Voices

Hopkins is a diverse university where an incredible mix of cultures, academic interests and personalities coexist and thrive. Here is the section where you can publish your unique thoughts, ideas and perspectives on life at Hopkins and beyond.

Self-care tips from The News-Letter editors

By SARAH Y. KIM | November 29, 2018

Sometimes it helps to set everything down and stare into space for a few minutes. If I’m at home, I like to open the window, sit on my bed and focus on something aesthetically pleasing in my room, like my succulent, Luna. I’d listen to something instrumental to slow down my heart rate and breathing: Studio Ghibli soundtracks, Hilary Hahn’s Bach recordings, Schumann and the “Peaceful Piano” playlist on Spotify are always helpful. Afterward, I always feel more grounded, alert and focused. 

Using Google Maps to keep homesickness at bay

By STEPHANIE LEE | November 28, 2018

Humans, by nature, love to measure things. Throughout history, civilizations and individuals alike have consistently created systems of measurement: Ancient Maya charted the skies and compiled a calendar to measure time; physicists work to calculate the scale of our universe; English bishop John Wilkins invented the metric system in the 17th century.

COURTESY OF VAGUEONTHEHOW Grant Gustin plays Barry Allen, the protagonist, on The CW’s The Flash.

Taking in the wisdom of accomplished people

By ARPAN SAHOO | November 28, 2018

Twist the burette, open the tap with your non-dominant hand, swirl the flask and voila! A quick and easy titration,” my chemistry lab professor said. He had been watching me do the lab and stepped up to teach me his titration technique. I observed with awe as he transformed a 10-second process into a one-second feat. 

Explore what your local food scene has to offer

By FRANK GUERRIERO | November 28, 2018

The moment my bus pulled away from the curb of Newark’s Penn Station — only late by a modest 12 minutes, impressively enough — I felt it. With only half a cup of coffee to assuage its relentless appetite, my stomach began to rumble in longing for the hometown staples I’d savored over Thanksgiving break.

PUBLIC DOMAIN A go-to dish from home is the arancini at his uncle’s deli in Fairfield.
COURTESY OF ADDY PERLMAN Pledges bobbing for apples as part of their quest to become sisters.

A tradition passed down through generations

By ADDY PERLMAN | November 28, 2018

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would give you a story to be thankful for.  A long time ago, two mortal enemies formed rival sororities for their high schools. They were each going to take 50 girls from their grades to form pledge classes. Who would recruit whom? Which would be more popular? Who would win? 

What made this year’s Thanksgiving unique

By SAMUEL FARRAR | November 29, 2018

I have to admit, this Thanksgiving was probably my favorite of all time. I talked to some family I hadn’t seen in years, had two Thanksgiving feasts, reconnected with former classmates at a Friendsgiving, and it was all topped off with a nice little $1.8 billion cherry from Michael Bloomberg.

COURTESY OF DAVID SHANKBONE/ CC BY-SA 3.0 Michael Bloomberg’s donation made this Thanksgiving extra sweet.

What I learned from the process of reporting an abuser via social media

By ZUBIA HASAN | November 14, 2018

About three weeks ago I made a Facebook post which, since then, has uprooted my life. When I made the post I did it with the intention of giving my friend a voice who had remained quiet for so long. What has followed has taught me a lot about what happens when you finally speak out about abuse — especially when explicitly stating the perpetrator.

 COURTESY OF STACEY MACNAUGHT/CC BY-SA 2.0 The process of reporting an abuser via Facebook highlighted rape culture.
COURTESY OF MARCIA ZIMMERMAN Marcia’s mom, Sherry Levin, playing for The College of the Holy Cross. 

Realizing my first job isn't the end all be all

By MARCIA ZIMMERMAN | November 15, 2018

I was having a conversation with my grandmother about my job prospects as I walked home in the rain the other day. She asked me what I wanted to do after college, which, of course, is every senior’s favorite question right now. I told her about how I was considering a lot of paths, from data analysis to marketing to management. I wasn’t sure which one was right. 

An ode to M*A*S*H and my home state, California

By ANNA GORDON | November 15, 2018

The first time I visited Malibu Creek State Park was the day before I moved out of California. I had just graduated high school, and, like most kids about to live away from home for the first time in their lives, I was terrified. I spent that summer holed up in my room, watching quite a lot of television and trying to soak up as much time with my family as possible.

PUBLIC DOMAIN Anna found comfort in binge-watching the show M*A*S*H, which was filmed in California.
COURTESY OF INSAPPHOWETRUST/ CC BY-SA 2.0  Maria Bamford’s comedy has influenced Katherine’s own artistic work.

Exploring mental illness through artistic expression

By KATHERINE GILLIS | November 15, 2018

I both love and hate the idea of coping with mental illness through artistic expression. On the one hand, it’s a great way to “pass” an emotional imprint of something negative out of you and turn it into something you’re proud of. A sort of metaphysical turd, if you will. 

Investing more in my relationships with others

By ARPAN SAHOO | November 15, 2018

It’s been a little over two months since I left my home in New Jersey. This period of time has been filled with long nights of studying; meals at the FFC (Fresh Food Cafe); a fear of getting hand, foot and mouth disease; and so much more. But, having been so caught up in my daily tasks, I haven’t had the time to reflect. So that’s what I’m taking a moment to do now. 

thanksgiving
adam jones/ CC BY-SA 2.0 Western beauty standards have influenced aesthetics in other cultures.

Unpacking the influence of Western beauty standards

By CARMEN SCHAFER | November 8, 2018

Growing up, my family visited China twice a year. If you have ever turned on a television in China, then you’re most likely familiar with the skin care commercials: Glowing women with pearl-like complexions, basking in the whitening magic of Olay.

Post-breakup, relearning the love language of food

By FRANK GUERRIERO | November 8, 2018

It’s strange to date seriously in college. To emotionally commit yourself to another person — or just to spend so much of your time with them — seems risky, almost inadvisable in such a formative moment in your life. It follows, then, that it’s even stranger to break up.

JEFFREYW/CC BY 2.0 Guerriero explores how food became a language of self-love after a breakup.
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. (59).png

Finding common ground beyond microaggressions

By SANIYA RAMCHANDANI | November 12, 2018

It is said that familiarity breeds contempt. Eating, studying, hanging out and maybe even sleeping with the same people makes you pretty familiar, I would say. And regardless of the fact that you may only have known them for a couple of months, constant close quarters may mean that they have granted themselves explicit permission to comment and advise you — without being prompted — on matters ranging from the trivial to the all-too personal.

How does the U.S. help young voters?

By ALEX WALINSKAS | November 7, 2018

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 midterm elections, Hopkins has been surprisingly full of “get out the vote” energy. But do the courts and legislatures care as much about our vote as we do? In the midst of the midterms, I look at how America’s voter policies support — or suppress — the youngest voters.

FILE PHOTO Before the midterms, Hopkins rolled out many voter engagement initiatives.
AlejandroLinaresGarcia/ CC BY-SA 4.0 When he was young, Farrar saw appeal in a career as a dump truck man.

Learning to redefine success on my own terms

By SAMUEL FARRAR | November 7, 2018

When I was young, I wanted to be a “dump truck man.” Maybe my five-year-old brain wasn’t taking the negatives of the job into account, but the appeals are obvious. First, I wouldn’t have to go to school anymore, that would be pretty sick. Adults always say they want to travel more, and on the truck I’d be traveling all day long! And do you realize how fun it would be to ride on the back of the truck? It’s like you’re getting paid to ride a roller coaster; a very stinky roller coaster. I went to the dump with my dad sometimes, so I had all the qualifications. I was ready to start immediately.

How to be an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous girl

By GABI SWISTARA | November 8, 2018

Wake up, workout. Take your weight and a photo for your app, Diet Diary, everyday. To make sure you’re losing weight. Workout as much as you can. Start with P90X, not enough. Get into POP Pilates. Everyday, do at least a two-hour workout. 

USDA/cc BY-SA 2.0 Home is where you can have chocolate milk at dinner without shame.

Embracing a changing definition of being home

By KATHERINE GILLIS | October 31, 2018

I went home to visit my family this past weekend. We went out to dinner Saturday night, and I ordered a chicken enchilada and a chocolate milk. Before ordering, I debated in my head whether or not to get my favorite drink. I’m 19. I’m an adult. Adults don’t typically order sweetened dairy products in restaurants, but I figured that, since I was with my family, I might as well be a kid.