Author Archives: derek.xiao

My experience at Baruch so far has been okay. The environment doesn’t really suit my personality but the school itself in terms of classes and the friends I do have is pretty awesome. I feel like I could have done better this semester but glad it went the way it went because now I know where I have to improve on and where I should place my priorities. If I could do this over I would study more in the library where I can focus better. I dont think that I have changed that much since I have attended Baruch, maybe a bit more reserved because I know where I stand now because I understand the environment and the people here now.

A lot of the stuff that was said I had already learned in another series of mandatory workshops I had to attend for a summer youth employment program. But this workshop did clarify a lot of things about the interview process that I did not previously know I had to do such as the thank you letters. I just felt that there wasn’t that much opportunity for us to ask individual questions because there were just so many students packed into the one room we were in. I know its not really possible for there to be a workshop solely for the LC but that would be nice if it were. Maybe a little mock interview session would be very helpful too just so that we can practice or observe what we just learned.

Getting to the museum itself was an experience because it was cold, raining, and we only had two umbrellas for three people. It took us a while to find it but when we did we were like, “what kind of museum is this?” When we walked in a doorman put our umbrellas into nice plastic bags and led us to get tickets. These were no normal tickets either… they had stickers on them. When we finally went to see the exhibits they were rather odd. Many of the statues seemed to be in various sex positions and, being the mature men we were, we laughed. The most interesting exhibit we saw was most likely the buddhist shrine with the weird mantras. For me personally it was interesting to see all of these different religions and cultures in one place even though in the outside world they are constantly in conflict. Me being a christian it was interesting to see the religion that most of my ancestors were and how a lot of those customs are still practiced today even though a lot of us are of a different religion now. Some things are passed on and survive the times no matter what.

I’ve been in, and will most likely, be in the city my whole entire life. I never really gave it much thought but now that so many of my friends that went away from college are complaining about how much better it is here I have been appreciating it more and more. And I’m beginning to appreciate what I’ve always taken for granted also because now that I have all these activities it would be so much worse if there weren’t a slow and annoying but necessary train system or if there werent a starbucks every few blocks so I can get that five dolla coffee. The city also allows me to fully embrace the double life of a full time dancer and student. I love it here and wouldn’t mind spending how many years I have left here, going to Baruch 4 days a week for classes, Hunter 5 days a week for dance. I’m sorry=D