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Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

February 22, 2019 | 44° F in Baltimore

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.

Home, childhood and The House on Mango Street

By LAURA OING
September 16, 2018

Nobody warned me before I went to The Book Thing of Baltimore that it would be at least an hour-long endeavor in pacing and scanning shelves for anything that caught my eye.

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COURTESY OF GAORORELOOAM/CC BY-SA 3.0
Starbucks recently announced plans to phase out plastic straws by 2020.

Starbucks ditches straws - what does it mean?

By ALEX WALINSKAS | September 12, 2018

Earlier this summer, news of Starbucks’ decision to eliminate plastic straws sparked celebratory progressive cries, cynicism about banning a little piece of plastic and a healthy number of memes. Internet buzz aside, are our straws truly endangered? They’re on the decline, but the wave of progress isn’t as rapid as it may seem.

My struggle navigating Hopkins as a low-income student

By SAMUEL FARRAR | September 19, 2018

Last spring I was talking to a friend, who has already spent years in Europe and Asia, about all the places we’d like to be able to visit some day.

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COURTESY OF MARCO ALMBAUER/CC BY-SA 3.0
 Amsterdam, where Vorfeld is studying, is known for its picturesque canals and gorgeous views.

What I've learned about adapting to Dutch culture in my first weeks abroad

By CECILIA VORFELD | September 12, 2018

Hello there! I am writing to you today from almost 4,000 miles away, in a charming café on the bank of a gorgeous canal, among the busy chitchat of the everyday Amsterdammers (the café is called De Drie Graefjes — would definitely recommend their red velvet cake!).

Coming to terms with my newly short hair

By KATHERINE LOGAN | September 13, 2018

Next week, I’m going to be having my head shaved. Not by choice but, rather, as part of a medical procedure. I’ve never been one to put too much effort into my hair, usually just letting it air-dry overnight and wearing it down.

Falling out of love in 14 steps: a how-to guide

By GABI SWISTARA | September 6, 2018

1) This is non-negotiable: You must fall in love. Find someone you’re attracted to, maybe someone from Jiu-Jitsu with chiseled eyes and cheesy dimples who smiles at you from across the room.

Finding success in the real meaning of the grind

By KOPAL BANSAL | September 6, 2018

Why do you do what you do? Seriously. Most of us spend our days just going through the motions; we get up, go to class, study and sleep only to repeat the cycle again.

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Learning from my experience with the Nexplanon birth control device

By SARINA REDZINSKI | September 9, 2018

My junior year, I decided to try birth control. Predictably, sexual health is often not addressed in booklets and presentations prepping kids to go off on their own. Things like birth control and physical exams are assumed to fall under the umbrella of general student health services.

Our culture of shared suffering and the Hopkins meme page

By AMADEA SMITH | September 6, 2018

“When you look down from the top level of Brody Atrium: I wonder if a fall from this height would be enough to kill me.” This is a typical meme post on the “Hopkins Memes for My Lost Hopes and Dreams” Facebook page.

COURTESY OF WILLIAM CHO. 
This is just one example of the kinds of memes posted on the page.

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Realizing how I've grown since freshman year

By RUDY MALCOM | September 8, 2018

Baltimore’s Neighborhoods

By ALYSSA WOODEN | August 28, 2018

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Roommate Survival Guide

By KATIE TAM | September 1, 2018

Roommates. A quintessential part of the College Experience™. Who your roommate is can have a big impact on the rest of your life — I mean you are living with this person for a year in pretty tight quarters. So if you don’t want to end up hating the person you’re living with two months into the semester, keep reading for roommate do’s and don’t’s.

How I found an unexpected home in Baltimore

By JACOB TOOK | August 28, 2018

When I’m in Baltimore, I say I’m from Texas. When I’m not in Baltimore, I say I’m from Baltimore. Texas is a good place to be from, not a good place to be.

COURTESY OF ALYSSA WOODEN
Took found a home in Baltimore after getting involved in the community.

EDA Incekara/Photography Editor
Kelsey Ko right)  joined The News-Letter during her freshman year and is now one of the editors-in-chief.

Why I joined The News-Letter, and why you should too

By KELSEY KO | August 30, 2018

In high school, I was an arts kid. Theater, orchestra, choir — you name it, I did it. I also took classes in poetry and did a lot of that. To me, journalism seemed like another creative outlet that I hadn’t explored yet, and like any eager college freshman, I was itching to join new clubs the second I stepped foot on campus.

Student Involvement Fair sneak preview: Hopkins club spotlight

By BRIANNA DANG | August 28, 2018

There are over 400 student groups at Hopkins, many of which will be at the Student Involvement Fair on Sept. 7. We’ve highlighted a small selection here.

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The best class I’ve taken at Hopkins

By ESTHER HONG | August 30, 2018

Historical facts to help you win Charm City trivia

By MEAGAN PEOPLES | August 28, 2018

COURTESY OF MEAGAN PEOPLES
Over 80 vendors offer their wares at the historic Lexington Market.

COURTESY OF ROLLIN HU
Constructed in 2012, Brody is a popular study spot with group study rooms and a yummy cafe.

Our best tips for navigating Brody and MSE

By ARIELLA SHUA | August 28, 2018

You’ve no doubt noticed the interconnected buildings behind the Beach, one older and shorter, the other newer and sleek. They’re empty now but they won’t be for long. These are MSE and Brody. If you’re a typical Hopkins student, they’ll become your second home.

Advice for freshmen: embrace failures and new friends

By DIVA PAREKH | August 28, 2018

I’m writing an article called “Advice from a senior to a freshman.” Has it really been that long? It doesn’t feel like that long ago I was walking onto Homewood for the first time, standing in the middle of the Gilman Quad utterly and completely lost. I don’t think I’m ready to leave yet.

COURTESY OF DIVA PAREKH
Parekh was able to find a family at Hopkins by leaning on friends for support throughout the years.

No fun and no humanities? Your Hopkins stereotypes, debunked

By JAE CHOI | August 28, 2018

During my first days at Hopkins, I was incredibly anxious about how I would fare and whether I would be happy. But after forging meaningful relationships with friends from diverse backgrounds and getting a taste of the undergraduate experience, I learned that the negative stereotypes concerning Hopkins are based more on fearful speculation than actual experience.

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