Freshman Seminar Fall 2017 – BTA

For my very first student life event I went with my friends to the Latino Heritage Month Opening Ceremony. At first it was very overwhelming the size of the event since there were a lot of people there.  When I first got there, the radio station was playing Hispanic music many of the songs which I recognized which helped make the situation more comfortable. I also ate the varying types of food offered at the event like the mini empanadas, tostones and  coconut ice cream. There were also different tables set up to sign up for clubs like the Latin American Student Association, Ecuadorian Club, and the Association for Latin American Professionals. I was very interested in joining the Ecuadorian Club since I’m from Ecuador. I wanted to join because it would help me meet more people with similar backgrounds to mine. I signed up to learn more about the clubs in interest meetings as well as learning about the different events that would take place throughout the Latino Heritage Month.

I really enjoyed my time at the event. It showed me the diversity among  the Baruch student community and how accepting it was of the many cultures represented in the student body. There were people dancing not only to popular Hispanic songs but also many traditional songs. Everyone was enjoying their time at the event and they were having fun. Even though Baruch is known as a commuter school this experience opened my eyes to how I can enjoy my time here. I’m excited to go to the other Latino Heritage Month events like the Latinx Meet and Greet as well as Let’s Eat. I hope to get more involved in the clubs I signed up for and also going to other Heritage Month events to learn more about other cultures.

On Thursday, as soon as my art class ended and I went out to buy some food, I decided to go check out the Latinx Heritage Month Opening ceremony. There everyone from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds were checking out what was going on in the 2nd floor of Vertical Campus. Loud music and chanting could be heard, but more importantly some free ice cream and finger foods were being served. The longer I was there the more people that showed up and joined in the dancing and other festivities going on. The Baruch College Radio was playing a bunch of different Spanish speaking artists’ music to which I frequently found myself singing along, ranging from Bad Bunny’s reggaeton to Prince Royce’s bachata. After a while, I started looking around seeing what I could do, but (because of my shyness) I stayed to myself and just listened to the music and watched the other members of the Baruch community dancing around, participating in musical chairs, going into the photo booth, and cheering others on. After seeing the tight-knit community that Baruch has to offer and how infectious their energy was I was ready to continue with the rest of my day. Before I left though, I had to take a quick picture. I asked someone if they could snap a quick picture. I asked a guy (who I thought was holding a banner saying ‘Latinx Heritage Month’) if I could take a picture holding the banner, but then later realized it was a banner about the Ecuadorian club. After taking the picture he handed me a slip for the Ecuadorian clubs GIM (which I’m still hesitant to go to since I’m not Ecuadorian and I’m still getting used to Baruch). All in all, it was a nice experience and hope that future ‘Student Life’ experiences have the same energy and sense of togetherness.

Hillel at Baruch is the core of Jewish life at Baruch College. They constantly hold events to foster love for Israel as well as discuss Jewish identity and issues Israel is facing. They do this by hosting activities ranging from concerts by Israeli performers to organizing trips to Israel to open discussions regarding current events. The events are normally complemented by either pizza or israeli snacks. The events are open to everyone who would like to learn more about Israel or just enjoy a concert or free food.

Earlier today I attended Hillel at Baruch’s “20 Minute Monday”. Every Monday from 1230-1250 students are invited to join Hillel for a discussion about current events centered around Israel. As if that was not already enough of an incentive, the discussion is accompanied by free (kosher) pizza!

The discussion today (9/11) about a young Jewish Baruch graduate who tragically passed away in the attacks on 9/11. One of the leaders of the club gave a short speech about her life and then lit candles in her honor. Afterwards, another member of the club recited the Jewish prayer of mourning. We also learned that the young woman’s father now sponsors a female financial student every year at Baruch in memory of his beloved daughter.

I found that pausing during the rush of a busy day to commemorate those who fell 16 years ago was invaluable. It made me wonder why Baruch did not decide to have something as simple as a moment of silence for the entire school.

Overall. while the meeting today had a sad tone, I hope to generally come to these meetings to become better informed about the issues Israel is facing on a regular basis. Hopefully, large crowds will join me so that we can have different points of view present at the meeting.

 

 

When I stepped out of the elevator on the second floor, the Latinx Heritage Month opening ceremony was beginning. The DJ asked the crowd of enthusiastic students, “Where my Latinos at?!” I heard loud screams and roars filled with representation all across the lobby. Withinseconds, I started to hear music from a bunch of different Spanish artists, including Prince Royce and Bad Bunny. The crowd went wild. Students of various diversities, personalities and ethnicities were at the ceremony. They seemed to be very diverse and down to earth. Everyone was having a good time, and so was I.

I grabbed my Puerto Rican friend, Adina, by the hand and forced her to take pictures with me at the photo booth. Then, we went to explore the multiple booths around us, mainly for the purpose of finding food. For the first time ever, I tasted a traditional Hispanic drink known asmorir soñando, which is orange juice mixed with carnation milk. It created a smoothie-like texture and tasted delicious. Mamita’s Ices, which are my favorite, were being handed out. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get one, as they ran out of them. There were different types of tasty Spanish foods at each booth. I got to try cheese and beef empanadas, along with plantains, fried cheese and sausages.

Once Adina and I were finished stuffing our face with the appetizing finger foods available, I made her teach me how to dance salsa. At first she was quite shy, but the music got her out of her comfort zone and made her want to dance. Step, step, hip. Step, step, hip. I started to get the hang of it. Based on the array of flags hanging down from the rail of the third floor, Adina was teaching me the names of the Hispanic countries allthe flags belonged to. All in all, I enjoyed myself at the opened ceremony and a learned a handful of new things.

Despite not even being Filipino, at my friend’s insistence I attended FUSION’s (Filipinos United Students In Other Nations) first General Interest Meeting. As I wasn’t sure as to what I would be expecting I was very impressed by the club’s overall vibe and energy. I watched a video of their skit that they made for a competition the previous year, and though it was very cheesy it was very entertaining and made me wish I could have participated as well. After the presentation, we played a game of rock paper scissor where if you beat someone, they join your “group” and cheer you on until you conquer other “groups” and eventually the entire room. The prize you earn for winning is a windbreaker with the club’s logo on it. I only barely lost when I conquered everyone in the room except for the last person who only had one other person in his group – it was a very climatic ending to a suspenseful game. After the meeting, members of the club personally invited us down to their club room on the 3rd floor, where we were introduced to every member, and were even given free cookie dough to eat which turned out to be very tasty. It was a really welcoming experience. The most exciting part however, was hearing about FUSION’s dance team, ConFUSION. Having danced some hip hop in high school, I was very excited to hear about this, and my friends and I immediately expressed interest in joining. The people at ConFUSION were very welcoming, and even invited us to their practice later that day. So despite it being very last minute, we got right to it, and showed up to shadow ConFUSION’s practice. We had a lot of fun, and despite it only being one day with the club, I’m already looking forward to this year with them.

On Thursday September 7th, I attended the Latin Heritage Month opening ceremony in the 2nd floor lobby of the vertical campus. There were students from many different backgrounds, not just Spanish speaking countries and it was very cool to see such a diverse group of people coming out for an event that celebrates a different culture than their own. The DJ played many different Spanish songs from a variety of artists while students lined up to take pictures at the photo booth with their friends. I also ended up taking pictures in the photo booth with my friend Jasmine. Then, once the pictures were taken, I and everyone else lined up for food at the two tables that stood on either side of the escalator. They served food like plantains, fried chicken, and little appetizer-sized empanadas which were all very satisfying. I also tried a drink called morir soñando, which may sound disgusting as it is orange juice and milk mixed together, but is actually very good. After eating, a game of musical chairs was played and although I didn’t participate, it was still very fun to watch. Once the chairs were cleared away, some students began to dance to the music. There were all kinds of styles, bachata, salsa, merengue and more. I also danced while, at the same time, tried to teach my friend how to dance to the songs that were playing. I am half Puerto Rican so it was very fun to be able to celebrate my culture with music, food, and dancing that have always been a part of my life, at school. It was also very cool to see people of other cultures and ethnicities enjoying the festivities as much as I was. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this event, but it turned out to be very exciting and enjoyable. I’m actually really glad I decided to attend and am looking forward to any upcoming events.

A year ago I had a very exciting idea, I am going to study my undergraduate degree in New York, It took me many months of studying for different kinds of tests and about 1000 pages that needed my signature or any other information about my life, but after a long bureaucratic journey I made it here to Baruch College. I have seen my fair share of the world and experienced many things with people from all around the globe in many different places, so I know that a place or a home is as good as the people you surround yourself with, and so in a new city with some family but no close friends I knew I needed to find a spot where I can meet new people. As an Israeli I was sure to find the Hillel center in Baruch, Hillel is a world-wide organization that deals with connecting people to Israel (my home for the past 23 years), when I got to Hillel’s room for the first time it took me about 8 seconds to start a conversation with a Israeli senior student who introduced me to the rest of the gang. The opening event was held on the 4^th floor and I have had the chance to meet many more interesting students and eat my country’s food (it was not half as good as back home), the event included speeches from staff members and explanations about future activities and plans, since that event I have attended most club hours and kept connecting with new students and staff members, I also hang out with some outside of Baruch walls where the atmosphere can be more liberated in some ways, I am now a member of the Hillel at Baruch club and will take active part in future events, it is important to say that Hillel is open for everyone regardless of their religion, so if you find interest in Israel and even if you don’t, you are welcome.

 

On Thursday I attended a club at Baruch known as Hillel. This club is a common club found at many, if not most, colleges and universities across the United States.  Its primary focus is to provide a Jewish atmosphere to students.  As I walked in I was greeted warmly from people who I have never met, yet they were eager to meet me and talk to me about school, life and religion.  I was shocked to see the large amount of people stuffed into the small Hillel offices.  Immediately my attention was turned to their vibrant bulletin board filled with activities and events.  They had listed a schedule for the events of the week, including a visit by a famous Israeli musician.  They also had a list of other social and academic clubs that seemed interesting.  I saw a sign for TAMID- a club that works directly with startup companies in Tel Aviv, and I am now extremely interested in learning about TAMID, and potentially joining the club.  Aside from all the events and activities, they had something more important….FOOD!!!  Being a kosher keeping Jew, there are not many options for food close by school, so knowing that Hillel provides free food, as well as purchasable sandwiches is really amazing.  The best part about the Hillel is knowing that I always have a “kosher” place to go hang out, talk and meet new people; it gives me a sense of community and family in such a massive overwhelming setting like college.