SUMMER 2023 ALUMNI
SUMMER 2023 ALUMNI
FRANCES IKWU
How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?
Summer at Brown is an in person college course that lasts from about 1 to 4 weeks. It is a time where you get to live as a mini college student with about 3 hour courses a day and the rest of the time to explore activities and bond with your fellow pre college students. You get to choose your own course which you would have to do about 1-4 hours of homework after classes depending on the intensity of your course.
What is a typical day like during your EP?
A typical day for me was; I would wake up at 6:30 am to take a shower and get ready for classes. Then at 8:00 am, I head to the cafeteria for breakfast with my friends, at 8:25 I start heading to my classroom which I have classes in from 8:30 am to 11:20 am. After classes, I head back to the cafeteria for lunch and then head back to my dorm at around 1 pm. I then take a 45 minute nap and get to studying after. My homework takes me about 1-3 hours to complete so whenever I am done with homework, then I start heading out for events at 4pm. My events usually end at 5 or 6 pm so after the events I grab dinner with my friends. After dinner, we usually head out to Thayers street to get some snacks or to just hang out. After hanging out, we head back to our dorm at about 8 pm. I then finish up my studying if I have any left and then head up to the floor meetings ( only mondays and Thursdays). After 9:30 pm I start to wind down since curfew is at 9:55pm and then I go to bed at 11:00pm.
What was the biggest challenge of your EP?
There honestly wasn't any big challenge of my EP that I didn't get used to. I was really lucky to be surrounded by good RAs and floor mates so my rooming situation wasn't horrible but I would say the Bathrooms were not all that easy to adapt to.
What was the biggest reward of your EP?
My biggest reward for my EP was getting to experience a place outside of home and my comfort zone. This EP made me feel really like I was living my dream college life for 3 weeks and boosted my confidence overall ( which I didn't think was possible). It made me realize that something in life would come to you if you are willing to work for it and if you are definitely open to it.
What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?
I wish I had known how fast time flies by! I also I wish I had known to try to go outside as much as I could with the time I had, but I also don't regret anything because I know I did enough. I also wished I hadn't packed too much.
What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?
I would say definitely give Summer @ Brown a try because you never know how the experiences would end up changing you for the better in your life. Also know that you probably won't get an opportunity to do this program again but you could always travel and learn languages by yourself. In general summer @ Brown is worth giving a try!
ASHANTI RAMIREZ
How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?
Summer @ Brown is an opportunity for students to experience life at an Ivy League institution for about 3-weeks. Students choose one class and have the liberty to partake in a range of activities hosted by the school for the rest of their time. Lectures by special guests, excursions exploring the beach and the rest of the Providence or nearby Boston area, free use of the state-of-the-art Nelson Fitness Center, and more! Students get to network with professors and students from all over the globe, so make the most of your time here.
What is a typical day like during your EP?
I would wake up at 7 am and use the communal bathroom for my floor. I would see the usual people there getting ready as we all had morning classes.
After I finished getting ready, I will meet up with my friend from my class who lived on the same floor and head over to V-Dub for breakfast.
When we finished, we would take a 10-minute walk towards class and settle down for class and setting up our work stations.
After class, I would call my roommate and my fellow SEO scholar (if they were awake) to go grab lunch, and if not I would end up having lunch with my classmates at the Ratty.
I would head back to my dorm get changed and go for a workout
Once i’m done I take a quick shower and take a nap until my roomies class finishes to go grab dinner.
I end my day doing homework with my roomie till bedtime.
What was the biggest challenge of your EP?
The biggest challenge was getting use to a new living environment. I barely slept my first night there because it wasn’t my bed, my body had aches for a few days as it slowly adjusted. I grew uncomfortable with the hygiene of the bathrooms as people made more messes, but as a result I shifted my routine to be more fleshier than ever. I also began prioritizing my sleep schedule too give myself more time to ease into sleep.
What was the biggest reward of your EP?
The biggest reward was definitely the skills I learned from my drawing intensive class. I was intentionally about what class to pick and it paid off immensely. I was very weak and insecure about my skills and took this opportunity to gain the basic fundamentals of drawing. My confidence perked up once I had shown the growth I wanted in class and the motivation from my peers and professor.
What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?
I wish I knew just how fast time goes by, I tried to take advantage of as many opportunities given to be but I couldn’t do everything I wanted. I also wish they told me that I needed a strong suitcase because I accidentally broke my handle while pushing my suitcase up the hills to my dorm.
What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?
You should take the chance to go to Brown, it was a complete experience that I can’t ever replace. I got used to the big and beautiful campus that thoughtfully incorporates the urban city life and the green whimsical rural community we envision a campus to be. I previewed college life and classes without the worry of having top grades so that I can fully absorb the entire experience. I met friends from all over the country and the globe, wandered outside the campus on my own and took excursions to neighboring cities. You will have it all at Brown. Not a single moment will be wasted, it’s a catalyst of great change in your life and a great way to set the course for senior year. Come into Brown with one mentality: “ I can do everything I want to do, I deserve to be in this space and I can thrive. I can relish in the moment and still make the most of my time. I am open to change”
NAFIS RAZ