My four years at Princeton are flying by, and there are so many classes I would love to take if I had more time. If I listed them all, it would probably be the length of a senior thesis, so here’s a selection of my top 7:

1. Making an Exoneree (Department: School of Public and International Affairs)

   Making an Exoneree is one of the most unique courses I have ever come across. The course was started by a professor at Georgetown University who helped to exonerate a childhood friend who spent almost 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. An intensive, hands-on course, students have contributed to freeing three wrongfully convicted individuals since its inception at Princeton in 2018. Students describe the course as "life-changing... If you want a real look into the criminal legal system and care deeply about justice, then this course is something you absolutely should take during your time at Princeton."

   

2. International Organizations (Department: Politics)

   Taught by Professor Vreeland, an expert in international political economy, International Organizations has quickly become one of the most popular courses at Princeton, with enrollment exceeding the 400-person cap every semester it is offered. The course examines the origins, effectiveness, and future of institutions from the UN and WHO to the European Union and African Development Bank. I had to see what the buzz was about and sat in on a lecture during shopping period last spring, and I would have given an arm and a leg to take the class. Professor Vreeland was an extremely engaging lecturer, making memorable references to popular songs and movies, and keeping students on their toes by asking for participation using a random name selector. He also cares deeply about students inside and outside of the classroom and regularly publicizes and attends students’ performances. This course review says it all: "Professor Vreeland teaches you how to read, how to think, and how to learn at a fundamental level. He's the quintessential educator: a professor who wants his students to learn for the sake of learning and knows exactly how to motivate them and work with them. You should not leave Princeton without taking this course." What a shame I’ll have to do so!

   

3. Poverty, by America (Departments: Sociology and African American Studies): 

   I still remember reading Evicted on a sunny afternoon during a summer in junior high and the impression it left on me of the challenges of facing housing insecurity. I was impressed to discover that the author, Matthew Desmond, had spent a year living among the eight families featured in order to write the book. When a friend told me that she worked with Professor Desmond in the Eviction Lab at Princeton and was taking a class taught by him, I knew it would be among the top on my wishlist.

4. The Great Russian Novel and Beyond (Department: Slavic Languages and Literatures)

   I love to read (send me an email if you have any book recommendations!). Last fall, I was looking for a literature course to fulfill my remaining literature and the arts distribution requirement and a good friend of mine (who was actually my Community Action orientation leader) recommended this introduction to Russian literature. I enrolled in the course and discovered that it was a hidden gem tucked away among the many interesting literature classes available at Princeton. Professor Chances clearly loves the books, and I was eager to learn about famous and lesser known works of Russian literature in a small class setting. The weekly precept (small group discussion) was led by Professor Chances and only had four students! Unfortunately, I had never read any of the books before so I was having trouble keeping up with the reading. I made the difficult decision to drop the course at the end of the second week, known as add/drop or shopping period. I was able to borrow the books for the semester through the University library, so I hope to finish Fathers and Children and read Anna Karenina once classes end.

5. Beginner’s American Sign Language (Department: Linguistics)

   Princeton began offering for-credit ASL courses in 2018 which could be used to fulfill the foreign language requirement starting in 2021. I would love to learn a language which uses a completely different part of my brain, gain a better understanding of deaf culture, and think about how we can increase accessibility for individuals who are hard of hearing. Former blogger Naomi wrote a wonderful post about learning ASL three years ago which makes me want to at least shop ASL101 in the fall.

6. Princeton University Steel Band (Department: Music)

   Steel Band is another popular course in which students learn how to play the steelpan, an instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago with a beautifully resonant sound. The course is P/D/F only, which means students receive a “pass”, “D”, or “fail” for the course, removing the stress of receiving a good grade (read more in Jocelyne’s blog post about P/D/F classes). Almost every review reads, “Take this course!” and one student commented that they’ll be talking about it for many years after Princeton. Although I won’t be able to fit it into my schedule, I plan on attending the class performance at the end of April which will also feature the student steelpan ensemble TigerChunes, led by one of my friends!

   

   

7. Practical Ethics (Departments: Center for Human Values and Philosophy)

   Last but not least, I wish I could have taken Practical Ethics, which discusses topics ranging from abortion to the ethics of what we eat, and actually made my Outdoor Action co-leader become vegetarian. Taught by Professor Peter Singer, author of a number of fascinating books including Animal Liberation and The Life You Can Save, students praised the application of different ethical theories to real-world issues and Professor Singer as an “excellent lecturer, speaker, and arguer.” Unfortunately, the course is no longer offered following Professor Singer’s retirement in 2023, but I hope he will return to give an occasional lecture!

   Honorable mentions include: 

8. Analog Photography, or any course in the Visual Arts department
9. The Glass Class, a freshman seminar on the science and art of glass which travels to Venice over the break!

Clearly, I could go on. Princeton offers a wide array of unique courses which stretch students in different ways, whether by learning a new language on campus or abroad, engaging with community members and organizations, or simply discussing topics and authors you had never heard of before. As my time at Princeton comes to a close next semester, I am grateful to have had access to scholars, professors, and students who continue to stimulate my intellectual curiosity and teach me something new every day.

Berggasse 19 was once home to Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist who was more famously known as the father of psychoanalysis.

With its inconspicuous white bricks and stained-wood doors, the Freud Museum looks just like every other building in the block. In fact, its facade creates a deceptive illusion that attempts to conceal the symbolism, the history, and the importance of this otherwise significant building. 

This significant building was my home during the Summer.

For 6 weeks I studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, through the PIIRS Global Seminar program at Princeton University. From the Salzburg Alps to the Danube River, I immersed myself in the Viennese lifestyle: trekking through beautiful forest paths, wading through sparkling turquoise water, and attending lively music concerts where I understood nothing. 

On the flipside, I also spent hours on the third floor of Bergasse 19, attending lectures, giving presentations, and learning how to speak German. With the assistance of Professor. Gallo of the German Department and graduate student Friederike Ach, 11 other students and I learned what it truly meant to embody the spirit of learning beyond borders. 

From operas to concerts, art museums to libraries, and mixers to dinners, learning transcended the museum’s walls. 

We dined with guests of the most distinguished nature, learning from famous musicians and local university students what it meant to be Viennese. 

Eat schnitzel. Swim in the Danube. Get a sacher-torte (chocolate cake). 

Together, we visited magnificent castles and saw the tombs of the Habsburg emperors. We hiked the Austrian Alps and walked the Ringstraße. We attended traditional performances and luxurious dinners.

Indeed, this truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

My peers and I entered this experience as strangers, muttering tentative greetings and hesitant introductions but we left as friends, with shared experiences that cannot be replicated.

It was a period in my life where there was truly no limit to what I could experience — Princeton’s Global Seminar program broadened my horizons and gave me an opportunity to learn by experiencing.  

Through cultural immersion, I was able to think like the Viennese, act like the Viennese, and be Viennese; I experienced a glimpse of the world beyond by leveraging Princeton’s extensive resources abroad to truly make the most of this opportunity. 

It was a “soft landing” to the world beyond — in other words, Vienna felt just like home. 

I had access to people who knew where the closest laundromat was, where the best restaurants to eat were, and what “ausgang” meant in English. I had opportunities to visit expensive museums, taste regional cuisines, and interact with the local students. But more importantly, I had a group of people with me who could empathize with the difficulties of living abroad for the first time. 

To others, the Freud Museum looks just like every other building on Bergasse street. But to the 12 of us who left Princeton this Summer, it is a place where we struggled, learned, and celebrated what it means to learn beyond borders. 

Ever since my first year at Princeton, I’ve heard about courses that include University-sponsored trips abroad for its students. This was shocking news to me. A free trip across the world as part of our curriculum? It sounded too good to be true. Come to find out, these classes really existed—and I’d eventually be enrolled in one!

This past fall break, I was part of a lucky group of 10 students who were able to travel to Tokyo, Japan for the course ANT437: Gaming Blackness: The Anthropology of Video Games and Race. Given the heavy Japanese influence on the video game industry, this trip was a perfect way to tie in course themes to tangible, cultural experiences. And it was nothing short of amazing! We had the opportunity to see various shrines and monuments, visit arcades, and even participate in a Q&A with executive Shu Yoshida of Sony Interactive, among many other cool things. We even got to go to Tokyo DisneySea on our last day! These activities and excursions offered us a unique chance to immerse ourselves in Japan’s rich culture, while also applying what we’ve learned in the classroom to real-life.

There are usually a few classes each semester that offer trips like mine. Other destinations have included Paris, Ethiopia, Greece, Ecuador, and many more. Granted, these courses tend to have a cap of about 10-12 students each and are by application only. While preference is sometimes given to students who are majoring in the department offering the course, this shouldn’t discourage you! Our trip, for example, was an Anthropology course listing and included a few Anthropology majors like myself, yet also students from a diverse set of departments, such as: African American Studies, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, and Operations Research and Financial Engineering. That is to say, definitely don’t be dissuaded by a course in a department different from your own major of study. If you’re interested in the topic, shoot your shot and apply! And, of course, work hard on your application and tell the professor exactly why you’re passionate about it. Since these are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, there are a lot of students vying for the limited spots, so showing your enthusiasm and how the course will contribute to your academic journey is always a good idea.

The trip was especially special for me as a senior. After first hearing about these types of classes as a freshman, I hoped and prayed that I’d have the chance to take one of them before I graduated. After all, how often do you get to say you traveled on Princeton’s dime? But semester after semester, I never found a class with a trip that really piqued my interest — until this one! It just so happened that this course not only aligned with my major, but my personal research interests, as well. As someone planning to center her senior thesis around media/digital anthropology and how humans find community in online spaces, it seemed like fate that this class was being offered for my final year at Princeton. Not only that, but it was also the first time I’ve gotten to travel outside of the country in nearly 10 years! All of this culminated in a truly unforgettable experience that I’m incredibly grateful to Princeton for and will cherish forever. What a way to kick off the beginning of the end of my Princeton journey!
 

Each recruitment season I have the privilege of traveling internationally to visit students, parents, and counselors to talk about the Princeton experience and try to demystify the application process. I’m fortunate to read applications from all over the world and with each application comes new insight into their special corner of the world. Still, there’s something to be said for the chance to see the communities where our applicants are coming from in-person. 

This fall I had the opportunity to visit India as I crisscrossed the country for ten days. As this was my fourth trip to India, I’ve come to learn that there’s no amount of time to see or understand everything in this interesting and complex country so I’m grateful for the students and colleagues I met along the way. For most meals I ate with people who live in India full-time – counselors, alumni, and even a close family friend! Sharing meals with colleagues who live in the country I’m visiting is one of the best ways to explore the culture through cuisine.

We’re asking students to move around the world to spend four years with us in Princeton and I think it’s important not only to be in the communities our students are applying from but also to learn about the culture and history of the countries we visit during our recruitment trips. I’ve been able to visit some of India’s impressive landmarks like the Red Fort, Qutb Minar, and Taj Mahal on previous trips, but this time around I spent a lot of time in the car to visit schools further outside the city center so I listened to several podcasts about Indian history and religion as scenes of country and village life rolled by. 

When I’m “on the road” I get a lot of questions about the application process, but conversations tend to end up shifting toward the international student experience at Princeton. Moving thousands of mile from home for four years is a big deal but with students from more than 50 countries (56 in the latest class) trust me when I say that you won’t be alone in transitioning to life in the US! I’m always sure to emphasize the sense of community and intentional support network Princeton offers international students and a few things come to mind on that front:

• The Davis Center’s International Orientation program supports students in their first days in the US when the logistics of getting set up for life in a new country can feel like a lot of pressure. 
• Our residential college system gives students a strong social support network in those first few months when international students are adjusting to a new culture, and perhaps feeling a little home sick. 
• The university’s intentional approach to advising allows international students to feel guided navigating a US university for the first time. 

I’ve been recruiting internationally for twelve years now and from this experience there are a few things I know to be true. That just about every other country has a better train system than we do in the US. That no matter where we’re from we share much more in common than not. That students from every part of the world have similar hopes and worries as they approach their college years, and that those who are supporting them through the admission process want the very best for them. We hope you’ll consider the Princeton admission team among those who are happy to support you so please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!

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This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at an aerospace startup in Singapore, through the Streicker Fellowship, which supports students in pursuing self-sourced internships abroad. It was a summer packed with innovation, learning, and unexpected discoveries that went far beyond just professional development.

During my internship, I dove headfirst into some pretty exciting projects. My main task was testing and optimizing a carbon nanotube neutralizer grid to reduce the power and propellant demands of hall effect thrusters. It was amazing to contribute to something with real-world applications for space technology!

During the internship, I picked up a range of technical skills that I hadn’t fully mastered before. I learned how to operate vacuum chambers, wire electric circuits, and, perhaps the most thrilling part, actually fire a thruster. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your work come to life and perform exactly how you hoped it would. I’m not going to lie—there were a few misfires along the way, but each challenge was a valuable lesson.

Beyond the technical side, the best part was reconnecting with old passions and meeting some fantastic people. From the very beginning, my coworkers and supervisors made me feel incredibly welcome. They were always ready to lend a hand or offer mentorship, guiding me through every part of my project and sharing invaluable advice. They went the extra mile to recommend must-visit spots around Singapore and even brought me local dishes to try during our lunch breaks. I also formed great friendships with the other interns, who were just as enthusiastic about exploring Singapore with me. Singapore itself became a huge source of inspiration. I joined a local sketching group that met weekly, and it quickly became one of my favorite parts of the experience. There’s no better way to take in a city than sitting down with a pencil and notebook, trying to capture its energy on paper.

Singapore is a fascinating blend of modern skyscrapers, lush green spaces, and colorful, traditional Peranakan houses. Sketching the contrast between futuristic buildings and historical architecture was an unforgettable way to experience the city’s diverse identity. Every session made me appreciate Singapore’s unique combination of the old and the new, nature and innovation.

In the end, this summer wasn’t just about enhancing my technical skills in aerospace—it was about reconnecting with my passion for sketching and connecting with a vibrant new culture: science by day, sketches by night, and a whole lot of growth in between. Learning to fire a thruster or wire circuits was thrilling, but the true lessons came in navigating a new cultural environment, taking risks in both my work and personal life, and stepping outside my comfort zones. Each day demanded a new level of adaptability—whether it was addressing the technical misfires that came with operating vacuum chambers or collaborating across language barriers. These situations taught me to problem-solve quickly, think creatively under pressure, and stay focused despite setbacks. I also found new challenges in capturing Singapore's cityscapes in my sketchbook, each structure pushing me to see and render the world differently.

Returning to Princeton, I find myself carrying these lessons with me. Navigating complex group projects or tackling demanding coursework feels different now, as I approach each new challenge with the adaptability and resilience I acquired this summer. I've come back not just with new technical skills, but with a greater confidence in taking on roles that require both independent problem-solving and collaborative effort. The blend of passions and challenges I experienced this summer reminds me to keep stretching beyond my comfort zones—a mindset I’m bringing to everything I do here.

As a Nigerian-American from Prince George’s County, Maryland — home to a large community of Nigerians — I spent most of my childhood in spaces where I could embrace and celebrate my cultural identity. Thus, coming to Princeton — an area with a demographic quite different from my hometown — I initially worried that I’d be unable to find spaces where I could be myself and celebrate my heritage. Fortunately, upon arriving at Princeton, I discovered that this campus is home to many affinity groups, all of which take pride in hosting events with the primary purpose of cultural celebration. Moreover, the first few weeks on campus have been filled with many of these kinds of events — a perfect way to get back into the bustle of things!

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During our first week on campus, the Black Student Union hosted its annual B[l]ack Together event — an outdoor gathering filled with food, post-summer reunions, guest speakers, and affirmations. Yearly, B[l]ack Together serves as a space where Black students can make new friends, network with Black professors and like-minded peers, learn about what it looks like to be Black on campus, and receive words of affirmation as the semester starts. I know so many friend groups that have formed following this event. This year, it was so beautiful to see the first-year students explore this space of solidarity during their first week on campus.

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The next weekend was filled with many different events. As Ethiopians worldwide celebrated the Ethiopian New Year, Princeton’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association hosted a New Year celebration. This event was a beautiful melange of food, Ethiopian music, dancing, and displays of identity. Seeing my Ethiopian friends don their traditional clothing and celebrate their heritage — even so far from home — was wonderful. 

Simultaneously, Princeton’s Society for African Internationals welcomed diasporic students to campus with a welcome dinner. My Nigerian friends and I enthusiastically attended, given the presence of Jollof rice, puff puff, and more of our cultural cuisine — cuisine we often do not have access to during the school year. This event also proved to be a perfect opportunity to meet and network with African international students who were curious about the experience of being African at Princeton.

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Last but certainly not least, Princeton’s Carribean Connection hosted their annual and long-anticipated Rep Yuh Flag event — a night of dancing and music where students from all over the diaspora don flags from their mother countries and celebrate their identities. Last year, I met some of my best friends on campus through this event, and I was beyond excited to participate in it again. Wearing my Nigerian flag on my waist, I spent the night dancing to Caribbean and African music with my friends, feeling immensely proud and rooted in where I come from.

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From language tables where students can speak and practice their native languages to spaces devoted wholly to celebrating our diverse identities, Princeton constantly proves itself as a space where I can not only celebrate my own identity but also learn more about the identities of my peers. With Nigerian Independence Day around the corner, I look forward to celebrating my culture with my Nigerian friends and introducing my beautiful culture to my non-Nigerian peers!

There are so many ways to go abroad during your time at Princeton, including international internships such as the International Internship Program or Internships in Global Health, Global Seminars (Princeton classes taught by Princeton faculty abroad), summer language courses, or applying for funding for an internship, course of study, or research trip of your own design. I had the opportunity to travel to Toronto over fall break of my sophomore year with Canada Club, spend my junior fall studying abroad at ETH Zürich in Switzerland (which you can read more about here), and travel to Kenya through the Global Health Program. I could never have imagined being able to go on fully-funded trips in three continents before attending Princeton and am so grateful for the resources and support provided by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS) and the Office of International Programs.

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I had the extra special opportunity to feel at home during my semester abroad when I visited my high school, UWC Robert Bosch College in Germany, and caught up with my teachers and host family. I also had the privilege of spending the holidays with the families of some of my closest high school friends in southern Switzerland and northern Germany.

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In January, it was off to Kenya! I was lucky enough to be selected in a random draw for students in the Global Health & Health Policy minor who were interested in a trip to Kenya to learn about global health research and initiatives on the ground. We spent the first half of the trip in the capital, Nairobi, where we spoke with UNICEF staff and visited the US Embassy (and met Meg Whitman ‘77, the US ambassador to Kenya and donor of Whitman College). 

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The most impactful activity for me was visiting Mathare, the second largest informal settlement in Kenya, and hearing the passion the young people there have for improving their community. One adolescent girl shared the story of seeing children playing in an area used as a garbage dump and taking the initiative to clean it up and turn it into a park. Many of the people we spoke with are Community Health Workers, people chosen by their community who are responsible for making home visits to 200 homes in their neighborhood, providing basic medical care and referring people to higher levels of care when necessary. I think we should consider using similar community-based models in North America, where many people have limited access to affordable primary care.

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The second half of the trip we spent at Mpala Research Centre, about five hours north of Nairobi by car, where we learned about some of the impressive ecological and health research being conducted and got a taste of fieldwork. My group drove around looking for Grevy’s zebras, which we learned have rounded, Mickey Mouse-like ears unlike plains zebras which have pointed ears. Once we spotted some, we waited for them to poop so we could collect the dung for the Princeton Zebra Project, which studies the endangered zebras’ diets and parasites. 

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My favorite experiences from the second half of the trip were hearing from the Beyond Zero Mobile Health Clinic, which sets up temporary clinics across Laikipia County and provides services ranging from reproductive health to specialist care, and visiting Daraja Academy, which provides girls who might not otherwise have been able to finish high school the chance to pursue postsecondary education. I was so inspired by the student who gave us a tour and how enthusiastic and committed she and her classmates are to using their lives to make a positive impact.

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My semester abroad and trip to Kenya will remain some of my most memorable experiences from my time at Princeton. I hope you will all consider studying abroad, taking a class which involves travel, or pursuing an internship abroad! If you need any more convincing, I encourage you to take a look at the winners of the annual International Eye Photo Contest. As always, feel free to reach out to the email in my bio if you have any questions!

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As an international student from Sydney, Australia, Princeton is a long way from home. Before coming to Princeton, I was nervous about whether or not I would be able to make friends and adjust to the American way of life. However, within my first few days of arriving on campus, my fears disappeared as I participated in an event that all first year international students are invited to: International Orientation (IO). 

IO was a three-day event where we were grouped together with student leaders and participated in social events, talks, and dinners. My favorite memories from IO include watching the student leaders perform USA 101 (a skit about adjusting to living to the US), buying cute succulents for my dorm during a trip to Target, and the final closing ceremony where every student stood up and was applauded when their country of origin was named. IO was where I met the people who I’d consider my best friends at Princeton, and where I learned that there was a community on campus for me. 

After IO, I participated in other orientation events like Community Action (CA). I was excited about meeting new people during CA, but I was also comforted knowing that there were familiar faces in my CA group or residential college that I got to know from IO. Throughout my first year, I always felt a sense of belonging and community when waving to another international student or catching up with someone that I first met during IO. 

At the end of freshman year, I decided to apply to become a Davis International Center leader, and was able to welcome international students from the class of 2027 during this past year’s IO. Being on the reverse side of IO made me appreciate it even more. Being able to make friends with fellow leaders, talk to and welcome new international students (especially those from Australia!), and to plan IO events made me even more appreciative of this group of people. When we host events throughout the semester, such as IO reunion and international karaoke, the amount of people who show up proves to me that the international community is valued and appreciated at Princeton.

As a rising junior, I am still sometimes get hit with a sense of longing for home. But, knowing the friends that I made during IO will be navigating this four-year experience with me, or that I will always be able to reach out to the international community on campus, makes me feel that I’ve found my home away from home. 

Congratulations on your acceptance to Princeton University! As an international student, you’re about to embark on an incredible journey filled with new experiences and opportunities. Knowing how overwhelming and confusing the transition can be, here’s a detailed guide on the essential steps to take before you arrive on campus.

1. Connect with Future Peers on Social Media

Looking back, one of the best things I did to start my Princeton journey was connect with future classmates online. Social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp are great tools for this. While I didn’t join the Facebook group for incoming Princeton students, I did participate in discussions with my Summer Cohort group, and I also reached out to people I saw on the Princeton 2026 Instagram profile as well as current students. These connections provided me support, answered my questions, and overall helped me transition to college life.  

2. Arrange Your Visa Appointment

Securing your visa is a top priority. I applied and scheduled my visa appointment with the U.S. embassy (or consulate) as soon as I received my I-20 form from Princeton. Visa processing times can vary, so it’s important to act quickly. Ensure you have all the required documents, including proof of financial support and any other paperwork specified by the embassy or consulate.

Steps for a Successful Visa Application:

• Gather Documents: I checked a thousand times that I had my I-20, passport, financial documents, visa pictures, and any other required paperwork before going to the embassy.
• Schedule the Appointment: Book your appointment as early as possible to avoid delays. I checked every day and yet it took me 2 weeks until I got an appointment in which I would get my visa on time before leaving. Ideally, you would get the visa before buying flights, but that can be very expensive, so just be on the lookout for appointments daily. Even if it seems as if there are none, the website is updated every day. 
• Prepare for the Interview: Before going to the embassy, I also prepared myself to explain my study plans and how I was going to finance your education (just in case.)

For more information, the Davis International Center is a really good resource to understand the different types of visas and the application requirements. 

3. Register for International Orientation

International Orientation is a program (the best program) designed to help you acclimate to life at Princeton and in the U.S. This orientation introduced me to campus resources, provided important information about visa regulations, and helped me meet other international students. We did awesome activities and even went to Target to buy anything we needed! I also got paired with two IO leaders, who were older international Princeton students that were great resources. This was truly an invaluable resource for a smooth transition.

4. Complete Matriculation Documents

Princeton provided a list of matriculation documents that had to be completed before my arrival to the US. This included health forms, financial documents, housing applications, and other administrative paperwork. It was a bit much to handle, but completing these documents promptly was essential to ensure a smooth start.

5. Pack Smart: Essentials vs. Non-Essentials

Packing for a move across the globe was stressful, as I had to find the right balance between taking what I needed but not overpacking. It may be difficult at first, but I ended up getting used to it. After two years here, I have realized that overpacking can make both move-in and move-out a lot more difficult, so focus on essentials. The following is the prioritization that worked for me:

Essentials to bring:

• Personal Documents: Passport, visa, admission letter, I-20 form (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 form (for J-1 visa), and any other important papers.
• Clothing: I made sure to pack for all seasons, as Princeton experiences a full range of weather. However, for certain stuff that takes up a lot of space, like a winter coat, I bought them in American outlets for reasonable prices. 
• Electronics: It was essential for me to bring my laptop, phone, chargers, and any necessary adapters or converters for U.S. outlets. I wish I had brought a portable power bank for convenience.
• Personal Care Items: I only brought basic toiletries for the first few days and then bought the rest in nearby stores.

Items to Buy in Princeton:

• Comforter, Pillows, and Bedsheets: After having gone through the struggle of packing all my stuff after the year is done here in Princeton, I have learned that these can take up a lot of space. I personally bought them locally to save space.
• Furniture and Room Decor: One of the things I enjoyed most about move-in was decorating and personalizing my dorm with pictures, lights, and posters. Other items that I have seen other students buy are lamps, rugs, and storage solutions. These are best bought locally.
• School Supplies: I bought cheap notebooks, pens, and other school essentials at Target, so don’t worry about them. Also, despite being very old school, after a few lectures I realized that it was easier and very convenient to take notes on my computer.

6. Figure out Mobile Phone and Bank

I personally came to the US with a bank already and had a good idea of what mobile company I wanted to use, as it was much easier and less stressful. However, International Orientation also had a "fair" with different companies that could provide services. But in all honesty, I was able to get through the first semester without an American number at all because Princeton had Wifi everywhere and I didn’t really go off campus very frequently. Some of the most popular phone companies and banks among internationals are Mint and Chase. 

7. Final Preparations: Get on a Flight and Enjoy

As the departure date approached, I made sure to confirm my flight details and check that I had all the documentation needed. I also made sure to know how to get from the airport to campus with public transport. The Davis IC has a really good guide as to how to arrive. This guide also contains useful information about different topics mentioned above (weather, banks, phone number…) that I found particularly useful. 

Final Thoughts

Preparing for Princeton as an international student involved careful planning and a sense of readiness to embrace new experiences. Connecting with peers, packing strategically, completing necessary documents, and participating in orientation and meetings, really prepared me for a successful and enjoyable start to your Princeton journey. Safe travels, and see you on campus!

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The summer after my high school graduation was a time marked by an incessant flow of questions, as everyone I knew sought to understand the reasons behind my decision to go on a gap year and live in India for 9 months. "Why go now?" "Aren't you concerned about missing out on college life?" "Do you think you'll be able to catch up on the academics and knowledge you might lose during your time away?" 

And the truth is, answering these questions wasn’t easy. Deep down, I always knew that I wanted to take a gap year dedicated to travel and service, but I never really knew what that would entail. I was worried about what it would be like to spend so much time away from school, only to dive headfirst back into the whirlwind and fast-paced environment of Princeton. 

But looking back, those questions should never have revolved around what I would potentially “lose” or need to “catch up on” during my year abroad. Instead, they should have focused on the self-discovery, cultural immersion, and personal growth that awaited me.

Bridge Year afforded me a unique opportunity to learn and embrace experiences that never would have been possible had I gone straight to college. Throughout the year, I encountered moments of joy, sadness, and adversity, but good or bad, each of these emerged as invaluable moments of learning. Instead of missing out on a year of school, I gained a series of lessons that could never have been taught to me in a classroom. These lessons, both positive and challenging, have shaped me in ways I couldn't have imagined, and I will carry them with me every day at Princeton and beyond. 

Lesson #1: Kindness is a universal language 

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My first experience living in a homestay was nerve-wracking. It was only the third week in India, during our Fall Enrichment Program, when I found myself seated at a table in Sikkim with my Ama (homestay mom) and Isabella, my 6-year-old homestay sister. They only spoke Nepali, a language which I unfortunately knew none of at the time. I vividly remember the excruciatingly awkward nights spent trying to decipher each other’s words, often ending in confusion and uncomfortable silences. This kind-hearted family was gracious enough to invite me into their home and treat me like their own, and yet I couldn’t communicate with them, get to know them, or express my thanks. I yearned to find a way to tell them all the things I wanted to say. One day, when we were walking through the bustling market streets, Isabella extended her hand towards mine, and in an instant, I tightly embraced it. The trust that I felt from her in that moment filled my heart with joy. That evening, my Ama invited me into the kitchen when she was making dinner and guided me through the intricate process of rolling chapati dough. But my novice attempts resulted in amusingly misshapen creations that elicited a slew of laughter from the both of us. It was a shared experience filled with happiness and camaraderie, and I instantly felt closer to her. Throughout the rest of the year, every interaction I had living in a homestay showed me how actions alone could communicate what words never could. Whether it be a fresh cup of chai, a home-cooked meal, or a warm embrace, their actions spoke volumes. In those moments, I realised that true communication resides in the genuine acts of kindness, the shared experiences, and the unwavering support that we offered one another. Those actions formed an unspoken language, creating the connection that kept us close until now despite being so far apart. 

Lesson #2: You are your own best company 

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Throughout the year, on most evenings, you would have found me in the corner of a garden filled with stone sculptures and willow trees, sitting with a lump of clay or a block of marble, trying to transform it into something new. For my Bridge Year Independent Enrichment Activity, I chose stone carving - a rich tradition that has shaped India’s architecture and artisanal work for centuries. When I arrived at this art studio along the lake, I immediately fell in love with the peace and tranquillity of the space. I spent 5-6 hours there every afternoon, getting completely lost in my work and my thoughts, slowly chipping away at the marble. I discovered a corner of the city that I could make my own, and in that process, I also discovered new parts of myself. I grew comfortable with my inner monologues, my irrational fears, and my incessant ramblings, and found refuge in this space I had created to just unapologetically embrace myself and find comfort in solitude. It is no secret that Princeton can sometimes be a lonely place, and so I reflect on my stone carving journey as a reminder to embrace the value of finding company with oneself and appreciate the beauty of solace and introspection—a realisation that has since become a lifeline for me, keeping me afloat in moments when I’m left on my own.

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Lesson #3: How to be unconditionally compassionate 

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Living in India as someone born and raised in Hong Kong raised questions about my personal identity in the context of China-India relations and border tensions. Spending time out in public and teaching large classes of local students, I had to deal with misinformation-driven microaggressions and discrimination on a regular basis. Although this was difficult and upsetting, it also led me to realise how an increasingly polarised political landscape can foster echo chambers that enable one-sided thinking, manifesting into a form of ignorance that limits empathy and understanding. Acknowledging this, I chose to extend compassion and forgiveness towards those who held misconceptions about me. I practiced compassion by sharing my experiences and engaging in dialogue, aiming to bridge these misunderstandings and share my culture more honestly and authentically. Although this wasn’t easy, I felt comforted by the wise words of Bridge Year Program alumna Yun-Yun Li '17, who gave a speech at our send-off reception with advice that served as a consolatory guide throughout my time in India: “Learn to be able to hold two (or more) contradicting truths in your heart and mind at the same time, and still be able to move forward.” Even though it is true these interactions were challenging, hurtful, and wrong, it is also true that suffering becomes more approachable in a landscape of compassion. So, as I chose my battles and navigated the uncertainties of the year, I tried to remember to always give myself the grace and seek the acceptance and strength needed to continue moving forward—this valuable lesson remains a guiding principle to this day, empowering me to overcome obstacles and continue my journey, no matter what lies ahead.

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At the end of the day, Bridge Year isn’t for everyone, but if you choose to embark on this journey, I can promise you that it will offer you lessons and discoveries that no other course at Princeton will. Bridge Year is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, confront challenges head-on, and expand your horizons in ways that traditional academic pursuits cannot replicate. Embracing the Bridge Year experience will not only shape your time at Princeton but also transform your perspective, inspiring a lifelong commitment to global engagement, personal growth, empathy, and a hope for learning more about yourself, others, and the world we live in.

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