Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Meet the Admissions Interns!



Meet the Admissions Interns!

Ever wonder who's on the other side of those phone calls, emails, and instant messages that you send? Meet the admissions interns, 21 current students, who work the front desk at Tulane. Each intern will tell you something about themselves, their favorite things about Tulane, and most importantly, advice for future Tulane students. Check us out!


1. Sean Saxon

Sean giving a tour to President Fitts!
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA (aka the Big Raggedy)
Grade: Senior
Majors: Double majoring in Neuroscience and Spanish
Favorite thing about Tulane: My favorite thing about Tulane has been meeting students from all over the country here in New Orleans. Being from Louisiana it has been so much fun getting to share our rich culture (and  delicious food!) with my friends from out of state, all the while meeting people from places I want to visit! 
Favorite thing about working at the Admissions office: Getting to talk to future students about just how great this place is
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Hérbsaint New Orleans
Appetizer: Gnocchi with Lamb Bolognese and Mint Gremolata
Entreé: Muscovy Duck Leg Confit with Dirty Rice and Citrus Gastrique
Dessert: Banana Brown Butter Tart with Fleur de Sel Caramel
What I'm involved in on campus: Vice President (Academic Affairs), Student Government, Community Service Exec Board (CACTUS), Greek Life (Phi Gamma Delta), Honor Board, GWA
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I would have owned a pair of Chaco’s! 



2. Becca Greaves

Playing Annabel Lee in the Tulane play "Still Life with Iris"
Hometown: Boston, MA
Grade: Senior
Major: I double major in Theatre and English
Favorite part of Tulane: My favorite part of Tulane is how passionate people are about Tulane and New Orleans

Favorite part about working at the Admissions Office: My favorite part about being an intern is the company :) 
Favorite restaurant and meal in New Orleans: My favorite meal is Panang Curry from Thai Mint
What I'm involved in on campus: I'm involved with Theatre on campus and professionally in the city, various performing arts societies, and service in the community through the arts
 What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I had known that life would be a lot easier with a bike

3. Barry Rubenstein
Hanging out at Mardi Gras World!
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
Grade: Sophomore
Major: Majoring in finance and management, minoring in social innovation/social entrepreneurship
Favorite part of Tulane: The countless opportunities and experiences that one is exposed to as a student

Favorite part about working at the Admissions Office: Getting to interact with prospective parents and students, on a daily basis. I can share my love of Tulane and New Orleans with other people.
Favorite restaurant and meal in New Orleans: Clooney's Choice sandwich from Milk Bar
What I'm involved in on campus: GWA, CACTUS Executive Board, Academic Affairs Committee, TA, Admissions intern, Crawfest board member, Greek life, Greenie Camp Orientation leader
 What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: As a freshman, I wish I knew how to manage my own schedule a little better. I was used to always being told when assignments were due. College teaches you (very quickly) how to be an independent and responsible person. I am happy that I was taught to be this type of person, because it has helped me throughout life.



4. Erica Lipoff

Eating some yummy food at Crawfest!

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Grade: Senior
Major: Spanish and Art History majors/ Art History minor (Pre-Law)
Favorite part of Tulane​: The size! The campus is accessible and I always see friends on my way to class, but Tulane is just big enough that I have a sense of anonymity as well.
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: Working in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, I have the opportunity to interface with every kind of person on a daily basis. Every day, there is a new, exciting challenge!
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: My friends and I love going to Bacchanal in the Bywater. Sitting in the backyard under the Christmas lights, we never fail to enjoy some high quality food and some high quality music.
What I'm involved in on campus: I am a recipient of the Community Service Scholarship, so I have had the opportunity to engage with the New Orleans community in a variety of ways during my time at Tulane. Currently, I am the Coordinator for Project Raintree, a mentorship program for girls in between foster care. I bring a group of volunteers to the residential facility weekly for activities ranging from conversations about domestic violence to spa & movie nights. I am also an Intensive Intern at Orleans Public Defenders, where I am currently working on a bond reduction advocacy project. Ultimately, I aim to show judges why pre-trial incarceration in Orleans Parish is debilitating. 

What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I had known about the Summer Study Abroad programs that Tulane offers sooner! Now that I am in my last year at Tulane, I have been able to spend one summer in Cuba and another in Costa Rica through the Stone Center for Latin American Studies.


5. Trey Holmes

On a swamp tour!

Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Grade: Junior
Major: Majoring in Public Health and minoring in Business
Favorite part of Tulane: I love being in the South and meeting students from all over the country. I now have free places to stay in almost every large city in the country!

Favorite part about working at the Admissions Office: Spending time with the other interns! We are all so excited and eager to help prospective students and families in every way we can but also get along really well in and out of the office.
Favorite restaurant and meal in New Orleans: One of my favorite meals (too many to choose one): 25 cent oysters at the Blind Pelican during happy hour!
What I'm involved in on campus: CACTUS (Vice Chair of Events), USG (Executive Vice President), Community Service Scholars, Public Health USG (Junior Rep), Volunteer at Children's Hospital
 What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I would have known sooner on that my professors are my friends! It is never too early to get connected with Tulane, the faculty and administrators.


6. Morgan Laurent

Rocking the Tulane ring!

Hometown: Covington, LA
Grade: Senior
Major: Neuroscience, pre-med track
Favorite part of Tulane: 
My favorite thing about Tulane is the nurturing environment here. From professors to faculty members, I have always felt part of a community that feels like family.
Favorite part about working at the Admissions Office:  I absolutely love the opportunity to converse with families and students from around the country. Nothing makes my day more than the chance to talk to others about this wonderful school that I love so much!
Favorite restaurant and meal in New Orleans: Though it isn't necessarily a healthy staple to anyone's diet, the pumpkin spice bread pudding that Superior Seafood offers every fall is to die for!
What I'm involved in on campus:  On campus: Research student at Tulane University School of Medicine in the Neuroscience department, Honor Board Chairman, CPS Advisory board, greek life, Nu Rho Psi honor society, Mortar Boar, GWA (in the past on campus, I have been involved in: Best Buddies Club, Outreach Tulane, Orientation Coordinator, Kappa Alpha Theta Recruitment Director, Kappa Alpha Theta Member Development Committee). Off campus: Public service internship with Touro Infirmary, Staff Volunteer at the Louisiana Youth Seminar
 What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: As a freshman, I wish I would have known about the plethora of great study spots that are right off campus. From Manhattan Jack on Pyrtania to Mojo Coffee on Freret, it's nice to get off campus every once in a while for a good study session!




7. Sean Saunders

Having a blast at Mardi Gras!
Hometown: Blue Bell, PA
Grade: Senior
Major: Double majoring in Legal Studies in Business and Neuroscience
Favorite part of Tulane: How everyone can show up and make the experience completely unique, and completely their own, but that every one of those experiences creates an intense loyalty to Tulane and the Tulane community.

Favorite part about working at the Admissions Office: My favorite part of being an intern is the call, or email, or conversation when I have something in common with the person calling (hometown/interests/etc.) and instantly the person on the other end of the line feels that much more comfortable and enthusiastic. Those conversations really make an impact on both me and whoever asks the question because it reminds me why I felt comfortable 1,200 miles away from home and why students would want to travel that distance too.
Favorite restaurant and meal in New Orleans: The best meal in New Orleans is any meal at Domenica on Baronne St. The pizzas are phenomenal, but I could go to the gravel with their cauliflower in one hand and the squid ink tagliolini in the other. That said, I find it hard to go wrong on any meal in this city.
What I'm involved in on campus:  In addition to interning in the admission office, I am the president of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), a member of the Green Wave Ambassadors (as a tour guide), and over the years I have also been on a variety of club sports and had jobs both on and off-campus.
 What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I had known that once I signed up for certain clubs' email lists, I would still receive emails four years later without ever attending a meeting or going to a practice. Granted, I still highly recommend joining as many clubs and organizations, while still finding time to explore all that New Orleans has to offer in cuisine and activities.



8. Emma Discher

Hanging out at the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans!

Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois
Grade: Junior
Major: Communications and Political Science
Favorite part of Tulane​: My favorite thing about Tulane is hands down the people. I've found that the community here tends to be very well-rounded and caring.
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: I love helping prospective students find their place here. It's so easy to share my love for this school and there's nothing better than when that resonates with a prospective student.
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: This is the most difficult question for me to be asked. My favorite meal is crawfish on The Fly, a local park on the river. My favorite restaurant is Cowbell! They have the most amazing burgers, fries and mac n cheese.
What I'm involved in on campus: Outside of being an intern in the Admission Office and a Green Wave Ambassador, I am also involved in a variety of groups at Tulane and in New Orleans. I am an officer in my sorority, the training coordinator and former News Editor of The Hullabaloo, our student newspaper, and a radio DJ at WTUL, our student radio station. I also work in the computer lab of Tulane's business school and at an art gallery downtown.
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I really wish I'd known just how quickly everything would go. It feels like yesterday I was a freshman living in Sharp and tomorrow I'll be graduating. Take advantage of every opportunity on and off campus!


9. Patrick Wroe


Trying to blend in with the floats at Mardi Gras World!

Hometown: Austin, TX
Grade: Junior
Major: Marketing and Finance
Favorite part of Tulane​: The university helps students get involved in the New Orleans community, whether it be through one of our awesome campus service organizations or interning at a local non-profit. Although we have much more room for the student body's engagement in the city to grow, we have countless dedicated students determined to make a lasting and sustainable difference during their time here. And Cheese Day at our dining hall, where the students are served a plethora of cheese and crackers on a huge table with a fancy white cloth.  So basically two favorite things are service and Cheese Day.
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: My favorite part about being an intern is that I get paid to talk about and market this school to prospective students and parents. I love conversing with families, helping them through the application process and easing their worries. We get a lot of stressed parents! Also, I get paid to hang out with twenty of my friends, which is not bad at all.
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: I've only been to this restaurant once, but the best meal I have ever had was at Upperline Restaurant. My mom's best friend and her family came in town and took me out to dinner there.  It was a great dinner with some great conversation! 
What I'm involved in on campus: Green Wave Ambassadors, AKPsi Business Fraternity, New Student Orientation, Outreach Tulane, Intern at CASA New Orleans, APO Service Fraternity.
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: Go to as many organization meetings as possible your first few weeks here, and then narrow down which organizations you really want to be part of.  Being involved on campus has been by far the most rewarding aspect of Tulane.  I have made my closest friends and gained my most valuable leadership experience through the student organizations I'm part of.



10. Becca Andrasko

Hanging out at Jazzfest!
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Grade: Senior
Major: Double major in International Relations and International Development
Favorite part of Tulane​: I LOVE being around so many engaging, interesting, driven people!  My classes are great because there are so many different opinions that all have a place, and I think that Tulane is pretty unique in hosting such a diverse student body. 
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: I'm really a big fan of all of the other interns!  It's also pretty fun to rep the school that I love, and talking about Tulane every day makes me love Tulane even more.
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: I'm a vegetarian and completely in love with Vietnamese food, especially pho, so I looooove Ba Chi Canteen and Magasin's giant bowls of hot veggie pho.  Check out the (universally delicious) menu at Magasin here: http://www.magasincafe.com/.  I'm really dying to try Upperline restaurant because it's apparently a really cool blend between a quirky museum inside a house and a fine dining restaurant.  Check out the menu here: http://www.upperline.com/index.php/special-dinners/reveillon2010/.    
What I'm involved in on campus: Green Wave Ambassador tour guide, Chi Omega sorority, WTUL Radio Station Jazz DJ, Honors thesis, Dancing Grounds dance studio 
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: Since sophomore year, I've picked some new skill to learn or activity to do each season, just as a way to motivate myself to learn outside of my coursework.  I've done some cool stuff outside of class -- I ran a half marathon after not running at all, tried to start a business (that did ultimately fail), and right now I'm really working on my dancing skills by taking classes at a super cool dance studio.  I just wish I'd started this habit sooner!  I also would recommend that everyone take one class every semester that's just for fun and just for you. 


11. Chris Halbohn

Having fun on a swamp tour!

Hometown: Levittown, NY
Grade: Senior
Major: History and Environmental Studies with a French minor
Favorite part of Tulane​: Tulane's continued commitment to the city of New Orleans and all the benefits students receive from going to school in such a vibrant city!
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: Connecting with students and parents from around the world and sharing why it is I love Tulane so much!
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: I love the Vietnamese cuisine ever-present in this city. I enjoy the Banh-Mi (sandwiches) and pho from Pho Bistreaux on South Carrollton! 
What I'm involved in on campus: Associated Student Body President, Social Media Intern in Tulane's Office of Undergraduate Admission, LA/SPCA dog care volunteer. 
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: There's not a single thing I wish I'd known as a freshman. Every single experience, good or bad, from freshm​an year until now has made me into the Tulanian I am today. 


12. Summer Lawson

Eating her favorite meal at Chill Out Cafe!

Hometown: Forest Knolls, CA (outside San Francisco)
Grade: Sophomore
Major: Anthropology major with a minor in Gender Studies
Favorite part of Tulane​: I have never felt more welcomed by so many friendly people. Everyone is super enthused to be part of the Tulane community and makes an effort to get to know people and be involved in a bunch of different things. That being said, Tulane and New Orleans has so much stuff always going on that it is easy to stay busy and feel part of something unique.
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: Tulane has so many incredible things to offer and I love being able to help students realize that Tulane is the school for them. I also understand that the college application process can be very intimidating and being able to answer students' questions and make the process less stressful in any way is really rewarding.
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Chill Out Café (American breakfast served all day and Thai cuisine), my favorite meal is Pad Thai with a side of bacon. Being on Maple Street, it is a short walk from campus and they also deliver on couchster!
What I'm involved in on campus: Other than being an intern in the Admission Office, I am a Green Wave Ambassador, a swim instructor for Swim 4 Success (a volunteer-based club that offers swim lessons to local children of low income families), play for the Ultimate Frisbee Club team, am a member of SURJ (Students United for Reproductive Justice) and am a sister of the Delta Chapter of Phi Mu. I am also a resident of Howard Tilton Memorial Library during finals :)
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I took people more seriously when they said you can wear a sundress everyday of winter, not bringing all my jackets and sweaters would have saved me a lot of room!


13. Adam Kline

With the 22nd intern, Kipper!

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Grade: Junior
Major: Public health minor, Spanish, pre-med
Favorite part of Tulane​: Potentially having something to do immediately as I get out of class, nights I don't have work, in the morning, afternoon, every other time of day, etc
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: Helping people find things to do around the city.
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Willy Mae's Scotch House fried chicken with fried okra greens side
What I'm involved in on campus: Campus: service dog training, work study job tutoring elementary schoolers, help oversee community service council, international society, ESL conversation partner program, zeta psi fraternity. Off campus: see music, eat food, explore. 
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: Go to as many festivals as possible. It seems like you have a while but you only have 4 chances for each one. 

14. Piper Browne

Belting out some Beyonce at a Green Envy acapella concert!
Hometown: Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
Grade: Senior
Major: Sociology, minors in Music and French
Favorite part of Tulane​: 1) The fact that it's in New Orleans...duh. 2) The size! Small enough where I wave to people all over as I walk through campus and big enough where I meet new people every day.
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: Helping prospective/admitted students make the best decision of their lives. 
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Wow, this is tough. Instead of answering this impossible question, I will say that I am pretty obsessed with Jimmy Johns and am currently in a challenge with myself to try every sandwich. 
What I'm involved in on campus: Green Envy A Cappella (president), Green Wave Ambassadors (president), Admission Intern, Orientation Team Leader, student worker for Tulane Athletics Fund, Singer in a funk band CakeWalk, Pi Beta Phi sorority
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: All of the crazy cool classes that are offered so I could have taken more!


15. Justin Picard

Heading out to a concert downtown!

Hometown: Ridgefield, CT
Grade: Junior
Major: Communication, English (Creative Writing concentration)
Favorite part of Tulane​: My favorite thing about Tulane is the supportive community both in and out of the classroom. I also love the wide expanses of green space that foster sport and picnics alike.
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: I find it extraordinarily exciting to work in such a diverse workplace - I'm constantly meeting people of all ages and nationalities. 
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Sunday brunch at Dante's Kitchen is incredible, I always order the steak and eggs.
What I'm involved in on campus: I'm involved in: Tulane University Campus Programming (Concerts and Recreation Committees); Greek Life; Green Bull Marketing Club; and I'm a: Journalist at MySpiltMilk.com; Undergraduate Admission Social Media Intern; Secretary in the Tulane English Department; DJ for GrandLove.
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I'd known that greek life is nothing to be afraid of, and that meeting people through a fraternity is just as valuable as any other club or organization.

16. Taylor Feingold

Practicing acrobatic skills on one of the oak trees on campus!

Hometown: Dix Hills, NY
Grade: Junior
Major: Psychology and Digital Media Production
Favorite part of Tulane​: Being a part of the New Orleans community through our service learning program
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: Meeting new people and making new friends every day!!
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Co. - Hickory Bacon Cheeseburger
What I'm involved in on campus: On campus I'm involved in Greek Life, Tulane Flag Football Intramural Scorekeeping, Newcomb Scholars, Upward Bound, and I'm also the circus freak of Tulane - you might find me hanging upside down on my aerial silks on the academic quad!
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I knew that I'd never want to leave!! I also wish that I knew that umbrellas are essential. I showed up without one - bad move.

17. Emma Culotta

A successful Mardi Gras!

Hometown: Houston, TX
Grade: Senior
Major: Finance major, French minor
Favorite part of Tulane​: My favorite thing about Tulane is that I really feel at home when I'm here. The student body is made up of so many cool and friendly people that I'm constantly making new friends, even as a senior! 
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: My favorite thing about being an intern is bonding with my coworkers over potluck dinners and tubing trips!
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Umm...I was going to say a fancy restaurant like Bayona or Cochon, but who am I kidding? Dat Dog - white trash fries + Guinness Dog w/ chili and cheese. Sometimes I spice it up with Alligator Sausage.
What I'm involved in on campus: Tulane Admission Intern, Green Wave Ambassador, Women's Ultimate Frisbee, Kappa Alpha Theta, Teaching Assistant, Mortar Board Honor Society
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I had known what and where Tipitina's was my freshman year...Soooo many good concerts -- look it up!!! And also that everybody who is undecided should take macroeconomics, microeconomics, and psychology freshman year because they are 1) very interesting 2) very useful and 3) count as pre-requisites if you decide to switch to the business school your sophomore year (like I did)!


18. Maddie Kruger

Celebrating the end of a tough marathon in City Park!

Hometown: Rockville, MD
Grade: Senior
Major: Marketing
Favorite part of Tulane​: One of my favorite things about Tulane is how flexible the academic programs are. I am in the business school, but I have taken classes in digital art, dance, and theater. I have also taken courses in creative writing, third world cinema, and Roman history. I am very lucky that Tulane has encouraged me to grow and learn about topics outside of my major that I am passionate about. 
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: My favorite thing about being an intern is having the opportunity to share my love for Tulane with the perspective students. Plus, the other interns are a lot of fun to be around-- there is never a dull moment in the office. ​
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Dat Dog is my all time favorite restaurant in this country. I always get the same thing when I go and I am never disappointed: An alligator sausage, tomatoes, onions, guacamole, and creole mustard. 
What I'm involved in on campus:  I am the VP of Special Events for the Green Wave Ambassadors (Tulane's tour guide association), Greek life, Women in Business, and I am a student worker in the Business School's Advising Office
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: I wish I knew to look at the festival schedule. As a freshman, I was completely clueless as to what was going on outside of the Tulane campus. It took me almost an entire semester to realize just how much New Orleans had to offer. As a senior, I go off campus all the time to explore and take in the city. I recommend immersing yourself in New Orleans the moment you get here--you won't regret it. 

19. Brooke Farrenkopf


Happy at Mardi Gras!

Hometown: Lake Forest, CA 
Grade: Senior
Major: Public Health; Minor: Psychology (I'm premed, too!) 
Favorite thing about Tulane​: Tulane is just so fun!  There is always something super exciting to do, and everyone here is always willing to go on an adventure. Everyone is so friendly is fun…it's impossible to be bored here!
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: I love that I get to help introduce people to my favorite city! I'm always excited to give a restaurant recommendation or encourage a family to go to one of New Orleans' fun festivals! 
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: Gluten free pesto turkey sandwich from Satsuma!!  And you can't notttt get the most delicious chocolate cookie!  This lovely meal is best enjoyed at brunch on a beautiful, sunny Saturday or Sunday.  (Oh now I'm hungry!!) 
What I'm involved in on campus: President of Public Health USG, USG Senator, Kappa Alpha Theta leadership positions, I worked for the Louisiana Public Health Institute and the New Orleans Faith Health Alliance clinic, public health grad school lab research, Peer Health Educator at theWELL (but I'm not anymore!) 
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: Someone told me to never go to the same restaurant twice until I've found five new restaurants.  It was the best way to get to know New Orleans and I made a lot of new friends looking for new yummy places to eat! 

20. Jen Millman

Showing Tulane pride at a football game!

Hometown: Dirty Jerz (Harrington Park in Bergen County for anyone who knows) 
Grade: Senior
Major: Finance
Favorite thing about Tulane​: It's Camp Tulane - everything about it is perfect...and its in the best city in the country!
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: Getting to chat with al the families and helping them love Tulane as much as I do.
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: I think this is a trick question because how could I have just one favorite?! Breakfast: Eggs Apolline with Cinnamon Bacon from Apoline on Magazine. Lunch: roasted cauliflower and every pizza at Domenica (or Pizza Domenica). Dinner: Lobster dumplings and scalibut at GW Fins. Dessert: Black and Gold ice cream from Creole Creamery. And just so you know, I was a picky eater before I came to Tulane!
What I'm involved in on campus: Green Wave Ambassadors, Greek life, and I studied abroad in Madrid.
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: How fast these four years would fly by!

21. Nora Colman 

Dancing with the St. Charles streetcar band!
Hometown: Washington, DC
Grade: Senior
Major: History and Spanish double major
Favorite thing about Tulane​: Tulane has the perfect balance - you get the benefits of the city while living in a residential area and across the street from beautiful Audubon park, and the student population is big enough that you always know people wherever you are but isn't so big that you can't feel comfortable. I went abroad in the fall of my Junior year and really missed Tulane!
Favorite thing about working at the Admission Office: I love hearing the excitement in perspective students' voices when they first come to Tulane and realize that it is their top choice. Their excitement reminds me to be thankful for everything Tulane has given me! Giving meal recommendations is also a lot of fun.
Favorite restaurant or meal in New Orleans: I have to break this down by meals...Breakfast: Green breakfast sandwich from Satsuma, Lunch: Roasted cauliflower and the wild mushroom pizza from Domenica, Dinner: Anything at GW Fins. Dessert would probably be a brownie sundae from Louisiana Pizza Kitchen or anything at Creole Creamery.
What I'm involved in on campus: Green Wave Ambassadors, admissions intern, religious life, Greek life, and studied abroad in Granada, Spain.
What I wish I'd known coming into Tulane: First of all, invest in good rain boots and a good raincoat - it will be worth it! Second of all, take advantage of every opportunity that you can and go to every event that offers free t-shirts and/or food.

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If you have any questions and would like to contact us, you can do so by calling 504-865-5731, emailing us at interns@tulane.edu, or chatting with us at http://admission.tulane.edu/contact/chat/.

Good luck in the admission process and Roll Wave!


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Studying Abroad in Cuba - More from Jacob!

Studying Abroad in Cuba - More from Jacob!







Hey all,

I am still safe and sound in Cuba!  I realized that in exactly two months from today, I will be boarding a plane back to the US, so I decided to celebrate by promising to speak only Spanish from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for the rest of the trip.  This week was definitely one of the busier weeks for me.  For the Tulane class, we had to conduct interviews with Cuban citizens about their opinions and perceptions of Cuba, the revolution, their lives today, and anything else they wanted to talk about.  I learned an incredible amount about popular opinion in Cuba, scribed some powerful and eloquent quotes, and had a great time doing so.  Some of my favorites:
“Freedom is in your head”  “We have to live through it, we have to suffer through it”
“Perhaps, I have faith in what is possible”(In relation to the future of the Revolution)
            On Monday, I went to a used clothing store to find some new Cuban clothes.  The building did not have a sign outside, just an open door and a constant stream of people coming and going.  The inside was hot and packed wall to wall with people and clothing racks.  I could barely move around when we went inside, and I was pouring sweat the whole time.  The other people in the shop were not wasting any time, moving systematically from rack to rack, they went through hundreds of articles of clothing in the time it took me to look at one bin.  I ended up getting a questionable green polo, and some shorts that turned the water black when I got home and washed them.
            Tulane sent their president of the office of study abroad to Cuba for the week, so we’ve spent a good amount of time with the OSA president Scott Pentzer.  It turns out that he was born in Sacramento and grew up in Davis! So we had plenty to talk about, it turns out we went to the same elementary school.  Small world, huh?
            The Tulane group had TWO birthdays last week (three total in the house), back to back, so we had a great time celebrating the end of their first score, they both are expecting this set of twenty years to be even better.  Our director Annie threw a party for them on Wednesday, and we had a great time eating cake and dancing salsa until late into the night.  For presents, I went out and bought them each one box (the size/design of a milk carton) of the cheapest rum you can buy, called Planchao, which I lovingly wrapped with pink ribbon and presented to them with a classy birthday card (stick note). It was basically a weeklong birthday bash, and everyone survived!  (Except my pride when I accidentally ordered a martini glass FULL of olives – nothing else- when we were out at a bar.  It was quite the misunderstanding, at least they were tasty!)
            This week was filled with me being “sporty”.  On Tuesday, we found some public basketball courts that rented out basketballs.  We played three or four games, and my team did not win a single game, it was definitely a fluke.  The following day, a few of the neighborhood kids invited me to play baseball with them.  They started with a jagged rock and a thick branch, but eventually decided to get their plastic ball, which made things a little safer.  The kids live few houses down and are absolutely adorable.  They are 6, 8, and 9, two brothers and their female cousin.  They eventually got bored with the game so I started picking them up and spinning them in the air, which they loved, and made me realize how exhausting it is to work with kids.  After less than an hour, I was out of gas, and decided to go read.
            I had a little extra time this weekend and decided to read the Communist Manifesto.  It was really nice just to read something for pleasure again.  Even here I still find that most of the reading that I do is for class or research.  I experienced an incredible example of the conflict between haves and have-nots on Friday evening.  Yo-Yo Ma was performing at a venue downtown, and we went down there to see if we could buy some tickets at the gate.  It turns out they had been sold out for two weeks and they were not interested in letting us in.  This concert was part of a music festival in honor of Leo Brower, who believes that everyone should be able to gain entrance into a show who wants to attend.  After waiting outside, in the rain, for two hours the forty or so people gathered at the pad-locked gate started protesting and chanting,  “We want to enter, we want to enter” and “Le-O, Le-O”. It was a really cool thing to be a part of, aside from the being soaking wet part.  So now we wait … The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains.  Patience is most definitely a virtue, they opened up the gates and we were seated during intermission, right before Yo-Yo Ma went on to perform!
 On Saturday night, I went with a friend to a Foam Party put on by a local club, La Tropical.  I must have misunderstood part of the flier, because the first hour or so of the party was actually a car show, which was really confusing.  We got to the party to see hundreds of Cubans gathered in a circle to watch these beat up old cars do donuts and spit fire out of their exhaust pipes.  The only person in the competition with a relatively new car had a weird little Toyota compact car, which he used to do donuts and spin out.  After he got bored with that, he popped the car into reverse, did donuts in REVERSE and kicked open his door, turned on the interior lights, and stood up/out of his car whilst doing reverse donuts.  It was definitely a unique experience.  
Once the car show ended, they called everyone down to the dance floor and started playing music.   We went down, and were very confused by the serious lack of foam and bubbly goodness.  Then, I turned around to see a huge blue, oddly phallic, FOAM CANNON! When the beat dropped, they started took their big blue blaster covered every single person from head to toe in foam.  It got to the point where I could no longer see nor breathe, and I decided to take a little break.  American music is incredibly popular in Cuba, and so we expected the usual songs such as Wiggle, but they threw some curveballs with a dubstep/house remix of We Will Rock You, and decided to turn to Bob Marley when they needed a slow jam.  We danced, slipped, and people watched until 3 AM, it was phenomenal!
Wow, this update is getting long, so just one more thing:  I went on a cemetery tour to the Columbus on Sunday, the third largest necropolis in the world!  Almost exclusively above ground, the architecture and layout were incredible.  I took a lot of great pictures, but I am having a hard time attaching photos as of late.  It was an intense emotional experience.  I was able to reflect on death, and the role of death plays in communities and families.  We ended up getting lost in the stone forest of temples, urns, columns, and angels for hours.  We eventually found our way out of the maze of wilted flowers, popped balloons, rusted locks, naked baby statues, silent butterflies, and stained glass just in time for dinner.  I love and miss you all!  
Besos,
Jacobo





Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Studying Abroad in Europe On the Cheap - Christopher Halbohn


Studying Abroad In Europe On the Cheap

Christopher Halbohn

With fellow intern Sean Saxon in Paris!

            Studying abroad is every student’s chance to experience life in another nation, under the guise of “studying.” If you’re studying abroad, you’ve managed to convince university administrators, your parents, and your friends that going abroad is pertinent to mastering the major you’ve been pursuing.  You’re also going to have the chance to do this at the most ripe of ages! Kudos.

            Now that the hard part is over, you’re set to leave the United States (possibly for the first time) and make a leap of faith into the unknown. Many locales will allow the opportunity for travel, giving you the chance to not only learn the culture of the place where you’ll be living, but also to briefly encounter the cultures of other nations near it. Traveling to these places can often be the most taxing, but most rewarding part of the abroad experience.  The information that follows will allow you the opportunity to learn how to make the most of your time overseas, without completely robbing you of every penny you’ve ever earned. Here are just a few tips to minimize costs when traveling and living abroad:

1) Use the Student ID that the university you are attending issues you.
           
This card will generally allow you free entry to many museums, exhibits, and other installations throughout the city you’re in and the cities to which you will be traveling. This rule will prove especially true in Europe, a continent that acts very much like one single nation. A student studying in Paris, but traveling in Amsterdam with a student ID in hand from his/her host university, will be able to access the Van Gogh Museum and many other attractions, free of charge or for a reduced admission fee. Various student-led travel companies will also accept these cards as proof that you are indeed a student, giving you access to reduced-rate tours.



2) Find an “off-the-books” job.
           
This recommendation is a lot less sketchy and a lot easier than it sounds. You’ll find that whilst studying abroad, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for being a native English speaker. Knowing English is a highly marketable skill that families will pay you handsomely for because they want their children to grow up being able to speak English fluently. Families often seek out English-speaking students to babysit their children and speak to them solely in English. That sounds like an easy way to make some extra cash if you ask me! Other similar jobs include tutoring, if that is more your speed.



3) Ask locals how they get around and explore cheaper travel options.

            Before you leave, everyone and their mother will advise you that traveling by train is the cheapest option. Do not listen to this. Though traveling by high-speed rail is incredibly advanced and efficient in Europe, it is not always the most economical. Explore options like Megabus,  a company that also operates within the United States, and budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet. These companies have incredibly low rates and offer a “no-frills” travel experience, but they will charge for things like checked bags, so pack lightly.  If you are into car travel, check out BlahBlahCar, a carpooling site that vets its drivers beforehand (as to make sure they aren’t criminals or psychopaths). If, after all that searching, you decide that train is still your preferred method of transportation, then look into EuroStar for European travel in general, or the SNCF, if you’re in France.






4) If you have a kitchen, take advantage of that.
           
            This is a great way to explore the local recipes and impress your family when you’re arrived back home stateside. Cooking is also a great way to make friends, so invite the people you’ve met over for a dinner party (but make sure there’s a good bottle of wine to pair with). Even though you are in Europe, you are on a budget—eating out all the time will quickly drain you of your allowance and disallow you from experiencing other great moments like traveling and going out in your respective cities.


5) Make a budget for yourself.

            For a lot of you, like myself, you will be going abroad with a sum of money you’ve saved for months, or even years. Budgeting this allotment will be pertinent in making sure you have enough funds to explore everything that Europe has to offer. When you arrive and feel like you understand the economics and purchasing abilities of the places in which you are, set aside money for different things: shopping, eating, traveling, etc. Once you have this established, stick to it, but also account for some emergencies. Maybe you’ll find a fabulous leather jacket in Paris that is just outside your price range—take money from other areas of your budget, but be cognizant that you’ve done this. Further, you may want to buy your whole family souvenirs, but trust me they don’t need or want everything you see.





With these tips, go forth and conquer. Make the most of your time and take time to talk to everyone you meet. You are about to have the time of your life! Don’t forget to take pictures!


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Study Abroad Blog- Jacob in Cuba

Hey all, Jacob in Cuba here!  I am currently writing in an empty apartment, because all of the other Tulane guys are away for the weekend for their Biodiversity class field trip.  It is safe to say I have been enjoying my well-deserved naked time in this oddly quiet flat.

This Sunday we took a group excursion to la Playa Girón (the Bay of Pigs).  The drive was cramped and hot, we fit 14 people in a vehicle not much bigger than a Honda Odyssey.   We spent a few hours in the Bay of Pigs museum, where I read the phase “gobierno yanqui” (Yankee Government) more times than I could count.  Also each sign in the museum had a description in Spanish, and below that a translation in English.  I found that the English translations were often lacking harsh adjectives used in the Spanish versions, including allegations of blackmail that were nowhere to be seen in the English version.  The hostility and anti-American sentiment in the exhibit were palpable and thought provoking.  On a lighter note, the only other city displayed on a US map found in the exhibit was New Orleans!!  It has been crazy how often I find myself comparing Havana and New Orleans: the architecture, the humidity and heat, the kindness of the citizens, and the slower pace of life all remind me of being back at school.


After the exhibit, we all piled in the van and drove to where we could SCUBA DIVE!! While it normally costs hundreds of dollars and requires a lengthy process of training/certification in the states, scuba diving in Cuba costs 35 dollars for an hour and requires approximately ten minutes of training.  I put on my assigned wetsuit, vest, flippers, goggles, weight belt and air tank and was ready to go.  Like a drunken penguin, I waddled over to the water and slowly submerged myself into the sea.  Once we finally set off, I was immediately blown away by what I was experiencing.  Gliding underwater next to schools of brilliantly colored fish, so close that I could reach out and touch them.  There were hundreds, maybe thousands of fish of all different colors and sizes!  Incredible colonies of coral reef, sensitive and cautious neon-colored sea anemones, barely visible bottom-dwellers, soft white sand, and water clear enough to take it all in.  Not swimming among them as an intruder but more as an equal, I gently flexed my legs to propel myself forward, letting the subtle movements of the flippers propel me though this astonishing underwater paradise.  I can officially check scuba dive off the bucket list!

I felt very cultured the past few days because I took part in a walking tour of Old Havana and went to two separate art exhibits in the span of 36 hours.  The first gallery, La Fabrica, was a once successful production plant and warehouse, now converted into an art exhibit / nightclub.  The ground floor has quotes in Spanish from famous people around the world printed on the walls, and a live band playing at full volume. The next two stories house a series of progressive art installations and videos, one of my favorite works was a portrait done exclusively with Silly Bandz.  The other venue, Casa Biblioteca, was a converted mansion that now houses some art that is vague and amorphous, while at the same time being overtly sexual.  I picked a few of the more obvious sexual ones for your viewing pleasure.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Nora in Nola: A Guide to Maple Street

Nora in Nola

Maple Street

For my blogs, I decided to write about what I know best: food and shopping, both of which I take very seriously. I’ll start off with Maple street, a popular destination for students because of its proximity to campus and great variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques and coffee shops. 
Only a 5 minute walk from the LBC! 

Here are a few of my favorite destinations:SATSUMA: 7901 Maple, open daily 7 am-5 pm

SATSUMA: 7901 Maple, open daily 7 am-5 pm
http://satsumacafe.com/




Satsuma is one of the healthiest restaurants in New Orleans. Satsuma serves breakfast and lunch, and has a popular juice bar. I’ve been there way too many times for brunch – it always hits the spot! It’s not only a great place to go with friends on the weekends (be prepared to wait a few minutes, it gets packed!) but it’s also a great place to go to during the week to grab a juice/coffee and study. Another fun fact: many celebs stop by! It’s also great for people with allergies, as they offer freshly made gluten free bread. Their juices include apple, carrot, orange, grapefruit, beet, fennel, kale, cucumber, celery, lemon, ginger, spinach, and parsley – all fresh squeezed and organic! Here are my favorite things to order:

Bagel plate (see above picture) - $6.50, with cucumbers, tomatos, capers, red onion, sprouts and cream cheese (lox is an additional $3.50)

Open face breakfast sandwich - $6, one egg, baby arugula, tomato, avocado mash, and swiss on choice of toast, bagel or croissant

Mediterranean quinoa salad – (see above picture), chickpeas, spinach, cherry tomatoes, feta, olices, red onion, fresh herbs, lemon vinaigrette, and hummus on a piece of bread

Roasted pear and brie melt - $8.50, caramelized onions, walnut spread, balsamic glaze on sourdough or wheat bread

Sweet tart - $5.50 for a small/$7 for a large, apple, lemon, cucumber, orange and fennel juices


Satsuma is inexpensive, healthy and always makes me quite happy!


SWAP BOUTIQUE: 7716 Maple st.
www.swapboutique.com

Swap is a consignment boutique filled with “designer and couture clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry”. I always go there before a big event, interview or party to check out their great selection. I’ve also gone and consigned some of my clothing before, which is an easy way to make money! They are a little picky (they prefer designer and nicer brands), but are very easy to consign with (which requires an appointment). They also have great sales, so definitely go check it out!

WAFFLES ON MAPLE – 7712 Maple st.


Waffles on Maple is brand new, just opened last semester. However, it has skyrocketed in popularity among Tulane students! The atmosphere is very chill and the outside of the building actually looks like a waffle (see top right). I just went there this past weekend for the first time and have already planned out my next visit. They have sweet and savory waffles, as well as pizza, smoothies, crepes and omelets. Here’s what my friends and I got:

Banana Foster (top left) - $8.50, bananas in hot rum sauce, sprinkled with a dash of cinnamon and a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Sunny in Holland (bottom left) - $7.99, two fried eggs with Hollandaise, basically Eggs Benedict on top of a waffle

Better than Feta (not pictured) - $7.99, marinated sun dried tomatoes, ricotta, feta and fresh basil

Spinach and Artichoke (bottom right) - $8.99, creamy spinach and artichoke with melted mozzarella cheese

What’s nice about these waffles is that although they’re big, they’re not so large that you feel terribly bloated afterwards. I got a savory waffle this time, but am already planning on getting a sweet one next – specifically, Monkey madness, fresh bananas topped with whipped crème, striped with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with sliced almonds. Who wants to join??

GAE-TANA’S – 7732 Maple st.
http://www.gaetanas.com/


Gae-Tana’s is by far my favorite boutique in New Orleans. There’s only one, but it is filled with gems! My favorite earrings, bracelet and necklace are all from Gae-Tana’s. It’s relatively inexpensive, and the jewelry is so cute! Definitely check it out if you need to buy someone a gift (or even just want to treat yourself). They also sell “Nola” rings, bracelets and necklaces that many Tulane students wear, see below:


Well, there you have it – a guide to Maple Street! There are tons of other restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, etc, but use this as a jumping off point. You really could spend an entire weekend on Maple sampling all of the food and shopping. Where should my next neighborhood guide be? Hmm…off to explore, eat and shop!