Pursuing and Sharing Your Own Identity

When I came to Georgetown two years ago, I was just another international student who did not know what was going on. I remember that I had trouble converting prices from US Dollars to New Taiwan Dollars in order to see whether the meal was worth buying in the first place, followed by the frustration to understand why I had to pay something called the ‘tax’ and the ‘tip’ when I have already paid for my pasta. I had more problems understanding why my friends said “what’s up” and continued walking without waiting for a response, and even more difficulty simply understanding what the phrase “what’s up” meant. However unlucky I felt, over the course of three years, the people and opportunities at Georgetown truly opened my eyes for a new level of cultural appreciation and respect.

At Georgetown, I had the opportunity not only to pursue what I am interested in, but also to share my experiences and interests with other people. I became actively involved with the newly founded Taiwanese American Student Association (TASA), the student group aimed to promote Taiwanese culture through educational, social and cultural events. Last semester, we hosted a Bubble Tea Social for the students to taste Taiwanese dessert, a speaker event called “Cross Strait Dialogue” involving three professionals to talk about U.S.-Taiwan relations, and ‘sibling gatherings’ to meet other students who were also interested in learning more about Taiwan. Recently, with the help of alumni working abroad, we also launched the Hoyas in Greater China Internship program that offers Georgetown student opportunities to intern in Taipei and Shanghai over the summer. These opportunities have truly lowered the fortified cultural boundaries and allowed me to share my personal background and interests with other students. I felt as if I could go beyond my comfort zone and to become involved in my school—what is truly amazing about Georgetown is the respect and tolerance that people have for one and another, and the willingness to learn, to share, and to inspire.

Jennifer Chen
SFS '11
Taipei, Taiwan

The Social Fabric

From day one of setting foot on this campus, one fact becomes glaringly obvious: the social fabric of the Georgetown student body is extraordinarily diverse. This diversity is a point of pride among many at the University and it is discussed and celebrated often. The sort of diversity of which I speak, more specifically, concerns (ironically) a common theme that is woven into this diversity; it is a theme that can be recognized in nearly every instance that a new acquaintance is made - everyone has a "story" and in general no one person's story is remotely similar to the next person's. These stories are of international travel and/or residence, participation in some of the nation's or world's most prestigious student programs, speaking multiple "exotic" languages, pedigrees of striking ethnic variety or even ethnic purity, and the list goes on. As an example, I refer to a good friend of mine; he was born in Canada, holds citizenship in Finland, has a deep English heritage, and has lived in Texas for most of his life, and he also speaks four languages. Even so, both he and I agree that his resume is a far cry from what many other Hoyas can boast.

Obviously there are exceptions to such cases - not everyone has had the opportunity to travel or live abroad, to have learned multiple languages, or to have participated in "leadership" or other scholarship-type programs. To these people, and I am one of them, life amongst such fantastically experienced and privileged people can be overwhelming, intimidating, and even suffocating. Personally, for some time after my initial arrival as a freshman, it made me feel as if I was "behind" in life, so to speak, compared to most of my peers. The that my time here has progressed, however, the more that I realize being "average" (for lack of a better term) is only an alternative form of diversity. In the same way that those of us who are "average" can glean stories and perspectives from others, "average" lives and stories can be just as instructive. It is the fusion of all sides into a share, yet individually nuanced, Georgetown experience that is truly amazing. No matter what you background and life story may be, we all have something to offer each other and to learn from each other at the same time. We are Georgetown, yes; but more precisely, Georgetown is us.

Cheesy? Very. Constructive? Relatively. True? 100%.

Edward Hill
SFS '11
Rapid City, SD

Studying Abroad in Argentina

Given Georgetown's international character, the university offers many opportunities for its students to live and study in different countries, whether it be for a summer, one semester or a full year. I am currently abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a year and am truly enjoying learning about the country’s history, politics, economics and culture.

While I had previously learned about Argentina in Spanish and Latin American history classes, living in Buenos Aires has taken my knowledge of the country to a whole new level. I am enrolled in the University of Buenos Aires and am taking my classes in Spanish with Argentine classmates. As an International Political Economy major, it is very interesting to learn about economic development in a third-world country that suffered a major crisis less than ten years ago. But in addition to what I have learned in the classroom, conversations with friends and my host family have broadened my understanding of economics and politics in Argentina beyond what I have learned in the United States.

I have also immersed myself in the Argentine culture thanks to my wonderful host family. I am constantly referred to by my host mom as her "American daughter" and have found a second family here in Argentina. In addition to providing me with a welcoming home in a busy city of 13 million people, my host parents and siblings have introduced me to and made me a part of their way of life in Buenos Aires. I’ve come to love the traditional hours-long family lunches on Sunday afternoons and listening to tango and folklore music, whether played on a CD or sung by my host mother and sisters. Given my passion for cooking, I’ve also enjoyed learning how to make several Argentine, Spanish and Italian dishes (Argentina has large Spanish and Italian immigrant populations) from my host mother while baking cookies, brownies and scones in return.

I am very grateful that Georgetown encourages its students to step outside of their comfort zones and view the world from a different perspective. Not only do students gain from their travels, but the entire Georgetown community benefits as well when these students return to the Hilltop and share their knowledge with classmates and friends.

Monica Scheid
SFS ‘11
Shorewood, Wisconsin

Interning on Capitol Hill

The one opportunity that I had as a Georgetown student that I am the most pleased about accomplishing is having an internship on Capitol Hill. Many students at Georgetown take advantage of this opportunity, but most do not. I am so glad that I decided to neglect some of my free time for that much more rewarding experience.

Last semester, I spend three days a week working in the Cannon House Office Building for Congressman Pete Olson from Texas. I attended hearings and special events, led tours of the Capitol, answers calls, mail and email from constituents, helped analyze legislation, researched issues, and got to know my Congressman personally. Few people when asked what they ate for lunch can tell a story about eating Chick-fil-a in a Congressman's office or about having a picnic outside of the Library of Congress. That was my Fall semester. I loved every minute of it (well, except for when they took away my badge!). This unique opportunity is incredibly rewarding because it allows you to participate in the government, get to know influential people, and helps you learn new ideas, abilities, and how to manage your time. I think that this opportunity is something that every student at Georgetown should take advantage of. I am so happy that I came to this amazing University in this exciting city everytime I think about the great things that I have done by being here.

Colleen Gibson
MSB '12
Sugar Land, TX

Campus Life

Hello Future Hoyas!

In keeping with the theme of new, fun experiences...the other weekend, my friends and I went to see an improv show put on by the Georgetown Players Improv Group. We went to dinner at the Tombs (a favorite Georgetown tradition) and then spent the next hours in Bulldog Alley laughing like crazy! Georgetown has a fantastic artistic community- I never thought I would do drama in college, but I'm in a sitcom with G.U.T.V.- we are getting ready for our big premiere in two weeks!

Last month, I got to experience a Hoya basketball victory over Duke! Campus was speckled with "Beat Duke" posters, and people lined up for hours in the snow outside the Verizon Center. The energy that everyone in the crowd felt at that game was so much fun- even President Obama and Vice President Biden were there to witness the Hoya Domination!

So, to wrap it all up...Georgetown is a vibrant community of students who get up every day and love what they do and take real pride in our campus community. Seven thousand ambitious, dedicated undergrads, each with a unique story, who want to work hard and have fun-- that's what makes the Hilltop such a great place to be! HOYA SAXA!

Angela Morabito
SFS '13
Marietta, GA

A Summer with Learning With Enterprises

This past summer, I had the chance to volunteer with an awesome organization. Though not a program for only Georgetown students, Learning Enterprises gave me the summer of a lifetime. The program focuses on teaching English around the globe; every summer, over 150 volunteers are sent to more than 10 countries on 4 separate continents. The best part is, it is completely student run and works solely off of donations and sponorship.

For 7 weeks, I had the opportunity teach English in rural villages situated in Hungary and Slovakia. Throughout two separate teaching sessions, I lived with host families and got the chance to experience Hungarian and Slovak culture firsthand. I taught three class each day for children, university aged students, and adults. Their willingness and desire to learn English was incredible; it truly made the program a culture exchange. I shared my life and language with them, but I also learned and received so much in return.

This year, I return to Learning Enterprises as the Hungary/Slovakia program director where I am in charge of assembling a team of 17 volunteers and leading them to Eastern Europe this upcoming summer. I cannot wait to get back to the area and visit my families and friends. The organization is open to all college students who are interested in international volunteerism and a English teaching. (http:www.learningenterprises.org for more information).

Ridge Blanchard

COL '11

Lafayete, LA

The Hilltop Consultants

Another semester just began, which means another group of clients for Hilltop Consultants, a student group dedicated to providing business solutions to non-profits. This semester we'll send five project teams consisting of five to six undergraduates each to work with the VFW, the International Hebrew Free Loan Association, March of Dimes, Georgetown's Catholic Chaplaincy, and L18 (a conglomerate consisting of United Way, AARP, Boy Scouts of America and 20 others.

In all of these projects, our teams will work directly with the non-profits to create solutions to the challenges the non-profits face. These solutions are as different as the organizations we work with. For example, in my freshman year I designed a volunteer structure for Jumpstart's Read for the Record, and other members of my team designed fundraisers for the client. Just last semester, one of our teams advised L18 on how to rebrand their partnership of non-profits. L18 flew three of the team members to Dallas to present their findings to the 23 CEOs that head the non-profits that compose the group and even signed up for another semester.

I'm excited to see the results we'll produce this semester. But also, I can't wait to see what projects we develop for next semester and I hope that you'll be with us to develop the solutions for next semester's clients!

Rob Benkert is currently a Board Member and the VP of Finance for Hilltop Consultants. He's a sophomore and studies Economics in the College. He can be reached about Georgetown questions in general at rgb29@georgetown.edu or finance@hilltopconsultants.org.

Robert Benkert
MSB '12
Brentwood, TN

Interreligious Dialogue and Encounter

This past winter break, an assortment of about thirty individuals set off for a ten-day adventure through Israel. Deemed the “holy congregation of Georgetown” by our local tour guide, we were an eclectic assortment of students, professors, administrators, and friends of the University. We ranged in age from 18 to well over 70 years old and came from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some of us were Jewish, some were Catholic, some were Protestant, some were Muslim, and some grew up in interreligious households. Despite this diversity, however, our group was united by a shared desire to experience the Holy Land through exploring the traditions of the three monotheistic faiths born there, deepening our understanding of how each is connected to the others, and also by learning about the current state of the Arab-Israeli conflict in that small but treasured parcel of land.

The trip grew out of a Georgetown class called “Interreligious Dialogue and Encounter,” which is taught jointly by Georgetown chaplains and professors Rabbi Harold White, Imam Yahya Hendi, and Father Dennis McManus. All three gather in a Healy Hall classroom with students weekly during the semester, teaching about their own Jewish, Catholic, and Islamic religious traditions and engaging each other in dialogue, inviting students to join in. It is a truly unique - and quintessentially Georgetown - experience. Rabbi White and Imam Hendi, however, wanted to bring the skills students learn in their classroom to life on the world stage outside the Hilltop, so, joined by Fr. Pat Rogers, Director of Campus Ministry on the Main Campus, they led a delegation of students on a trip through the Holy Land. We visited sites of religious significance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims; explored historic landmarks both ancient and modern; and met with local politicians, academics, and peace activists to discuss the issues of the conflict and learn about what positive efforts are being made to move forward towards a solution. It was an extraordinary opportunity to experience storied locales with such knowledgeable and distinguished Georgetown professors and to talk with prominent individuals with a wide variety of opinions about the current situation in the Middle East. The trip left those lucky enough to participate touched and inspired, and I am certain that as we transition into a new year and new semester at Georgetown, we will translate our newfound understanding into meaningful action in our classrooms, organizations, and communities.

Meredith McGrath

COL '10

Glenview, IL