My time at THE Johns Hopkins University can only be described as hectic, bustling and ever-moving. From signing myself up for as many clubs as possible to taking 18-credit semesters, I would like to think that I have contributed (quite well) to campus — and Baltimore — during my undergrad. Though I have been involved in many things, I would like to take the time to highlight one class, one organization and one experience that meant so much to me.
Organization:
Nearly two years ago, I joined Hopkins Community Connections (HCC) as a community advocate. At that time, I was bouncing between the idea of the pre-med and pre-law tracks and was having a difficult time trying to balance two opposing paths. Though the first few weeks were challenging, being given the privilege and trust to work with real families facing real issues has been humbling.
HCC has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening organizations that I have ever been a part of. There is a deeply personal bond between an advocate and client when you’ve been working together for weeks — sometimes months — and have tried to problem-solve some of their most intimate issues. I don’t have a favorite client, but there are some families that I have grown quite close to with time.
One moment that stood out to me was when a long-time client of mine asked if he could come in-person to meet me for the first time. He explained that he had remembered my ethnicity from a conversation a few weeks back and wanted to gift me organic honey from “back home.” I was touched, and I will never forget him.
Experience
This past winter break, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea. I had never been one to solo travel or even desire solo outings, but in an unexpected turn of events, I ended up going to Korea completely alone. So, on Christmas morning I was on the 19-hour flight to Seoul... in a middle seat. I slept for at MOST an hour before we landed the farthest I have ever been from home. The next three weeks were spent exploring a unique culture totally unlike what I had ever seen before. I spent many nights lost on public transportation and many mornings looking for non-pork-based meat options, but all of it was worth it. While there, I made a friend from Macedonia (I didn’t even know that place was real), was offered to spend the night in a random ajumma’s house and spent a lot of time in 7-Eleven eating gimbap.
That being said, I did experience some hardships, conflicts and culture shocks, but looking back, that all seems less important. It was a time of firsts, a time of growth and a time of learning. After this trip, despite all else, I can say with confidence that I am awful at skiing, the best Chinese food is in Seoul and Korean Netflix is better.
Class
I know that I said I would pick one course to highlight but forgive me — I'll have to recommend two.
Taught by Professor John Marshall, the first class is a mouthful: Revolution, Anti-Slavery, and Empire 1773-1792: British and American Political Thought from Paine, Smith, and the Declaration of Independence to Cugoano, Wollstonecraft, and the Bill of Rights.
I joined quite late, but I could tell from my very first class that there was something different about this course. Though there are many anti-slavery courses at this university — many of which I have taken — none have ever given me the perspective on slavery and the American Revolution that Marshall provides in this course. In addition to being a witty and kind professor, Marshall takes the materials we’ve studied time after time and gives them a newer (and more interesting) meaning.
He also gets bonus points because he once bought me a book he thought I would enjoy reading!
The second course was Global Political Ecology: Colonialism, Capitalism, and Climate Change with Sheharyar “Sherry” Imran.
In my four years at this school, this has been the only 9 a.m. class that I have ever taken. I honestly thought that I would drop it after the first week for an afternoon class, but I found myself much too interested. I don’t quite have the words to describe this course; my best effort would be Greta Thunberg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's lovechild. The topics covered a vast array of topics from Baltimore’s Curtis Bay pollution to indigenous philosophical thought. It was very clear that Imran had put an immense amount of thought and consideration into each reading selected for class, and I honestly enjoyed reading them. Unfortunately, he is a graduating doctoral student, so I don’t believe the course will be taught again; however, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to appreciate it.
Outside of these classes, organizations and experiences, I have been a part of many opportunities that I also greatly value and cherish.
I know that, at times, the Hopkins workload alone is enough to keep all of us more than busy, but I truly believe having experiences outside of a rigorous education path is the key to enjoying your college years.
I’m not sure if reading this will convince anyone to partake in any of my suggestions, but I hope that at the very least, you are inspired to get involved.
Maria Harar is from Atlanta, Ga. and is graduating with a degree in Political Science and Cognitive Science. She is a former Magazine Editor for The News-Letter.
