Princeton in Washington: Creating Community and Exploring Careers in Public Service in the Nation's Capitol


Every summer, a great number of Princeton students, both undergraduate and graduate, move to the nation’s capital for internship, job and research opportunities. They pursue a wide range of positions, from working for members of congress, getting hands-on policy experience to getting involved with nonprofits.

The Princeton in Washington (PIW) program, which is run by the Center for Career Development, supports students and young alumni in the D.C. area spending their summers living out Princeton's informal motto: "Princeton in the nation's service and the service of humanity." I had the unique opportunity to serve as the student coordinator for PIW this summer.

PIW runs throughout June and July, offering Princetonians in Washington, D.C. unique opportunities to connect with alumni in government and policy, technology, law, nonprofit, journalism and more. As a part of PIW, participants are able to meet high-profile alumni at the top of their fields, learn more about various career paths and make meaningful connections not only with alumni, but also other students. Attending alumni panel discussions, visiting some of the most renowned institutions for change and participating in casual social events — all of these things gave us, Princeton students and young alumni in D.C., a chance to build our own community in the city over the summer and create new friendships.

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Round table classroom discussion
“Princeton was a transformative experience for me and to be able to talk to folks who had walked a certain path before I had when I was a student was incredibly helpful. To be able to do that on the other side now, twenty years later, is really exciting.” - James Cadogan '03, Executive Director, National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, NBA & PIW 2023 speaker

Some of the highlights of PIW 2023 include a visit to the Federal Reserve with Chair Jerome Powell '75, conversations with various members of Congress including Terri Sewell '86, Jeff Merkley *82, John Sarbanes '84, and Derek Kilmer '96, a roundtable discussion with General Mark Milley '80 at the Pentagon, and a tour of the ESPN studios with investigative reporter Tisha Thompson '99. Through these events, participants were able to ask questions, hear about the speakers’ career paths and any advice they may have, and connect with them to expand their network. 

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large group of students poses with 'Princeton in Washington' banner
“It's a really special program because you get to meet tons of people, whether it's politicians, lawyers, journalists, ESPN reporters — and you get to meet them in the span of a single summer. What I love about it is that you can do it on top of internships, so you get the benefit of coming to D.C. and working on something you're passionate about, and then in the evenings getting to go to all these events and expand your horizons.” - Kathy Yang '24, PIW participant

As the student coordinator, it was an honor to be able to design these programs and offer a series of events for the summer to help other Princeton students in their career paths. Behind the scenes, I reached out to alumni and coordinated events and logistics, created content to promote programs, and communicated with the PIW community — all of which helped improve my organizational and interpersonal skills. Also, invaluably, I had the privilege to attend every event as PIW coordinator, which deepened my interests in the fields of public and international policy.

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group of students look upward inside the Capital Building rotunda
"My favorite PIW event by far was the night Capitol tour with Representative Derek Kilmer '96. He was super personable, he showed us multiple parts of the Capitol that we wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise. We got to sit on the House floor, watch him cast a test vote, and discuss reforming Congress. It was really amazing.” - Braiden Aaronson '25, PIW participant

My biggest takeaway from PIW is that there is not one set path, one set answer, or a correct major, internship, or fellowship to pursue. Many of the alumni who we looked up to during these events for inspiration, did not have a complete idea of their careers from the beginning. Instead, it was trying new things that allowed them to succeed. We, as college students, often face constant pressure to have everything figured out and have our career path mapped out to minute details to be successful, so it was relieving to hear this kind of advice from Princeton alumni, and this reassurance is one of the many takeaways from PIW, on top of the relationships built with not just the alumni but also with other Princeton students. 

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Behind the scenes on television news set
“We have a multitude of speakers who come from different industries and backgrounds who are willing to devote an hour or two of their time to us, and it's extremely valuable. The informal setting is great. You just don't get this type of engagement anywhere else.” - Ben Crewe '24, PIW participant

Three Important Lessons I Learned Freshman Year (That Have Nothing to Do With Academics)


It’s hard to believe that I will officially be a “sophomore” in a few weeks. It feels like yesterday that I moved into Forbes College, and sat through day long orientation programming. Now that I’m somewhat settled into my new home – that is, the Second Floor of the Forbes Annex – I want to share with you the three most important lessons I learned freshman year. Who knows? Maybe they can help you become your authentic self at Princeton.

1. Don't forget to laugh!

While it’s very easy to make me laugh, I sometimes feel so stressed from school that I forget to. So rather than seek out instances that make me laugh, I let them come to me.

For instance, I went to Princetoween (our post Fall break Halloween celebration) with one of my friends. While at Colonial Eating Club, I ran into a Forbesian dressed like a teenage Michael Jackson. I asked him where his five brothers were. At first, he was confused. But once he understood what I was talking about, he agreed he looked like Michael Jackson with his afro and tall, slender appearance. Back at Forbes, I cried laughing while telling the story to my Zee Group. As the saying goes, “laughter is the best medicine.” Yes, even in an environment where students seem to be working nonstop.

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Avery is standing in front of the Princeton Builds Pathways construction post, wearing yellow and green shirts and a navy blue Princeton University cap.
Me dressed as Quincy from "Little Einsteins."

2. Your special interests are valued.

I have several special interests including Sesame Street (among other children's cartoons), writing, and most recently my new major: Cultural Anthropology. I could go on for days! But from elementary to middle school, it wasn’t unusual for my interests to be dismissed as, well, unusual.

Now, I am incredibly grateful to have friends who share my special interests, if not have their own. Some powerlift. Others love Procreate. Some fight to divest Princeton. Others passionately believe Oppenheimer is better than Barbie. I firmly believe that by sharing my interests with my friends (and vice versa), I have learned so much more about their life experiences. 

3. The people here keep you going.

Coming into Princeton, I envisioned it would be a cutthroat environment where nobody wanted to help each other. This assumption couldn’t have been more wrong. My friends keep me going even on my toughest days. Examples include texting me to ask about my day and offering to read my papers. Mind you, these relationships are not one sided. I do the same for them because I care about them. 

These friendships have also made it easier for us to be vulnerable about our life experiences. Our conversations occasionally include crying and hugging. But no matter what we discuss, we always reaffirm to each other that we belong here. Princeton is a major life change academically, emotionally, and socially. So please make it a point to make friends who always push you to be your authentic self.


Self-Discovery and Queer Life at Princeton: A Personal Reflection


My name is Mirabella Smith, and I am a member of Princeton’s Class of 2024. I came to Princeton knowing that I was queer, but not yet knowing exactly what that meant to me. I thought that I did–identity, though, I came to learn, is not something which is static. Identity is a process of discovery and of becoming.

I entered this institution in Fall of 2020. Necessary regulations to control the spread of COVID-19 meant that all students attended classes over Zoom during the fall semester, and had the option to come to campus (still taking classes virtually) during the spring. For financial reasons, I chose to stay home the whole year. As you would probably expect, the experience was isolating. Transitioning to the rigor of a place like Princeton more or less alone (at least in my physical space) took a toll on me that I won’t soon forget. Still, I’ll always remember that fall semester fondly as the time I found my people, and along with them, my passion.

Perhaps the best decision I have made thus far in life was to take a freshman seminar entitled “The Bad Old Days? LGBTQ+ Literature Before Stonewall.” It was there that I met people who I now consider to be my family. Before the first day of classes, we decided to make a group chat, and within an hour, it was buzzing with activity. I think that we all felt nervous about coming to Princeton; nervous about being so alone, so isolated, as we launched ourselves into not just the unfamiliar world of college, but the unfamiliar world of being queer in college. Many of us were queer, after all, and took the class because we were interested in learning more about the history of our community. We connected fast. Those people and the group chat we shared were an anchor for me in my transition to Princeton’s world, made all the more complicated by the fact that I wasn’t actually at Princeton. 

That wasn’t the only class where I was exposed to new facets of my identity. Another class, “Crafting Freedom: Women and Liberation” quickly introduced me to Audre Lorde’s collection of essays Sister Outsider–it was one of my first college readings and remains my favorite book to this day. Audre Lorde was my first foray into the world of Black Feminist thought. I honestly don’t think that I knew what feminism (actually) is until I came to Princeton. It is inherently intersectional, centered around community, communication, and bridging the gaps that exist between us. It’s about acknowledging those gaps, and listening to each other in such a way that we connect not in spite of them, but through them. We are more powerful when we speak than when we are silent, and, as Lorde wrote, “There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt” (Lorde, Poetry is Not a Luxury).

In that class, we read Angela Davis, Cherie Moraga, and Gloria Anzaldúa. We read the works of abolitionists, transwomen and coalition builders, and I fell in love with the world of queer theory. In retrospect, it’s easy to say that with each course I took towards the Gender and Sexuality Studies certificate, I was developing as a student and a human. A major tipping point for me came when I read Judith Butler’s essay “Performative Acts and Gender Constitution,” which helped me come to the realization that I am nonbinary. Butler’s words clicked something together inside my head, and the realization came on quickly. That facet of my identity suddenly just made more sense. 

This is one of the reasons I am a firm believer in the inextricable connection between theory and praxis: they come hand in hand, and theory, when it is made accessible, has incredible power to promote understanding and create change. That is one of the major tenets that I live my life by today. Accessibility is understanding, and understanding can be revolutionary.

Princeton is a space that has its fair share of institutional issues, something which I am quick to speak to. Still, it’s here that I’ve found my queer family. You’ll find that queer people at Princeton find ways to make space for themselves, and it’s in those enclaves where I’ve found my place and have grown as a human being. I don’t know who I would be without those people, who make both this place and myself better every day.


Bridging the Gap Between Academics and Advocacy: A Panel on “Crimmigration”


Princeton Students for Prison Education, Abolition, and Reform (SPEAR) is a student group focused on educating and advocating against the carceral state of the United States. SPEAR consists of a variety of committees, including Students Against Policing, the Re-Entry Committee, and Project Solidarity. Over time, I had become very passionate about the intersections between the criminal justice and immigration systems, and was excited to learn about, and join, SPEAR’s Immigration Committee.

The Immigration Committee works closely with other organizations in central New Jersey fighting for justice for local immigrant communities. In the past, the Committee has welcomed representatives from these organizations to speak about state-wide initiatives. For example, in the Fall of 2022, we hosted various organizers to raise awareness about the New Jersey Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. SPEAR also partners often with Unidad Latina en Acción (ULA), a non-profit organization just off campus on Witherspoon Street. With ULA, Princeton students teach English as a Second Language (ESL) classes every Tuesday and Saturday, welcoming local residents to join, no matter their current English proficiency.

One of the highlights of my sophomore year was getting the opportunity to organize a panel specifically on the criminalization of immigration, or “crimmigration” as it is often called in the literature. This is the idea that, over time, immigrants in the United States have been increasingly criminalized, both in the media, but also in immigration proceedings. In the fall, I took a class called The Politics of Crime and Punishment, where my final paper had focused on this shift in immigration law and the consequences that it has had on migrant communities particularly through the lens of procedural justice. At the time of this panel, I was also taking another course with Dr. Amelia Frank-Vitale on borders. Particularly, the class explored how borders are not only geographic, but can also be reproduced by systems within a country–in this case policing.

Through our panel, we wanted to raise awareness within the student body by inviting Princeton professors to speak on the topic, as many people often don’t know about this intertwinement of criminal and immigration laws. However, we also knew gaps in knowledge can arise from looking at these sorts of issues through a purely academic lens. Therefore, over the course of two months, we set out to bring together a group of diverse perspectives and organizers, both as academics and as activists. In the end, we welcomed three Princeton professors and three representatives from local organizations, although it’s important to note that all of the professors on our panel also considered themselves to be activists. A few days before the event, we designed our flyer to circulate across campus. As I would be moderating this event, I prepared our list of questions, which ranged from asking our panelists to define “crimmigration,” as well as elaborate on what this looks like within their work, and how it affects the ways in which they carry out ethical research and activism.

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Flyer advertising SPEAR's panel discussion on the criminalization of immigration.

Perhaps one of the reasons this panel had such a big impact on me, besides the obvious ability to share something that I care deeply about with fellow classmates, was the fact that it enabled me to see a tangible connection between the things I have learned and studied during my time at Princeton, and the sort of work that can be done, especially with the help of Princeton’s resources. I believe the ability to take the lead on these sorts of initiatives–whether it be organizing panel discussions, proposing a new volunteering experience or club, or receiving funding to engage in social impact activities–is something that is uniquely possible for Princeton students, and something I look forward to replicating in the future.

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Princeton student speaks at podium next to six seated panelists at the front of a classroom.

The Best Coffee and Takeout in Princeton


Having spent five years as a Princeton undergrad (I took a gap year during the pandemic), I consider myself somewhat of an expert on where to grab a quick bite or cup of coffee. Please enjoy my list of favorites!

Coffee Spots

Sakrid Coffee Roasters

Located just across from Rocky College at 20 Nassau Street, Sakrid is a popular place for students to study or meet up for a great coffee. Its nitro cold brew on draft is especially excellent, as are its cinnamon lattes!

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Interior of a coffee shop with light wood floor, high top tables, a bar with stools against the window and floral chandeliers

Rojos Roastery

Rojos is a small-batch, artisan coffee shop located in Palmer Square. It is devoted to maintaining relationships with independent producers, encouraging sustainable, smaller farming practices. Although it has limited seating space, its coffee is fantastic!

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Exterior of Rojo's Coffee, shingled building with a rounded bay window

Coffee Club: New College West (pictured) and Prospect Avenue

The Coffee Club has two locations on campus: one in Campus Club on Prospect Avenue, and a second in New College West. With the goal of providing an inclusive space and excellent drinks, Coffee Club is run by students; baristas are often classmates and friends! 

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Coffee shop counter with loft above it, light wood railing and paper lantern chandelier

Small World

Small World is a very popular coffee shop on Witherspoon Street, and many students would recommend it above all other coffee places in town as quintessentially Princeton (t-shirts and stickers are commonly spotted on campus). With lots of seating, it is a great place to meet friends and professors.

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Exterior of Small World Coffee with a bench, floral planters, red lacquer paint and "Small World Coffee" awning

Starbucks

Less exciting but definitely worth mentioning is the Starbucks located on Nassau Street just opposite FitzRandolph Gate, the official entrance onto Princeton’s upper campus. Always a convenient option for a caffeine boost or a treat!

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Exterior of Nassau Street Starbuck, tudor style building with green "Starbucks Coffee" lettering

 

TAKEOUT IN TOWN

Olives

Takeout food market that features breakfast sandwiches, hot premade specials, salads, all kinds of sandwiches and wraps, bakery items, and snacks.

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Exterior of Olives, white building with black and purple "Olives" awning

Jules

Great thin-crust, organize pizza with various toppings and gluten free options.

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Exterior of Jules Thin Crust, red brick building with white shutters and trim, a Jules Thin Crust sign and red awning

Princeton Soup and Sandwich

Underrated takeout–outstanding soup and sandwiches!!

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Exterior of Princeton Soup & Sandwich, white building with black trim, black "Princeton Soup & Sandwich" awning, and black metal chairs and tables with orange seat cushions

Playa Bowls

Morning booster or afternoon treat–bowls and smoothies of all kinds.

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Exterior of Playa Bowl, red brick building with white window trim and black letters reading "Play Bowls"

Maruichi Japanese Market

Opened March 2023, Japanese market and deli with great sushi takeout, produce, and specialty items.

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Exterior of Maruichi, white and brick building with double doors and sign above the doors

Reunions Alongside Princeton's Oldest Living Alumni


When I first heard about Princeton reunions, I didn’t doubt for a second that I would stay the extra two weeks after finals to experience them myself. The roaring tigers’ returning glory, the flamboyant orange and black costumes, the night dances, the tiger paws and patterns everywhere you look, and the burning spirit, all sounded too good to miss. So I applied to the easiest campus job I could find— dining services. Little did I know that working as a waiter would turn out to be one of my most memorable Princeton experiences. 

Every year, on the second day of reunions, there’s a very special event: the Old Guard Luncheon. It’s a meal that brings together all the Princeton alumni returning for their 65th or more reunion. Some of them were here before the photocopier or Velcro even existed! Others were even here before World War 2. The point is, these guys are old and wise, and a lot has happened since they were flocking around the eating clubs, panicking over midterms, or avoiding FitsRandolph Gates’ middle entry (which you must not walk through as a student or else you will not graduate— confirmed by the frights of many generations of Princetonians). Serving this lunch, and seeing 90-year-olds in fluorescent orange suits and tiger-striped ties, showed me the timelessness of Princeton. 40, 65, or 80 years down the road I’ll be on the other side— sitting where they are, reminiscing on my time here. 

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crowded dining room filled with Old Guard Princeton Alumni

I especially enjoyed my brief but meaningful interaction with Joe Schein. During reunions’s P-Rade— the flamboyant and orange-struck alumni parade— Joe carries the leading baton for being the oldest living Princeton alum. He is 108 years old, and a member of the Great Class of 1937. I am a member of the Class of 2025: basically, a whole century after. Talking to Joe, and seeing him and all the Old Guard alumni come back to Old Nassau decades after their time here to cherish their memories, re-live experiences, and reunite with old friends, made me see what people talk about when they say that Princeton is for a lifetime.

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Joe Schein '37 wearing a Princeton blazer poses with Ian Fridman '25 wearing a Princeton t-shirt

In the 1879 Hall archway on campus, there’s a plaque I really like. Its inscription says, “Princeton is a part of you. You are a part of Princeton.” Working this luncheon made me see Princeton with new eyes, and the plaque took on new meaning— your time at Princeton lives in you until the end of your Old Guard days, and after being here, you join a community of Princetonians whose legacy transcends generations. 

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Plaque that says "Princeton is part of you. You are part of Princeton"
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Princeton shield plaque

Finding Community and Confidence on Bridge Year


When I graduated from high school, I was burnt out and needed a change in my life. The decision to take a gap year was never really a question in my mind––my parents were always strong proponents, and I needed a break from academics.  When I first read about the Novogratz Bridge Year Program, I knew that the opportunity to spend nine months abroad (for free) was too good to pass up.  

However, after I applied and received my acceptance letter to the Indonesia program, I felt less sure about my choice.  My anxiety and self-doubts began to emerge, making me second guess whether the Bridge Year Program would be a mistake or not. I would graduate later than my friends, go many months without my family, and live alone in a totally unfamiliar city.  Would it be a waste of time? Would I learn anything? Would I make friends? These questions and doubts filled my mind as the departure date neared. I still remember how scared and unsure I felt during the nights leading up to the trip, and the queasy feeling in my stomach as we drove to campus for the pre-departure orientation.  

I started Bridge Year with full-on imposter syndrome and anxiety. Like many incoming first-years, I felt inadequate compared to my incredibly accomplished peers and worried about insignificant things that I had no control over. I was insecure, and the other students in my cohort seemed much more mature, intelligent, and well-spoken. In those first few weeks, I kept quiet during group discussions, journaled a lot, and over-thought nearly every word that came out of my mouth.  

The first month of Bridge Year Indonesia was reserved for orientation and short-term travel. We spent this initial month traveling through Sumatra. Everything was still new and exciting, but as this month began to wind down and our move-in day to Jogja grew nearer, I felt incredibly anxious about meeting my long-term homestay family.  I remember confiding in Umi, one of our on-site staff members, the morning before we were introduced to our families. As we sat on the porch of our hotel–sipping tea and listening to the adzan (call to prayer) in the background–I nervously listed off my fears and hesitations about meeting my homestay family.  I was worried about communicating with them with my limited Indonesian, making a good first impression, and whether I could live up to their relationship with the previous student. I was told that my homestay family was especially religious–the father was an Imam–and I worried about what they would think of my Jewish beliefs and identity. Umi reassured me that they were a perfect match for me, and not to worry. This didn’t do much to reassure me at the time, and I spent the rest of the morning pacing and stressing.  

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Group of students pose in front of a fence at a scenic overlook
Here I am (second from left) with the Bridge Year Indonesia group on the island of Flores in Indonesia.
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Oscar pictured outside his homestay with four members of his homestay family
Here I am pictured (second from right) with my homestay family on Eid al-Fitr.

I won't lie, that first week in the homestay was quite an adjustment. My family did not speak any English, so we struggled to communicate, and I was exhausted from feeling the need to constantly ‘perform’ around them. But after just a month or two, I felt infinitely more relaxed. As I continued to grapple with anxiety and imposter syndrome, my homestay family became a true source of comfort and relaxation. We found ways to communicate with my still-limited Indonesian skills, and I began to prioritize spending more time at home with them. 

Reflecting on it now, four years out of Bridge Year, my homestay family was the best part of my experience. They each taught me so much, and I am so grateful for the generosity and unconditional love that they showed me. There are so many moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world: watching movies on the porch with my homestay brothers, karaoke Bon Jovi with Ibu and Ayah (my homestay parents), visiting my homestay sister in the hospital after she gave birth, Ibu’s disapproving looks when I bleached my hair, and learning Arabic at the Mosque with Ayah. They had an incredibly influential impact on me during this transitional moment in my life when I was just beginning to define my values, relationships, and career trajectory.  

While re-reading my journals and reflecting upon Bridge Year, I realized that the community I found in my homestay enabled the growth I experienced that year. While I was feeling anxious, inadequate, and inexperienced compared to my Princeton peers, my homestay showed me acceptance, self-love, and compassion. I never thought that I would call Indonesia home, or consider non-relatives part of my family, but over the course of nine months, that is exactly what ended up happening.  

Today, more than four years after the program, I am endlessly grateful for Bridge Year. The personal growth that I underwent shaped who I am today in countless ways. Bridge Year taught me many skills and lessons, but above all, it helped me develop more self-confidence. I know it sounds cliche, but I gained so much confidence in myself and my abilities. Continuously getting pushed outside of my comfort zone forced me to grow in ways that I still struggle to verbalize. I am of course still in contact with my family today, and I am returning to Yogyakarta this summer as part of the Streicker International Fellows Program to intern at an architecture firm. Although I am still unsure about what my future post-grad will be, I am hoping to move to Indonesia again and start my career there. If I had the chance to speak to the pre-Bridge Year version of myself, or anyone considering the program, I would say: absolutely take the leap; the lessons you will learn about yourself, the world, and your place within it will be invaluable and unforgettable. 

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Oscar poses with host family, locals and Bridge Year friends
Here I am in the center with my host family and Bridge Year comrad Alex (left). This was my goodbye photo!
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Oscar turns to lookback at the camera, posed with three coworkers, his shirt reads "best volunteer 2018-2019"
Here I am on my last day at the NGO. 
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Selfie of a long crowded dinner table at a goodbye dinner
This photo was taken at the goodbye dinner hosted by the NGO I served at.

Easter With the Princeton Christian Fellowship


Princeton Christian Fellowship (PCF) has been central to my Princeton experience. When I was seeking Christian community at the beginning of my time here, PCF welcomed me with open arms. I am so grateful to have found such a warm and loving group of friends and adult mentors. PCF has supported me in so many ways and has helped me grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially. While PCF hosts events every week of the semester, its holiday celebrations are particularly noteworthy.

This Easter was my first Easter away from my family. Easter has always been a special time for me, and I knew spending it without my family would be difficult. However, I was able to spend Easter with my PCF family–I participated in a myriad of Easter festivities organized by PCF. PCF does a great job ensuring that busy students who are away from home still have the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on such an important holiday.

On Maundy Thursday, the PCF student-led Fellowship Team coordinated the annual Prayer in the Garden. Late that night, a group of students gathered in Prospect Garden for a time of song, prayer, and reflection on Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion. A couple of friends and I walked from a study spot to Prospect Garden, and it was so encouraging to join such a large group of peers to prepare together for Good Friday. The rain didn’t stop us, and as I huddled under an umbrella with fellow students, I felt a sense of peace and unity.

On Good Friday, PCF teamed up with Nova Christian Union and Manna Christian Fellowship, two other Christian groups on campus, for an Interfellowship Good Friday Service in McCosh 10. McCosh 10 is one of the largest lecture halls on campus, and it was wonderful to see it nearly completely full of people–not only students but also some adults from the Princeton community. Along with scripture readings that presented the full story of Jesus’ arrest, death, and resurrection, the service featured a worship team composed of members from all three fellowships. They led us in song and prayer, and a guest speaker presented a message to remind us of the depth of God’s love for us.

When Easter Sunday rolled around, a large group of my PCF friends and I took a bus to our church. Every Sunday morning, a bus service picks us up from Princeton’s campus and drives us a few miles down the road to Stone Hill Church of Princeton, a nondenominational church that serves members in and beyond our community. It is a great opportunity to meet and connect with community members who are not college students, and many PCF members get involved in community service at Stone Hill by performing with the worship team or working in the Sunday School. On Easter Sunday, Stone Hill was decorated with calla lilies and packed with people. After the service, we returned on the bus to Princeton, and our group dispersed to attend various Easter brunches, hosted by the PCF staff members. Earlier in the week, I had signed up to eat brunch at my PCF mentor’s house just a short walk off campus. I was joined by eight other Princeton students, and thanks to my mentor and her family, we enjoyed a home-cooked, family-style meal and three hours of warm conversation around the table.

After leaving my mentor’s house, I traveled about a half hour into Pennsylvania for Easter dinner with a family from Stone Hill. PCF and Stone Hill have worked together to connect PCF students with “adoptive families” at Stone Hill so that we have a relationship with a family nearby. My adoptive parents had invited me to join them and their extended family for Easter dinner at their home, and I was so grateful to spend Easter afternoon and evening with them.

Although I still missed my family this Easter, PCF and the connections I have through PCF made being away from home much easier. I am so grateful for how supported I feel by my Christian community in and around campus.

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photo looks over a full church congregation, a choir stands on the alter
The Stone Hill Church congregation listens to a rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus by the Stone Hill Choir at the Easter Sunday service. Congregants were invited to join the choir on stage if they were familiar with the Hallelujah Chorus.

Spring's Return


Like most of the Northeastern region of the United States, a substantial portion of the year (and thus a large chunk of the school year) is filled with cold days and often cloudy skies. Campus, although ever-beautiful, is for quite some time characterized by different shades of blues and grays. Although this matches the Dead Poets Society, dark academia feel of campus perfectly, I’ll admit that at some point all I can think about is when spring will finally arrive.

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Trees in the wintertime with Alexander Hall and Morrison Hall in the background.
Here is a snapshot of Princeton on an average winter evening.

The return of spring signals the return of many of my favorite things on campus: the blossoming of the Magnolia trees all over campus, the sweet smell of flowers growing in Prospect Garden, the time change, the end of the school year, and (perhaps most importantly) the return of Junbi’s lavender honey matcha.

The first day of real warm weather during the spring semester is always one of my favorite days out of the whole year. Princeton students that have been hiding from the colder weather for months suddenly reappear on campus grounds as though awakened from their winter, indoor-studying slumber. People can be scattered all across Cannon Green, outside of Firestone, and in Prospect Garden. 

At the risk of sounding dramatic, especially because student events and people touring Princeton never really stop, life returns to campus.

On the first warm day of this year, my friends and I formed a part of this revival. After leaving a study break with the Princeton University Mentor Program where we planted succulents and painted their pots, we decided to study outside. We found our spot sitting on top of a large stone sculpture near Cannon Green that gets a perfect view of some of the most iconic Princeton buildings–Whig and Clio, East Pyne, the Chapel, and Nassau Hall

Our study session, however, did not last long. Under the bright sun and in the gentle breeze, we ended up laying down and watching everything around us. Rather than reading and coding and working on assignments, we put our efforts into creating the perfect sunny day playlist and enjoying the songs. After a while, we moved to sit at the base of a nearby tree and continued to soak up the sun. To our left, one of the campus photographers carried out a picture-taking session, and crowds of guided tours passed by us every few minutes.

We let ourselves breathe.

As the months go by during the school year, it’s easy to get caught up in the details of our day-to-day lives as students. But when the days get warmer and the grass gets greener, it is the perfect morale boost and fuel towards the end of the year.

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Four Princeton students laughing in front of trees and a blue sky.

Good Days and Bad Days


As a campus blogger I find myself often highlighting my favorite parts about campus. I have enjoyed my experience as a student and an individual within this community, and am always excited to share more about all of the amazing things that have happened during my time here. Surely there are a million things to love about Princeton, but there are things that are difficult, too.

Admittedly, I chose Princeton because I wanted to be surrounded by courses and classmates that would challenge me every day, but there are days where everything is just outright overwhelming. In the past, I have had to read well over 500 cumulative pages in a week; there have been weeks where I have had two papers due in addition to having to prepare a presentation and study for an exam the following week; and there have been countless lectures where I leave feeling clueless about what was discussed. Also, sometimes life is just life, and things happen in my personal life that I have to balance on top of my constant schoolwork.

It can be a lot.

I know this may sound like a somewhat of a grim portrayal of life on campus, but transparency is an important part of getting to know a school. Princeton is hard, but there is always room for a bad day to turn into a good one (or, at least a slightly less bad one?).

Maybe one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during my time here has been finding peace in the simplest of moments and gestures. Last week was especially hard for me, but there were many things that occurred alongside the difficult bits that helped make my workload feel more bearable. 

After a long day of classes and extracurriculars, seeing my lit-up dorm window is always a welcoming sign that my roommate is home, as I always look forward to unwinding and catching up with her. The comforting reality is that we are all struggling together, and sometimes getting things off my chest is all it takes to make them feel more manageable.

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Two women sit on a radiator in front on windows with blinds down, one smiles while the other laughs

I try to be very intentional about taking breaks, sometimes on my own, or sometimes with some of my friends. My favorite place to go when I want a small snack is The Bread Boutique on Witherspoon Street to pick up a delicious pistachio croissant. When I want a drink to power me through the rest of a paper-writing session, I love using my DiningPoints to buy something from Junbi, also on Witherspoon. Of course, calling home when things feel too overwhelming always helps me feel more grounded, too.

On campus, there are also a plethora of supportive resources specifically set in place to help students navigate the difficulty of campus life. There are more academic resources like the Writing Center and the McGraw Center, which can help manage the stress associated with academic tasks and routines. But there are other resources, too. Residential College Advisors (RCAs) and Peer Academic Advisors (PAAs) are some of the first two points of contact that any incoming Princeton student is introduced to. A resource that I, along with some of my friends, have found useful has been Princeton’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). Located in McCosh Health Center, students can consult with campus psychologists. These can be scattered visits, or CPS can connect you with a more long-term alternative off campus. As a student on the school’s health insurance plan, this has been extremely helpful in making mental health care accessible to me.

Finally, there is community everywhere, whether that looks like reaching out to close friends, sitting in a crowded library while everyone struggles to write essays and code together, or looking forward to your favorite extracurricular meeting at the end of the week. No matter how hard things may feel sometimes, I know that I will get through it eventually and that an ice cold matcha will be waiting for me on the other end of it, as well as a wonderful community happy to support each other through it all.