I still remember the first day I met Eva and Weixin––one of the first friends I made at Amherst. We were sitting at the lounge of Bank of America, waiting to open our bank accounts. I learned that Eva is an exchange student from Yonsei University and Weixin is from Japan. That day was kinda…Continue Reading Until We Meet Again
In this blog post, I hope to share a glimpse into my journey as an international student traveling back home for winter break. For many of us at Amherst College, one of the most pressing concerns isn’t just the excitement of the holidays but also the logistics of transit. When I first arrived in the…Continue Reading Navigating Travel as an Amherst International Student and an International Journey to Japan
My first-year seminar class, Coexistence, volunteered at Not Bread Alone, a local organization providing meals to the community. This experience highlighted the power of collaboration and inspired me to contribute further to Amherst College and the town community…Continue Reading Community Service at Amherst College
“All I want for Christmas is you~” As Mariah Carey “defrosted,” the Christmas season is finally approaching! Maple Tree Lighting On December 6, my friends and I went downtown to witness the 50-plus-year-old tradition of lighting a living maple tree in the Town Common. There was a market beside selling cute Christmas souvenirs, delicious snacks,…Continue Reading The Christmas Season
This past weekend (12/7-12/8), since it’s the last before finals begin, there were various winter formals held by the different clubs and teams on campus. So many clubs had formals this weekend, in fact, that I had three in one night. Now to answer the question: What is a formal? A formal is when a…Continue Reading A Very Formal Weekend at Amherst
In the beginning, I thought that “wasting time” was the ultimate college sin. Like many first-year students, I entered Amherst with an intense desire to prove myself—overwhelmed with assignments, a packed schedule, and a mountain of expectations. Every moment of downtime felt like a wasted opportunity. If I wasn’t studying or doing something productive, I…Continue Reading The Secret Life of College Study Breaks: What I’ve Learned from Wasting Time
When people talk about the first year of college, it’s all excitement, new experiences, and meeting incredible people. And don’t get me wrong—it is fun! But there’s one thing no one seems to warn you about: the first-year (freshman) flu (and every other sickness you can think of). Living in residence halls, sharing spaces, and…Continue Reading Battling the First-Year Flu and Pneumonia: What No One Tells You About College Sickness
Amherst is academically rigorous. Although I took a fair number of AP classes in high school and felt well-prepared, these classes hardly compare to the academic rigor here at Amherst. That is why I often find myself at Office Hours, asking for help from my professors. Office Hours (OHs)— Times that professors schedule outside of…Continue Reading Office Hours at Amherst
One of the biggest worries I had when choosing where to go for school was location. My final two choices came down to a city campus, and here at Amherst. I was concerned if the remote location of Amherst would make it harder to get home even if the city college was further away. As…Continue Reading Herding Home for Thanksgiving at Amherst
Embracing the Power of Routine When I first arrived at Amherst College, I felt the pressure almost immediately. Between rigorous coursework, adapting to a new environment, and the drive to succeed, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. However, I quickly realized that prioritizing my mental health wasn’t just essential for my well-being—it was crucial for…Continue Reading How I Balance Academics and Mental Health at Amherst