Pico Picks: Festivals to Know in NOLA

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

According to the website, the spirit of Jazz Fest was born in 1970 when Mahalia Jackson, the famous gospel singer, spontaneously began singing along with a crowd of second-line revelers during the Louisiana Heritage Fair.  It was a meeting of “jazz and heritage,” a fusion emblematic of New Orleans and its unique culture. Today, the festival boasts over ten stages, genres including zydeco, gospel, and blues, and acts ranging from international legend, Elton John, to local favorites, 610 Stompers. It is a globally renowned gathering of musicians and artists that in my opinion, is unparalleled.

The essence of Jazz Fest is wandering. Yes, you can build your day around a legendary headliner, but the real joy is in discovery. The gospel tent is always a sure bet, and I’ll never forget stumbling upon Brushy One String slaying on his single-string guitar at the Jazz and Heritage stage freshman year. I also recommend being equally adventurous with the food. There are six different food areas, and even a dedicated Food Heritage Stage where chefs and cooks display Louisiana’s culinary traditions. At Jazz Fest, I try to never eat the same food twice, but I can’t help going back to Panorama for Crawfish Bread, WWOZ for their Mango Freeze, and then getting a Plum St. Sno-Ball for dessert.

As a Tulane student, I have come to love Jazz Fest because it is a great opportunity to enjoy diverse music with friends new and old, and celebrate the end of the finals. The university makes it easy for students to attend as well, by offering discounted tickets through the bookstore, and providing shuttles to City Park. Overall, JF is a singularly New Orleanian experience – the best memories arise from the most unexpected stages, acts, and people, and I can guarantee that if you keep an open mind and ear, you will fall in love with this one-of-a-kind festival!

By: Justin Picard

Photo Credit: 

http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2015/04/new_orleans_jazz_fest_2015_jim.html

http://www.biteandbooze.com/2012/05/wonder-where-crawfish-bread-at-jazzfest.html

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/f9d78c8b994790075715b6fcca8ab215d5168d65/c=35-0-566-400&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/WWL/WWL/2014/09/10/1410371471001-10-banana-foster-cream-plum-st.jpg

Top 10 Reasons Why Tulane was the Right School for Me

Top 10 Reasons Why Tulane was the Right School for Me

Nora Colman

Here we are - crunch time. Only 5 days until everyone has to deposit and decide where to enroll - and less than 3 weeks until Graduation. While I can't say that Tulane is the right or best school for everyone, I can without a doubt say that choosing Tulane was the best thing I've ever done. 4 years later, I am completely grateful and in awe of how fast everything has gone. Here's why Tulane was the best school for me (and maybe you too!):

1. Freshman year is the most exciting and welcoming time of your life

Let’s face it – the first week of college anywhere can be terrifying in a new city, with new people and new roommates. But the minute you step on Tulane’s campus, you’ll be greeted by students handing you free t-shirts, free food (snowballs!) and usually lots of hugs. Why? Because Tulane students are genuinely excited to have you here and can’t wait to welcome you into our community.  We can’t wait to show you around to our favorite restaurants, teach you how to make cheese fries at Bruff, bring you to Fridays at the Quad and take you to Boot happy hour. Your RAs, Explore leaders, OTLs and OCs are committed to helping you love Tulane just as much as we do, and are ready to help you transition into college. Whether it’s a pizza party so you can meet the students living on your floor or taking you to Audubon Park, they will always be there during Fall Welcome to answer all of your questions.  You will get more free t-shirts, food and new phone numbers than you’ll ever be prepared for. After all, Fall Welcome is really like the beginning of camp.

At Parkway Tavern during the Nola Experience - freshman year

2. Academics, Professors and Classes

Even though it’s sometimes easy to forget, the reason you’re coming to Tulane is to get a college degree. In my freshman year, I had no idea what I wanted to study. Luckily, Tulane gives you two full years to decide what to major in, and it’s easy to change afterwards. I took a variety of classes in my freshman and sophomore years to try and figure out what interested me – Sociology, Psychology, Biology, History and English. I ended up being a Spanish and History double major, and am fortunate to have taken classes with outstanding professors that not only care about your classwork, but also how you’re doing. Professors at Tulane urge you to stop by their office hours so that they can get to know you better and help in any way possible. If ever you’re struggling in a class, professors reach out to offer their own assistance, as well as direct you to our tutoring center. Professors also incorporate New Orleans into their classes – whether it’s bringing District Donuts to class, field trips around the city, or even dedicating an entire day to the history of Mardi Gras. I’ve been lucky to have some close relationships with my professors, and have used their help to get internships in New Orleans.

Interning at the National WWII Museum - junior/senior year

3. The weather

No snow, no freezing temperatures and lots of sun – what else could you ask for? Our beautiful weather has students in a constant good mood. Tulane even has an outdoor “social pool” at Reily (our gym) for students to sit outside and sunbathe. Professors also love holding class on warm spring days. Year round, Tulane students love spending time outdoors – whether at crawfish boils at the Fly, going for walks in Audubon Park, walking around on Magazine street, or even just sitting out on the LBC Quad to study!

Crawfest - sophomore year

4. New Orleans' food

This city, hands down, has the best food I’ve ever had. While I still can’t pick an all time favorite, some of my go-to’s include Domenica (Italian), Satsuma (brunch), Salu (Spanish), and Jacques Imo’s (Creole). You can head to Parkway Tavern for one of the best sandwiches (poboys) you’ll ever have for under $10, or dress up in your new favorite outfit and head out to a swanky dinner at Redfish Grill. Even the fanciest restaurants have great happy hour deals – including 25 cent martinis at Commander’s Palace or 75 cent oysters at Lüke! I currently have a list on my phone of the 35 restaurants I want (need) to try here – and the list doesn’t even include all of the wonderful places I’ve already been to. 

Chocolate pecan pie at Galatoire's - senior year

5. New Orleans' festivals

In addition to all of the amazing restaurants are some of the best festivals you’ll ever go to – Poboy fest, with over 50 options of different poboys including sushi poboy, fried lobster and smores, French Quarter Fest (as you can tell from the picture, I ate very well) and the Ponchatoula strawberry fest, where you can go pick strawberries yourself! Head down to Champion Square for King cake festival during Mardi Gras, go see some amazing performances during Jazz Fest (so far, I’ve seen Billy Joel, Zac Brown Band, Maroon 5, and Billy Joel, and this year I’m seeing Pitbull and Elton John!), or even Art for Art’s Sake on Magazine street. And we even get festivals on our own turf at Tulane – Crawfest happens every spring, with 20,000 pounds of crawfish, food trucks, giveaways and live music.

French Quarter Fest - senior year

6. The Tulane community

Tulane students really are unique. Everyone is genuinely happy to be here – and they show it. People smile and say hello, they hold doors open, and greet you with hugs and warmth. One of the benefits of a medium sized school is that no matter where on campus I go, I know there will be at least one person who knows me and one person who doesn’t. It feels comforting to have a close support system, but the student body is large and diverse enough that it doesn’t feel suffocating. We all genuinely love Tulane and New Orleans, and whether it’s throwing beads on the Mardi Gras tree on the Academic Quad, sharing a blanket at Fridays at the Quad, tailgating on the LBC quad or even cheese day at Bruff, Tulane students prove the work hard, play hard mentality to be true. We even have our own Snapchat geotag for those late nights at the library (“on a date with Howie T”). 

On vacation in Alabama with friends - junior year

7. Internship & employment opportunities

I’ve been fortunate enough to work at Tulane’s Office of Admission since my sophomore year, and it has been such a great experience. I get to give tours, answer phone calls and emails, and brag about how wonderful Tulane is on a daily basis. There are plenty of job opportunities both on and off campus that students can take advantage of, even if you aren’t granted work/study.  I also utilized our Center for Public Studies to get an internship at the National World War II Museum downtown last summer, and actually received class credit towards my history major! Lastly, our Career Center on campus offers a plethora of services including free business cards, resume editing, practice interviews and a massive database of job opportunities, both in and out of the city. 

The wonderful Admissions interns - senior year

8. Wonderful friends

I have been lucky enough to make an extraordinary group of friends who I consider family. They’ve turned Tulane into my home-away-from-home, my go-to’s for all festivals and dinner dates, and happy hour buddies. Being in a sorority has also given me the opportunity to have a great group and support system – both within my sorority and in the Greek community as a whole. The Tulane family is strong, fun, hard working, kind, generous, and knows how to have a good time!

Bid day - sophomore year

9. Study abroad

As hard as it was for me to leave Tulane, I am so glad I went abroad. I spent the fall semester of my junior year in Granada, Spain – living, learning, eating, breathing and even dreaming all in Spanish. I took classes all in Spanish and lived with a host family that spoke no English. While abroad, I also travelled to France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Denmark, Ireland and all over Spain. I learned so much about myself and about the world, and I came back to Tulane a better, stronger and wiser person. Even if you’re not interested in learning a language, Tulane offers programs all over the world so that you can find one that matches the major(s) and country of your choice! 

Lagos, Portugal - junior year

10. Not wanting to graduate

Here’s where it gets real. It took me over a week to write this because I wasn’t emotionally ready to handle this paragraph – but here it goes. Going to Tulane has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I can’t imagine spending these past 4 years anywhere else, and know that I wouldn’t have gotten the same experience elsewhere.  No other place or experience has brought me more laughter, dancing in the streets, festivals, study dates, true friendship, and more academic and personal growth than and I ever could’ve asked for. I won’t say that Tulane is the right or best school for everyone. But it was the best school for me. Graduation (or the “g word” as I’ve been calling it) is coming up sooner than I’d like to admit, and although I have to say I am ready, Tulane and New Orleans will always hold a special place in my heart.

Reily rocks - first week of freshman year

Saints game - first week of senior year

Finding Your Niche, the Tulane Way: The “There Are 200+ Student Organizations on Campus; Where Do I Possibly Begin?” Blog You’ve All Been Waiting For

           Part of what makes the “Tulane Experience” so magical is the option for students to get involved right from the get-go by joining one (or certainly more than just one) of our over 200 active student organizations. From club sailing to political organizations to service-oriented groups, your options are essentially endless. And in the unlikely event you can’t find something that tickles your fancy? Simply gather a bunch of like-minded individuals willing to organize themselves and present your case to the Undergraduate Student Government and you’re well on the way to becoming a new student organization!

            What’s more is Tulane’s student organizations provide the chance to not only pursue your interests, but also to hone students into young leaders capable of leading large groups of people. These leadership qualities are exactly what make Tulane students so attractive to prospective employers!

           Below you’ll find five general categories of organizations highlighted to better illustrate all that you can encounter at Tulane! THIS BELOW LIST IS BY NO MEANS COMPLETE—rather, it merely scratches the surface of limitless possibilities you will find down here in New Orleans.

      Student Government—

Interested in listening to your fellow students, meeting with administrators, writing and debating legislation, or just generally governing Tulanians? Then take some time to learn about student government. One has many options for becoming involved in the various student government associations in place on campus. Run for the community government of your dorm to test the waters and see if it’s something you’re ready for. Plan banquets for your hallmates, institute new policies for your residents, or simply create new ways of celebrating life in the dorms. If you already know that student governance is for you, then try running for that Senate seat that represents your specific undergraduate school or nominate yourself for a Council Chair position that represents an umbrella of student organizations under you. With that experience under your belt, you can even run for Executive Board positions on either the Undergraduate Student Government (governing undergraduate students) or the Associated Student Body (governing all Tulane students) later on if you’ve proven yourself to your peers and can campaign hard for votes!

 The School of Science and Engineering Student Government hosting their famous Snow Day on the LBC Quad

Green Wave Ambassadors—

Have you toured Tulane yet? Have you heard some of our fabulous tour guides speak candidly about student life on those panels for Destination Tulane? If yes, then you already know about Tulane GWA. Made up of 200 of the most involved, most intelligent, and most outgoing students on campus, our Green Wave Ambassadors are responsible for taking time out of their already busy schedules to share with you exactly why they love Tulane. Now, this job may seem easy because there are so many things to love about Tulane. But this job requires serious commitment. The rewards, though, are outstanding: $5 in Amazon Bucks per tour or special event and tons of travel possibilities to recruit students from all over the country. Interested? Apply during the fall for a chance! 

Just a few of our over 200 student tour guides! 

LGBTQIA/ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, Intersex, Asexual)—

Now, you don’t personally need to identify with this group in order to recognize its importance on campus. Students have many chances to find comfortable spots for themselves. Student organizations under this umbrella provide safe spaces for those who are out and/or questioning their interests. Organizations such as Gamma Rho Lambda and the Tulane Queer Straight Alliance allow students opportunities to learn, grow, and accept, further solidifying the bonds between Tulane students.

Students gathering on the LBC Quad during Pride Week at Tulane

Sports—

Are you a more athletic type? Are you looking for a way to keep in-shape to stave off the Freshman 15 or Tulane 20? If you answered yes to either of the previous questions, then playing a sport could be for you. To put things in perspective, there are three types of organized sport one can play at Tulane: Varsity (Division I sports), Club Sports, and Intramural Sports. The degree of competition varies for each and decreases from varsity to club to intramural. For those star, probably recruited, athletes, varsity sports could be your thing. At Tulane, we have 15 varsity sports teams and a brand new football stadium called Yulman Stadium! For those athletes who seek competition, but don’t have the time commitment, play a club sport. We have over 30 club sport teams, from lacrosse to cricket to quidditch, so there’s bound to be some sport that suits your interests! For those who seek a good time under the guise of working out, try an intramural sport. Over 60% of students participate in intramural sports every year, forming teams through clubs, classes, Greek organizations, and residence halls. Sports include basketball, indoor and outdoor soccer, football, sand and indoor volleyball, tennis, and others.

Nominees on Tulane's Class of 2015 Homecoming Court in Yulman Stadium, Tulane's brand new football complex

CACTUS (Community Action Council for Tulane University Students)/Emergency Response groups—

These organizations provide much needed care and comfort for those at Tulane and those in the city at large. CACTUS is the council under which all student organizations whose main focus is community outreach fall. At Tulane, we value service so much in fact that we require every student to fulfill two tiers of service learning in the greater New Orleans area. New Orleans makes us who we are and we aim to give back in any way possible. Under this umbrella, one can volunteer with organizations specializing in providing mentors to youth in the city, such as WYSE (Women and Youth Supporting Each Other), or join organizations that work for greater sustainability. If you’re interested in helping people in a greater capacity, apply to TEMS (Tulane Emergency Medical Service), an entirely student-run, volunteer medical service. Or maybe apply to SAPHE (Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline and Aggression) to provide advice and comfort for victims of sexual assault.

The logo developed by Tulane students to show support for the national It's On Us campaign, raising awareness for sexual assault

Tulane has a way of making sure its students find their place. If that first organization whose meeting you show up for isn’t that interesting, try a different one. You’re bound to find something that works for you!

Christopher Halbohn