Just my cup of T: a bit of Husky, Bouve and Boston

5 years ago I made the best decision of my life - to leave my small town and move to the city. And...

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:59:09 -0400

5 years ago I made the best decision of my life - to leave my small town and move to the city. And well, the rest is history. The experiences I’ve had, the lessons and knowledge I’ve gained and the mistakes I’ve made have helped me become the woman I am today, which will only be perfected in the years to come. I’m so lucky to have made some of the truest and kindest friends, who’ve become nothing short of family. And I’m most lucky to have two of the most loving and selfless parents, whose support is everlasting. It’s a bittersweet ending to an amazing chapter, and I’m excited for what lies ahead. Thank you to everyone whose been a part of this ride. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY 2013 HUSKIES! And GOOD LUCK!

This weekend was WONDERFUL. Absolutely gorgeous weather and so...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:02:32 -0400

This weekend was WONDERFUL. Absolutely gorgeous weather and so many fun times! I attended a fun outdoor spring workout event on the greenway in the North End on Saturday morning, where all proceeds went to the One Fund for Boston Marathon victims. We did yoga, Zumba and an abs boot camp! It was killer. I visited the marathon memorial on the way home and it was absolutely breathtaking and beautiful to see all of the support and love. Yesterday, due to the nice weather, my friends and I spent the day on the Esplanade, preparing ourselves for Senior Week festivities! And today I was honored with the Bouve Service Medal! So absolutely touched to have received such an award! So many more fun festivities to come this week- I will keep y’all updated :)

Last night I was honored to have been awarded the “Outstanding...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:31:41 -0400

Last night I was honored to have been awarded the “Outstanding Cooperative Education Award” as a result of my positive experiences in the coop program. I am so incredibly proud and can’t explain to you all enough what coop at northeastern meant for me. It’s the reason I’m going into physical therapy and why I am the person I am today. So excited!! BIG thank you to my wonderful coop advisor, and friend, Dierdre, who honestly made this all possible. She is the BEST :)

Friday was probably the most tense day I have ever experienced....

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 06:29:45 -0400

Friday was probably the most tense day I have ever experienced. The entire city of Boston, shut down, quiet, and nervous. But the celebrations that broke out, and that followed for the rest of the weekend, just showed how strong of a city we really are! Here’s a quick shot from one of the celebrations that broke out near my apartment. Over 200 people, wearing red white and blue, and singing songs about America. It was such a heartwarming sight to see.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Can you tell me how your found the first year at Bouve academically. I am concerned that all the core classes at once without an elective will be a real slog. Were the public health classes interesting. What was the class size for those? Did you mind waiting to take electives until your junior year? I have other interests outside of the sciences so I am worrying about this. I am an accepted incoming freshman.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:38:56 -0400

Congrats on Northeastern!!

The first year is definitely a difficult transition but absolutely doable. The professors are extremely aware of the transition, and help in every way possible to make your course load manageable. The big science classes are lecture style and usually about 100-150 students. The health science courses are smaller, usually 40-50. You also have an intro to college class which helps teach you how to tackle your course load and excel during your first year.

As far as electives, there is plenty of room for electives as early as your sophomore year. I was able to fit in a minor as well as prerequisites for grad school and take classes I was interested in. So don’t worry about elective space because you have plenty of it!!

Freshman year is definitely the best and the easiest, so you have nothing to worry about!! It’s tough in the beginning but everyone gets through it and it helps set the pace for the rest of your years!

Let me know if I can help you in any other way!!

I got into NEU for the 6 year pharmacy program, but I'm worried about how much it'll cost during the fifth and sixth year. Is there a lot of aid for those years and do you have any idea how much it could cost?

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:33:23 -0400

Hello!

Congrats on Northeastern and the pharmacy program! Unfortunately I am not to familiar with the cost of the program during the 5th and 6th years but I do know that financial aid will still cover you during those years. I would get in contact with someone at the Office of Student Services if you would like more specific information- here is the email to the administrative assistant in that office of Bouve. K.sumner@neu.edu. She should be able to direct you!

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!

Monday.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:21:50 -0400

It’s 4:15 in the morning, and I can’t sleep.

I was there. RIGHT where it happened. Mile 26.

Before I came to Boston, Marathon Monday was something I had never even heard of. I had no idea of its significance and was pleasantly surprised my freshman year, 5 years ago, to have it off. It was only in the last few years that I really realized how it wasn’t just another holiday in Boston, it was a day so significant, that the ENTIRE city shut down.

As of last year, I was lucky enough to land a great co-op at a physical therapy clinic where not only my boss ran the marathon, but tons of patients. In the heat of that ridiculous marathon Monday, I, along with my coworker, waited and watched as thousands of hopefuls saw the final stretch; the final .2 to their 26. Waiting there brought about a stream of emotions I never even imagined. I was overcome with joy, as well as tears, as I watched runners struggle through their final minutes. Old people, young people, people whose families jumped in at the last second to help them cross the finish line, young college kids, soldiers, people with prosthetic legs, people in wheelchairs— it was all SO inspiring.

This year brought about an increased excitement. Excited to bring my friends who had never witnessed the beauty that is the marathon. A day that brings the entire city together; a day that makes me now feel at home. With the stresses of the end of our undergraduate year, we pushed them aside, got ready and walked the quick 10 minutes to Boylston to watch the marathoners. The finish line is the most inspiring and heartwarming place to be at this time, but something stopped me. Everyone asked to go to the finish line, but for some reason I felt the need to tell them that we should just wait at mile 26. My reasoning was that all the families were going to be waiting at the 26.2— little did I know that this was a blessing in disguise.

We found a great spot, right outside of Hynes Convention center, and decided to wait there. Thanks to the BAA and technology, I was able to track people I knew, and waited eagerly to cheer them on when they made that final turn onto Boylston. But then it happened. A huge blast of smoke, right at the finish line. It seemed like a firework at first. But then the second blast came- a huge cloud of smoke and then fire. I, along with everyone around me, froze. And then ran. It was like you see in all those action, end of the world films. But I can’t even explain what was going through my head other than utter fear and the need to get as far away as possible. We grabbed hands, in silence, and ran. We ran back to campus, and went to our local restaurant/bar to catch the news and find out what the blasts were. I wanted to believe it was a mistake; wanted to believe that it was an electrical fire, or construction or ANYTHING except a bomb. But the coincidence and the proximity to the finish line made me feel otherwise.

The next few hours are a blur. Watching the same 2 blasts on TV. Watching marathoners that we remember passing us, fall to the ground. Watching as volunteers, cops, and medical professionals, ran TOWARD the blast. Toward the victims. Something that didn’t even cross my mind.

Still in shock and disbelief, I was happy to be able to get in touch with my parents before news even hit of the bombings, and let them know I was okay. Hearing the sound of my mother’s voice, and getting texts from my dad- I had never been so grateful. The images and reports on TV were numbing. I was RIGHT there. This was a street that I walked on multiple times a week.

My last 5 years in Boston have been nothing short of amazing. I’ve grown into the adult I am today, and would not trade my experiences and this city life for ANYTHING. As much as my small little Connecticut town is always HOME, Boston is my other home. My home away from home. The place I give all the credit to. And as I watched, over and over again, all I could think about was how upset I was that someone would mess with my home. A place so sacred. A city so strong and hopeful. A day so respected and anticipated by all.

The number of phone calls, texts, emails, facebook messages that I received. The number of phone calls my family received. Unreal. I was so numb, but so truly touched by the amount of people that reached out to make sure I was okay. People I had lost touch with. People I didn’t even know that knew I lived in Boston. And I was so thankful to be able to tell them that I was okay.

I’m still in shock. I’m scared. I’m sad. I’m discouraged.

As happy as I am to be okay, I almost wish it was me suffering, as opposed to the innocent runners, families and bystanders. I’m upset at myself, as a future medical professional, that the only thing I could think to do at the time was run as far away as I could, as hundreds of people could have used an extra hand. I’m sad for the people who were just a mile away, and those who were still running, who were forced to stop, with no answers. I’m scared and discouraged in our society and the world we live in today; that we have to be on such high alert for events as inspiring and near and dear to my heart as a marathon. THE marathon.

But more than anything? I’m proud. Proud to be from Boston. Proud to have been there to watch the marathon. Proud of the selfless work my fellow citizens and medical professionals did and are doing to help. We may be a city, but its times like these that make it feel like a small neighborhood. We are strong. We are resilient. And we’ll be okay. As much as I wanted to go back to Connecticut and be with my family, I was so happy to be here. And to be with my Boston family- who, without words, feel the same way about our city.

Yesterday was hard. I won’t sugarcoat it. I barely slept, and woke up just being glad to see the sun shining and happy to see a new day. As beautiful of a day as it was, which brings every student out of hiding, there was an uncomfortable silence that hung around campus. We all wanted to move on, but the feelings were just too fresh to push aside.

This is a time where I should be sad and excited about the culmination of my undergraduate career. But instead, I’m just numb. I want so badly to help those that were affected by this tragedy. I want to go to the hospital and visit. I want to do ANYTHING.

I hate that this time in my life is tainted. I hate that Boston’s most prestigious event is tainted. I hate that people’s perception of Boston is tainted.

But regardless. I love it here, even more than I did 2 days ago, and so glad to be spending my next few years here. I’m glad that everyone I know is safe, and so glad to be able to write this post. First, the Newtown shootings, 20 minutes from my home, and now this. In front of my eyes.

To all of you reading this. Hug your loved ones. Tell the people you love how you feel. And as cliche as it is, treat everyday like its last.

As I head to my last day of classes as an undergrad, I couldn’t be more proud to have spent the last 5 years in this city. So blessed to be okay after seeing my life literally flash before my eyes- so thankful that I am going to officially finish my undergraduate career and graduate from college. So lucky, so happy, so sad. But SO proud to be a Husky and a Boston resident <3

Have a great day everyone!

Just spent my morning talking to all the incoming health science freshman! What a blast! I love...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:56:55 -0400

Just spent my morning talking to all the incoming health science freshman! What a blast! I love repping our school :) and what a beautiful day to be here!!

Just found this AWESOME website about things to do and places to eat for cheap in Boston! They also...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:37:15 -0400

Just found this AWESOME website about things to do and places to eat for cheap in Boston! They also have a list of places that give discounts with your college ID!

Check it out: www.bostononbudget.com

Gave my final presentation for Capstone today! Can’t believe it’s over! So relieved and...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:24:57 -0400

Gave my final presentation for Capstone today! Can’t believe it’s over! So relieved and proud of not only the HPV awareness program that my group and I created and implemented, but of all of our accomplishments over the past 5 years!

Hi! I got accepted into the nursing program and I have a friend who got accepted into the Physical Therapy program aswell as Emory but for a biology major with a pre-physical therapy track. Can you tell me anything about the nursing program? Also, can you tell me about the physical therapy program for her. And whats your opinion about the biology major thing?

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:04:55 -0400

Hey!

Congrats to you and your friend!

I don’t know much about the nursing program but I do know that it is a very successful program, with clinicals built in every semester to give you a well-rounded experience working in different settings as well as very diverse coops. Is there anything in particular that you would like to know?

As far as PT- the difference between going here and going to Emory on a pre-PT track is that here your friend would be able to get her bachelors and doctorate in 6 years. It’s an accelerated program, so students in the program do not need to apply to a separate graduate program, instead they start in the program immediately. Speaking from experience, since I decided too late that I wanted to go into PT, it’s a much better idea to just do the accelerated program if your friend is sure about PT. She will get to bypass the application and GRE process required to apply for PT school, which believe me, was difficult! Also, PT school is getting harder and harder to get into, that if she’s already in a program, she might as well stick with it. If she realizes later that PT is not for her, then it’s extremely easy to switch out, as oppose to applying into a PT program post undergraduate years.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask me any additional questions!!

Good luck!!

Hope everyone had a great Easter! How old is too old to still be...

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:47:06 -0400

Hope everyone had a great Easter! How old is too old to still be getting an Easter basket?!

Answer: never :)

Hi, Taarika! I'm going to be a freshman this fall at northeastern and I am super excited to begin my journey. I am from out of state and I was wondering if it is common for northeastern students to have a part time job given that the system is so centered around co-ops and internships. Thanks for your blog!

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:08:18 -0400

Hey!!

Congrats on Northeastern! I’m so excited for you!

As far as jobs go, it’s kind of half and half. Most students end up working after they complete their first coop because those employers will usually ask students to work part time after the 6 months. However, tons of students get jobs on campus either via work study or through Northeastern’s employment website that is full of jobs!

It’s mostly up to you as a student if you are able to balance work and schoolwork!

Good luck and let me know of you have any other questions!

Just got an email about picking up commencement tickets. I can’t believe graduation is a...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:33:30 -0400

Just got an email about picking up commencement tickets. I can’t believe graduation is a little over a month away! Time has FLOWN! As sad as I am to graduate, I’m finally starting to get excited for the future and for a new beginning. It’s kind of like how I felt when I was graduating high school- it’s a very bittersweet ending, but it’s nice to know that good things are to come! So for all of you reading this who are seniors and nervous about graduating, don’t be, the best is yet to come!

Hope you’re all enjoying the beautiful Tuesday! Hopefully this is a sign that Spring is almost here. OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE

Congratulations to Northeastern’s business school for ranking 25th in the country for...

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:53:00 -0400

Congratulations to Northeastern’s business school for ranking 25th in the country for undergraduate business schools!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day weekend!...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:59:49 -0400

Hope everyone had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day weekend! On Saturday was our annual South Asian culture show called Nataraj. I’ve performed in it every year and was so sad that this was my last one :( all this graduation stuff is finally hitting me and I don’t know that I like it :(( but! I got to see my parents which was great and participate in some fun dances! Above is a picture of a few of us that performed in a South Indian dance!

Well, hello everyone! I survived spring break and am back and tanner than EVER! Pictures to come! I...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:26:16 -0400

Well, hello everyone!

I survived spring break and am back and tanner than EVER! Pictures to come! I had an absolute blast on the cruise and am so sad to be back to reality :( the good news is that Boston has great spring weather going on right now that I don’t hate one bit!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to meet President Aoun! I, along with the rest of the executive board for NU Science Magazine had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him about the growth of our magazine since we first founded it back in 2008, until now, and how we can make it grow in the future! Check out the photo of us all sitting with him. Try to ignore the fact that I’m clearly not photogenic….

http://www.northeastern.edu/news/multimedia-items/talking-science/

Have a great Wednesday!

Sitting in the terminal waiting for our flight to San Juan!! Then off on a cruise through the south...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:48:03 -0500

Sitting in the terminal waiting for our flight to San Juan!! Then off on a cruise through the south Caribbean for the next week with all my friends! Pictures to come! Happy Spring break :)

Just gotta get through this week then I’m off on a cruise with 16 of my friends through the...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:20:57 -0500

Just gotta get through this week then I’m off on a cruise with 16 of my friends through the South Caribbean for spring break!!!

Let’s hope this week FLIES!

Happy Monday people!

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m a part...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:38:32 -0500

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m a part of a non-profit on campus called Peer health exchange, where we teach health education to high school freshman in Boston. The staff office is located at One Beacon, on the 31st floor with the most gorgeous view of Boston. Right?!? I love this city.