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Showing posts from March, 2024

Directing the 36th Ghungroo: Celebrating South Asian Culture at Harvard!

  “ We all hold a little softness in our hearts for something that feels like ‘home.’ The taste of ginger in our mother’s chai, the melody of lullabies softly hummed into our ears by our parents and their parent’s before that, the aroma of agarbatti coating our childhood homes…”  Jasleen Kaur ’25 and I hold our wireless mics behind the curtain of the Agassiz Theatre’s stage where Ghungroo — the largest student-run production on campus — takes place each year. We read aloud the beginning of this year’s vision for the show,  Remembrances:  “Remembrance, like gold-tinted glass, coats seemingly ordinary moments in a layer of warmth and belonging. As we chase down the nostalgic smells, sights, and traditions of our past, we find ourselves in a community of individuals embarking on the same journey, each reciting a slightly different folktale, some written in familiar dialects and others foreign to our native tongues.”   Hana Rehman and Jasleen Kaur, the co-directors ...

The Age of Anxiety: How My Gen Ed Class Has Defined My Junior Spring

  Junior year has been one of the toughest years in college so far. This semester, choosing to take five classes and participating in four extracurricular activities has been incredibly fun. Still, at times, it’s left me swamped with deadlines and debates about how to spend my time. Weekends have become partial breaks, and each day seems to stretch longer as the semester progresses.  One class, however, has helped me contextualize my stress and understand on a deeper level a human condition that is pervasive and inevitable among college students: anxiety. Where does anxiety come from? Where does anxiety go? And, most importantly, what insights can we draw from the study of anxiety in art, literature, history, psychology, and philosophy? Exploring this question has turned my semester into a case study of sorts. In this blog, I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned so far, and why this Gen Ed class has been one of my favorite classes at Harvard. The Harvard College Program i...

Celebrating Black Excellence: Harvard BMF

  As February comes to an end, I wanted to take some time to write a piece in the spirit of Black History Month. This is an extremely important month that celebrates Black resilience, pride, and achievement as a whole. And as a black man studying at Harvard, I wanted to point the spotlight at Harvard  Black Men’s Forum  (BMF), an organization that embodies the essence of Black excellence and community.  Founded on principles of empowerment, advocacy, and brotherhood, BMF stands as a beacon of support for Black masculine identifying students navigating the intricacies of higher education. With a commitment to bolstering their three pillars of brotherhood, masculinity, and fidelity, the Forum’s goals are as multifaceted as the individuals it serves. One of our primary objectives is to cultivate a sense of belonging and camaraderie among Black masculine identifying people on campus. In a predominantly white institution like Harvard, where the landscape of academia can o...

Harvard Housing Day

  Harvard Housing Day is more than just an event; it's a rite of passage, a moment that transcends the ordinary and marks the beginning of a unique chapter in every freshman's life. As a first year to the vibrant Harvard community, your housing day experience will be nothing short of magical, filled with anticipation, excitement, and the thrill of discovering your new home. (Disclaimer, my housing day was on Zoom due to the COVID pandemic so yours is 100% going to be much better than what I went through). In the days leading up to Housing Day, there's an electrifying buzz on campus. Rumors swirl, speculations abound, and there's an air of mystery as students eagerly await the revelation of their assigned house. It's a time of camaraderie and unity as everyone shares the anticipation of discovering where they'll spend the next three years of their college journey.  Of course though, some students will be filled with existential dread as they pray to their gods to...

My Favorite Study Spaces on Harvard's Campus

  During my more than two years as an undergraduate student here, I've had the unique opportunity to explore various nooks and crannies across this historic campus, each offering its ambiance and inspiring a different kind of productivity.  From the grandeur of  Widener Library  to the innovative spirit of the Science and Engineering Complex, Harvard's campus is not just a backdrop for education but a dynamic participant. Each study space at Harvard is more than just a place to read and write; it's an enclave of history, culture, and academic pursuits that resonates with the vibrant spirit of the university. They are spaces where ideas flourish, friendships are forged over shared notes, and the legacy of past scholars seems to echo through the walls.  In this post, I'll take you on a personal journey through some of my favorite study spots, sharing insights on why they stand out and how they contribute to my Harvard experience. Science & Engineering Complex ...