you’re currently in, especially as you anticipate the next step in your life, but remember that you will never be exactly where you are right now again. Whether you are in the summer before Grade 12, the summer before a gap year or the summer before college, try to soak it all in for what it is. I remember feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation about heading to Princeton in the fall and most of all, not knowing what to expect. If you have any questions, I encourage you to reach out to admissions bloggers (I am always an email away!), your summer engagement coordinator, who you will hear from in June, or any friends, alumni from your high school, or students from your hometown who attended Princeton. I know I had many questions about travel, logistics and packing, but I also found it exciting to wait and find out for myself what Princeton was like academically and socially.

Enjoy your time at home without the pressure of school. It may be a long time before most of your friends and potentially all your siblings are in the same place again, so hang out with your friends at your favorite places, take fun pictures to put on your dorm wall, and enjoy some quality time and your favorite home-cooked meals with your family. It’s hard to maintain regular contact with more than a few people once everyone goes separate ways, so I always enjoy spending time with friends from junior high and high school when I go home.

It can be very exciting to begin preparing for college by buying a lot of new things, but speaking from experience, you will accumulate a lot more than you would expect over the course of one year here! I arrived with two suitcases and a backpack, and I now have an additional six bags and eight boxes of varying sizes as well as some loose ends like a fan and drying rack in my possession (in my defense, a lot of it is bedding, textbooks and cooking utensils). It is stressful and time-consuming to pack and store all of your belongings for the summer, and you would be surprised how much you can buy from students and sales once you get here. Do your best to limit how many new things you buy and bring with you—your future self will thank you!

Consider writing a letter to your future self! This is something I wanted but forgot to do the summer before starting college and now it’s a little difficult to remember exactly how I was feeling (see #1). I wrote a letter to myself as part of the orientation activities at my United World College, a two-year international boarding school, and it was interesting to see how my experience differed from my expectations and realize how much I had learned and grown over the course of just one year. You could open the letter after your first year or at graduation by having someone hold onto it for you, putting it in a specific place and putting a reminder in your calendar to open it at a certain time, or having it emailed to you using a website like FutureMe.

Read for pleasure. The summer is a great time to get a lot of reading in, especially if there are books you have been wanting to read for a long time or if you just want to expand your horizons. I love reading, so it was something I missed once I began college and it was much harder to find the time. Thankfully, I read at least one book a month during my first year as a member of the Asian American Student Association’s book club. My favorite out of the books we read was Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. Hannah Lee, one of my Community Action leaders and my PUMP mentor, recommended that I read Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee, and I read it in one day when I came back to Princeton at the end of winter break. I highly recommend reading it after spending some time in Princeton because you will recognize the buildings and some of the traditions mentioned!

On a similar note, do the things you love! Whether that is running, dancing, crocheting, cooking, playing an instrument, or something else entirely, it might be difficult to engage in your hobbies as frequently at college. That said, I have managed to do all of those activities and more through Princeton’s over 400 student groups, my co-op, 2D, and awesome Wintersession offerings.

I hope your school year ends on a good note, and congratulations to graduating high school students! We cannot wait to see you in the fall, and in the meantime, I hope you have a restful summer. I am always available at the email in my blogger bio to answer questions or if you have any blog topic requests.

In the summer, I hear all sorts of things. I hear the faint sounds of a child splashing in the fountain in front of Robertson Hall. I hear the distinct noise of mosquitos swarming throughout the oppressively humid and warm air. I hear animated chatter as friends catch up with one another on the places they’ve been and the things they’ve seen.

Summer at Princeton always feels alive — on a hot day, Palmer square will be thrumming with energy as students grab coffee, children eat their ice cream, and dogs run around. The sounds of joy and the vibrant colors give hope to the students coming back from break; it’s a new semester which means new friends, new memories, new classes, and a new chance. 

In the fall, the energy from the summer seems to slowly dissipate away. It’s still in the background, but it is certainly less energetic. Fall at Princeton feels more mellow yet the weeks are filled with festivities and fun as students come together to carve pumpkins and celebrate the leaves changing color.

As the sun begins to go down earlier and the temperature declines, one is caught between the anticipation of Thanksgiving and yet, the desire for the holidays to come sooner, and when they do come around, a deep lull takes place. 

By the time winter approaches, the trees will be barren. Sometimes, a thin layer of snow will cover the paths leading up to Nassau Hall, other times, there will be heavy bouts of rain. Winter at Princeton feels like a warm hug from your loved ones and yet the pain of nostalgia as you reminisce on warmer months and brighter days. Winter is the juxtaposition of the end of a semester and yet the beginning of a new year. 

When spring rolls around, hearts are full and bellies are content. As the flowers blossom and the pollen swirls around, it feels as if life has sprung back to full force.  Spring is for the creatures who are so desperate to chirp and sing and for the students who have long awaited for the sun’s embrace. Spring at Princeton is a celebration of the semester’s end, the start of a long awaited summer, and the conclusion of a chapter.

As I reminisce on the seasonal changes at Princeton, I embrace the old and the new, the snowflakes and the tulips, and the ever changing nature of life that swirls by as I traverse through the campus day by day. 

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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.