We all know the hoards of people you pass by in the crowded and bustling Curry Student Center. But it’s about time we actually get to know our fellow Huskies we rush by in between classes. I did the unthinkable. I approached random people around campus and asked them about themselves, specifically about their summers and where a few of them might want to travel in the future. I know what you’re thinking: summer is long gone, the pumpkin spice latte is already back, and the leaves around campus are beginning to fall. I think we should remember what once was and this handful of Huskies had some memorable summer experiences.
Tanya
Second-Year Finance Major
Even though Seattle is best known for coffee, that’s not what drew Tanya to this West Coast city, especially since she doesn’t like drinking it. She spent a week exploring all the classic must-see spots around Seattle and visiting her aunt and uncle. She really loved Seattle and preferred the brisk sunny summer weather there much more than Boston’s heat and humidity. Besides her Seattle adventure, she also went to Oklahoma City for a wedding of one of her close friends. Tanya was so happy for her friend, who had been through a lot, but met her husband and got engaged to him just a few months later. After a year, they got married and it was such a fun wedding. Sounds like the summer of love to me. *Pan to me watching To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on Netflix for the fifty-fourth time.*
Matt
Fourth-Year Finance and Marine Biology Double Major
Did you spend the beginning half of your summer finishing up a co-op? Well, so did Matt. He worked at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, where he worked in business development. He handled grant applications, consolidated data, and promoted clean energy. This was his second co-op and, much like everyone else, he’s still figuring it all out. Beyond work and summer classes, he got SCUBA certified with United Divers in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was something he always wanted to do. Part of the reason why he did it was because he is a newly decided Marine Biology and Finance double major.
Joanna
First-Year Economics Major
Ready to be jealous of one of the coolest summer vacations ever? Joanna, a new Husky on campus, spent two weeks hotel surfing with her friend in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and Italy. The two of them went to celebrate their high school graduation. Her favorite part of the European adventure was hiking through the Swiss Alps and seeing how high up she was when she reached the top. Traveling around a new place can be challenging, especially when you’re in another country, and Joanna definitely had to pay the price, “I got a fine on the train. long story short, I bought a ticket and got on the train but then realized the ticket I bought was for a different route. While my friend and I were on the train there were police checking tickets and fined both of us 35 euro, which wasn’t bad but definitely a memorable experience.” Throughout her international travels, she got to try all different types of foods so it is no surprise she was hard-pressed to choose her favorite, which would have to be escargots. Are you a world traveler? Maybe you love hiking? Or have an adventurous appetite? Well, the next time you’re walking around on campus and see Joanna ask her for some European traveling advice!
Tajonae
Transfer Second-Year Computer Engineering Major
Besides getting ready to transfer to Northeastern, this new Husky, Tajonae, spent her summer busy at work as an intern with an engineering consultant firm. There she worked on collecting and comparing data from homes built in 1919 to homes built today and calculating different heat resistances of roof temperatures. She also created a database for her boss to search for specific terms, calculations of energy saving options, repair options, energy audits, and more. Tajonae then went on a well deserved week-long cruise to Belize, Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman Islands, and Mahogany Bay with her family. She loved the cruise but faced one upsetting experience, “It was really fun to explore different places but one time we were rushed off the beach to get back on the ship and I forgot my phone on the beach!” Tajonae said. It was a problem but with the help of a lot of good food like lobster, steak, and a burger shack made by Guy Fieri on board the cruise ship, she soon forgot about her forgotten phone.
Erika
Third-Year Communications Major
Do you love a classic bowl of pasta? Well so does Erika! Her dream is to visit the beautiful lands of Italia. “It’s just one of those places that ever since I was a little girl, I thought it was so foreign and fun,” said Erika, with a day-dream smile. She doesn’t know anyone living there right now but she would love to study abroad in Italy if given the chance.
Sofia
First-Year Computer Science and Math Combined Major
We have another pasta lover and can you blame her? Tagliatelle, gemelli, ravioli, rigatoni, linguine… Now that I have you drooling you can understand why Italy is such a desirable place to visit. For Sofia, food plays an obvious role in her desire to visit Italy but she also has a personal draw to the country. “Well, I am Italian so I want to see where my ancestors are from.” As for her must-see tourist spots, she can’t wait to tour the Colosseum.
Mey
Third-Year Mechanical Engineering Major
Is half of your heart in Havana (ooh-na-na)? Mey definitely has her heart set on visiting Cuba as soon as she can, especially before it gets very “touristy”. “I have some family that lives in Cuba and I’ve never been there or met anyone else who has been there so I think it would be a great experience,” said Mey, “It’s just such a beautiful island and I really want to explore the countryside.”
Caitlyn
First-Year Undecided Major
Home of the first game of golf, Scotland is also the dream vacation destination for Caitlyn. “I want to go to Edinburgh, Scotland because it has a lot of character and culture. I’ve never visited anywhere outside of the US besides England so that’s where I’d want to go,” said Caitlyn.
Maybe next time you’re waiting in a 15-minute line at Starbucks or the ever-crowded Rebecca’s, tap the shoulder of the person in front of you and ask them what they’ve been up to lately. You might be surprised!