Author: Leonardo Magallan

As first year students, we are often plagued with the challenge of deciding what we wish to pursue and what road to take for the future. Currently, my major is stated as finance. However, I have been growing increasingly doubtful as to whether or not this is truly the path I wish to take. The major that has really been creeping up on me is marketing, which isn’t as glamorous as finance is made out to be, but it’s something that I would possibly enjoy more than being in finance. When I saw the flyer for the Major and Minor Fair, I thought this would be a perfect way to get more information on both and see which was the right path for me and get started on it as soon as possible.

Upon approaching the event, I first had to figure out where the multipurpose room even was. I figured I was there when I saw the large queue of students lined up. Once inside, the event was packed, with tables representing the majors and minors offered at Baruch. I visited various tables, picking up papers that eventually grew into a stack. It was interesting learned about the various choices Baruch has to offer. With marketing, I learned that business communications and psychology would be two great options to go for as a minor. Finance had a large crowd as well around the table, however the people representing Finance didn’t seem so sure on how to answer some questions, as well as many did not speak up or ask any good questions (including myself). Overall, the event was informative, not so much as I was expecting as I wish it were more interactive, but it helped me move at least one more step on deciding what I want to choose here at Baruch.

For this week’s blog post, I decided to take advantage of my CUNYID and discover one of the many fine museums New York has to offer: the American Museum of Natural History. Located in the heart of the Theodore Roosevelt Park. across the street from Central Park, I wanted to see for myself why this museum is so renowned and coveted across the country, and remind myself why Night at the Museum was such a great movie.

Not only was the museum itself spectacular, but the bus ride across 79th Street to the museum was lovely as well coming from the Upper East Side where the bus crosses the heart of Central Park, being able to witness the leaves beginning to yellow across the park (Fall is officially upon us!), as well as all the activities being performed within the park. Upon arrival, the building itself possessed an aura of knowledge, proving a warm and exciting welcome its visitors.

I first was welcoming by the Ullman Hall of the Universe. Its placement at the main entrance of the museum was quite clever, representing the start of mankind. The exhibit touched upon the foundations of our modern solar system and how Earth came to be. The hall provided timelines, interactive videos, and artifacts of the solar system, including the Willamette Meteorite which is the largest meteorite ever to be found within North America, discovered in Oregon in the year 1902.

What also drew my attention was the Dinosaur exhibit in the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs. On display were several reconstructions of dinosaurs ranging from many eras of the prehistoric period. The bones ranged from baby dinosaurs, to massive reconstructions of giant ones.

Granted I did arrive to the museum a little “late” (why does it close so early?), from the small taste of what I got, the American Museum of Natural History certainly has plenty more to offer and I am already planning to go back prepared soon to fully explore this amazing building.

Baruch College is renowned for its diversity.During the Club Fair on Convocation Day, I was amazed all the different clubs and organizations Baruch had to offer, specially all the nationalities being representing by students. My high school back in Boston was pretty diverse, but it was never as celebrated and appreciated as much as diversity is here at Baruch.  Everyone is welcome to join any club, no matter your race, gender, or orientation. This sense of inclusion is most likely unmatched by any other institution elsewhere.

For the task of participating in an event, I chose to attend the opening ceremony of Latinx Heritage Month. I am a first generation Peruvian-American. I take great pride in my Peruvian heritage and culture, as well being Hispanic in general. I wanted to immerse myself within my culture and get to know other Hispanics as well. Hispanic culture is known to be fun and lively, and this is exactly what I witnesses as I was there. The sounds of reggaeton, bachata, and merengue filled the entire lobby, as I ate my free plate of tostones and salami. What saw however was really beautiful to me. Everyone in the center dancing to the music was not just Hispanics, but everyone of different nationalities all immersing themselves in the hispanic culture and enjoying it. In this tumultuous time in American, with the fierce battle going on between our current government and immigration, it was wonderful to see everyone celebrating a culture that is seemingly under constant threat daily. I signed up for the Hispanic clubs in attendance. I hope to use these clubs to  bring myself closer to my people, gain support, and also give back to the community that cherish so dearly. I don’t know where exactly the path I’m on will take me, but what I do know is that I will never forget my roots.