April Showers & Tears of Joy

Today was a rainy April day, but so joyous in every other way. After a fun night at Spring Fest last night (in which the band the Deleted Scenes performed), the Cultural & Community Engagement Banquet was tonight!

I’ve been involved with CCE in a multitude of different ways. I participated this year in Early Transition Program (ETP), a program designed to make the transition process for underrepresented students a little smoother [http://www.hollins.edu/newstudents/firstyear/orientation_etp.shtml]. ETP has been such a lovely community to be a part of this year! From the very first days of orientation, it’s provided me with a family to fall back on whenever I needed it.

Through CCE, I’ve also been involved with Face2Face, a leadership series that deals with tackling social & cultural taboos associated with diversity [http://www1.hollins.edu/Docs/Intercultural/Face2Face.html]. The series allowed for open, honest discussions about diversity. I have participated in S.H.A.R.E. volunteer projects, such as Day of Service and Feeding America [http://www1.hollins.edu/Docs/Intercultural/SHARE.html]. I have participated in a Safe Haven workshop [http://www1.hollins.edu/Docs/Intercultural/SafeHaven.html].

Most recently, I went on the Jamaica Service Project trip, which I made an entire blog post about.

Until today, I hadn’t realized what a huge impact the CCE community has had on my time thus far at Hollins. It was wonderful to reflect on the year surrounded by friends.

My two best friends, Andrea (who is involved in ETP & will be RA of Sandusky Service house next year) & Maya (who went on the Jamaica Service Project trip this year)

Wibecka (who I met through ETP) & Lauren (who also went on the Jamaica Service Project)

A few of us CCE women were also Passion women! We all took the same Freshman Year Seminar, Passion for Power & the Power of Passion with Prof. Ridley.

Prof. Ridley, the advisor for my first year seminar, and Mollyemma, the student success leader for my seminar & another member of the Jamaica Service Project team. Two of my favorite people at Hollins!

Despite all of the tears, there’s always room for a few silly pictures

By the end of the evening, we were all shedding tears of joy about over the wonderful experiences we’ve had through CCE.

I’m definitely feeling the weight of the imminent graduation of the seniors I’ve become very close with thanks to programs like ETP and the Jamaica Service Project. Even though I am heartbroken to see them go, I feel so thankful that I’ve had this year to make such wonderful, lifelong connections.

We were all definitely feeling the strength of the Hollins sisterhood tonight.

Pavithra

First Days of Spring

Despite a few days of snow at the beginning of the month, spring has finally hit Roanoke!

My friends and I have been enjoying the warm weather by taking tons of pictures outside (and trying to pretend that exams are not just around the corner).

I’ve spent a lot of my time over the last few executing a fundraiser with my BLI 201 Group Project class. We’ve been organizing a spare change and supplies drive for the Roanoke Rescue Mission’s Women and Children’s Center. It’s an organization that our team has been lucky enough to become involved with, so giving back to them is a great feeling.

Speaking of giving back, I capitalized on the warm weather this weekend and spent about 7 hours volunteering! I volunteered at Hollins Manor, a low-income facility for mentally-challenged adults, and at Feeding America’s Food Bank. Service is easily one of my biggest passions in life. Especially after getting back from Jamaica, all I want to do is get even engaged in the Roanoke community. Though I don’t have quite as much time as I’d like to, I hope to participate in S.H.A.R.E events throughout the remainder of this semester and into next semester. For those of you who don’t know, S.H.A.R.E (Students Helping Achieve Rewarding Experiences) is a service-based peer-educational group at Hollins.

Hollins’ Theater spring musical, 9 to 5, opened this weekend as well! I went on opening night, and as usual, was blown away by the talent in the department. I look forward to going again before it closes.

Pavithra

Jamaica Service Project 2013

I have trouble finding words to describe how incredible the Jamaica Service Project was. For me, despite the year-long internship leading up to the trip, it was utterly life-changing. I felt so embraced by the community of Lucea. It truly confirmed my future plans to work in international policy & communication.

We were lucky enough to have President Gray accompany us on the trip given that it was the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Hollins and Lucea. She joined us as we acquainted ourselves with the community, explored different parishes, worked in Lucea Primary School and Ruseas junior high school, and volunteered in the Hanover infirmary.

A view of the shoreline near some of our home stays

Fruit at the Lucea marketplace

Bonding with President Gray over fresh coconut milk!

Mangrove Swamps, Black River Rainforest, St. Elizabeth parish.

With Mrs. Young’s 2nd grade class at Lucea Primary

Mollyemma and I visiting with Delbert in the Hanover Infirmary

Maya and I with our Host Mom, Mrs. Malcolm

This trip was so wonderful for me because it was so far outside of my comfort zone. I also want to extend the deepest of thanks to everyone who made this trip possible, especially Jeri Suarez (Associate Dean of Cultural and Community Engagement). Jeri worked tirelessly to ensure we had the safest, most culturally rich experience while in Jamaica. Over the last 25 years, Lucea has become her home away from home. The Hollins-Lucea partnership would be nothing without her.

Pavithra

Food, friends, and lots of fun!

The first few days of March have been cold but cozy! Maya’s best friend from back home came up to Hollins to visit for the weekend so we all jumped at the opportunity to show her around Hollins and downtown Roanoke. It’s always fun to wander around downtown, especially because parking is usually free on the weekends!

Candid Maya! Nothing captures how much we love exploring downtown as much as this picture.

We first went to Wasabi’s, a sushi bar & restaurant on Market Street. If you’re ever in Roanoke and in the mood for Japanese cuisine, Wasabi’s is a must! I always get an order of the Vegetarian Maki roll, which is composed of carrots, cucumber, avocado. I am getting so hungry even thinking about it.

After Wasabi’s, a quick trip to Sweet Frog frozen yogurt seemed like a necessary detour. As a self-proclaimed chocoholic, I got the double chocolate yogurt and topped it with chocolate chips, chocolate turtles, chocolate brownie bits, chocolate shell, and maraschino cherries. Maraschino cherries are quite possibly one of my favorite things in the world. If not for the appeal of all of the chocolate, I was tempted to forgo the fro-yo and fill up my cup exclusively with the candied fruits.

Mmm!

This week also marks the fact that we are mid-way through the semester! I cannot believe how fast it flew by. I had only one midterm exam, which was in my World Geography class; it was challenging but I felt prepared for it. More exciting than exams: SPRING BREAK starts tomorrow!

As I’ve mentioned before, for the entirety of spring break I am going to be in Lucea, Jamaica on the 25th annual Jamaica Service Project trip through the Community & Cultural Engagement office. Jeri Suarez, Associate Dean of the office, began to take students to Lucea in 1988 following the destructive effects of Hurricane Gilbert. Since then, Hollins has formed a very strong bond with the town, which allows the annual service trip to be even more rewarding. We will all be staying in home stays  teaching lessons at Lucea Primary School, and volunteering time at the local infirmary. Even more exciting news: President Gray will be accompanying us for the 25th anniversary of the trip!

Preparing to take such a large team down to Jamaica has been fairly hectic. I’ve been packing frantically, but we leave tomorrow morning at 6 am. I look forward to touching ground on unfamiliar soil yet again.

My sad first attempt at packing! With all the traveling I will be doing in the near future, I need to hone this skill.

Another candid of Maya looking rather sartorial and obviously channeling her alter ego, Samantha Brown.

Given that we are taking so many supplies down to Lucea, attempts to pack have become battles with our suitcases to close.

I look forward to really soaking up all that Jamaica has to offer. I am so looking forward to the chance to experience a different culture, embrace diversity, and even be in a warm, tropical climate (it’s about 80 degrees in Lucea right now)! I intend on taking a ton of pictures, so stay tuned for a blog post about the trip once we get back.

Until then,

Pavithra

Batten Weekend!

This weekend was Batten Weekend, a weekend when prospective students come to compete for the prestigious Batten scholarship. As a Batten scholar, I can remember this time last year for myself: the nervous anticipation when considering what was at stake, the overwhelming awe when I realized I could spend my next 4 years at Hollins, the sense of place as the campus community embraced me. I was so excited to get to know some of the girls invited to interview, many of whom I will hopefully see in the fall.

Let’s backtrack a little bit –

On Friday evening, my parents drove up to Hollins from Raleigh because they are on the Parents’ Council.

My dad! This was my first time seeing my parents since December

On Saturday, I spent the afternoon volunteering at Hollins Manor. Then, in the evening we went into downtown Roanoke and ate at one of my favorite Indian restaurants, Nawab.

One word: YUM

After getting back to campus, Maya and I went to Yazzy Boiragee’s senior thesis “There are Other Worlds They have not told You of…,” a show based around jazz, funk, and Afro-futurism. The show was incredible, as all Hollins productions seem to be.

On Sunday, the prospective students began to arrive! As I am training to be a tour guide, I was able to shadow my first tour! It was overwhelming at first, given how big the tour group was, but it was so exhilarating to know I could be a part of making someone’s experience at Hollins memorable.

The prospective student I was supposed to host unfortunately decided not to stay overnight, but my friends and I went to the event hosted for the visiting students anyway. The event was held at a music venue/lounge called Kirk Ave Music Hall and located in the heart of downtown. There was cupcake decorating, crafting, and live music provided by the Jordan Harman band. The band played a fusion of soul, funk, and rock. It was wonderful to spend Sunday evening dancing with friends, both old and new.

I remember this time last year for me was so stressful; interacting with students who are experiencing that now really allowed me to see how much I have grown since coming to Hollins.

Overall, I had a very busy but rewarding weekend.

Pavithra

The Start of Spring Term!

After a restful break in which I was able to readjust to American culture after spending my J-Term abroad, I’m so glad to have started Spring Term! This semester I’m taking 6 classes:

-Math 130 (Math Modeling with Precalculus)

-Intl 210 (World Geography)

-Span 231 (Spanish Conversations & Composition)

-BLI 201 (Group Project)

-Jamaica Spring Internship

-Writing Center tutor course

I’ve really been enjoying all of my classes thus far & can already tell this semester will be significantly more relaxed than last. One thing I’m really enjoying is that most of my classes are 200-level courses. Given that I have fulfilled most of my ESP requirements (https://www.hollins.edu/academics/esp/index.shtml) through AP/IB scores from high school and in the courses I took last semester, it’s great to be taking classes that feed more directly towards my intended majors (International Studies & Communication Studies) and leadership certificate. I’m really engaged in all of my classes thus far (even Math!) which is a great feeling.

In addition to class, I look forward to working at the Hollins Writing Center, working as a campus tour guide for Admissions, and resuming my role as a campus host whenever prospective students come to visit! I absolutely hate being stagnant with my time, so a more lax class schedule means more time I can commit to getting involved on campus, volunteering, and exploring Roanoke.

Here are some highlights from the beginning of Spring term:

I thought I missed all of the snow when I was in Greece but I woke up on Friday to this winter wonderland! It melted by the next day though.

This picture is from a Saturday night when Andrea & I went into the city with a few friends.

Musician Todd Carey played in the Wyndham Robertson Library on Sunday at an event called Rock the Stacks! My school is just too awesome.

An icebreaker on the first day of my Writing Center course: Scrabble!

I’m feeling confident that this semester will shape up to be even more fantastic than last semester. I can’t believe how quickly my first semester whizzed by! In less than 5 weeks, I’ll be headed for Jamaica for the 25th annual Jamaica Service Project. I have a hunch that the rest of the semester will fly by after that.

Until then,

Pavithra

Home again!

It’s so wonderful to be back in the States and back at Hollins after a fantastic time abroad in Greece! As I’ve mentioned before, I went to Greece for my January Term on a Classics & Communications program hosted by Professors Salowey & Richter. We travelled throughout the Attic Basin (central Greece, where Athens is located) and northwards through the regions of Thesprotia, Piera, Kalampaka, Thessaly, and Thessaloniki.

The entire trip was amazing. I am an International Studies and Communication Studies double major (with a concentration in the Mediterranean/Middle Eastern region), so this program was perfect for me. The highlights of the trip for me were:

-the island of Aegina, off the coast of Athens. On the day we went, it was warm (about 65 degrees Fahrenheit!) and sunny, with the exception of a random storm during lunch. One of my favorite things about Greece is how volatile the weather is! It’s hard to explain, but it made the earth seem fresher.

As a lover of anything water-related, Aegina was beautiful! Pictures don’t do it justice!

-The monasteries at Meteora. The monasteries were built in the 14th century and were perched upon giant free-standing rock structures. It was like something out of Lord of the Rings!

Even more incredible: the frescos inside the monasteries look NEW even though they were painted in the 14th century! The monasteries are so isolated that the art is exposed to almost no light pollution.

-The city of Thessaloniki. For the program, we all had independent research projects. My project was on the settlement of Sephardic Jews in Ottoman Greece. During the Ottoman occupation of Greece, some 30,000 Sephardic Jews (from the Iberian peninsula) settled in Thessaloniki, so it was very cool to present on the topic in the city where it happened! Beyond that, Thessaloniki catered to a very young, cosmopolitan demographic.

A view of the Thermaic Gulf from Thessaloniki at sunset

If you’re interested in reading more about the trip, we blogged every day on http://hollinsnorthernmgreece.wordpress.com/.

I had a fantastic time abroad, but it is so wonderful to be back at Hollins! Spring term starts on 6 February, so I am looking forward to starting the semester with a slightly different understanding of the world.

-Pavithra