Events
As part of the Global Studies Program, students must attend and write a reflection on several events yearly. Here are some of the events I attended, from most recent to oldest, and short descriptions of the event itself. Longer reflections can be found on my "Reflections" page.
Bethel Woods
Spending a day at Bethel Woods reminded me of the great privilege it is to pause life for three days to attend a music festival in upstate New York. Woodstock mostly drew white, affluent college students, potentially limiting its impact. It reminded me of If We Burn by Vincent Bevins, which highlighted the importance of diverse voices and a willingness to rebuild, not just resist, in protest. Show up if you can, just don't lose sight of who's not in the crowd.
Sports & Human Rights at UConn
Sports have always been political, but as Dr. Alisse Ali-Joseph and Dr. Amira Rose Davis point out, they don't have to be hostile. My whole family runs, and for years, I ran out of self-invented obligation, afraid to admit I didn't enjoy it. But something changed last year, and I began to love the sport; this love directly improved my times. When sports become oriented in community, love, and genuine passion, the game—and the world—progresses.
Rising EMS Demand Among the Growing Homeless Population
At an EMS conference, I attended a session on rising EMS demand and homelessness. Ken Bouvier, the speaker, explained that "the homeless population is the sickest you will ever encounter in your career." Shelters are often unsafe, and diseases run rampant, leaving the homeless population to flock to area hospitals. It reminded me of a recent call where we couldn't take a homeless man to his hospital of choice because they were on diversion for homeless people, and it left me wondering: where do we go from here?
Buena Vista Social Club
Before the Broadway screening of Buena Vista Social Club, I was walking in Columbus Circle, where I saw a chalk drawing: Oye ICE, nos quedamos(Translation: "Hey ICE, we're staying"). It hit especially hard after learning about Merwil Gutiérrez's deportation to CECOT. He was deprived of a vitally important American freedom—due process. Later, Buena Vista Social Club, despite being exclusively set in Cuba, reminded me of the cultural power of immigrant voices—how music can carry meaning across borders, even when the words aren't fully understood.
Divine Geometry at the Wadsworth
I visited the Divine Geometry exhibit at the Wadsworth Atheneum and was genuinely moved by the beauty and depth of the experience. The geometric art was stunning, and the immersive room with animated projections brought history to life—even prompting me to learn more about the Mongol invasion of Persia. Seeing the Holy Quran so beautifully preserved and adorned made me reflect on how different religions honor their sacred texts, especially in comparison to the faith traditions I was raised in, where simplicity was often the norm.
I Am Ready, Warden
The Global Studies program had the opportunity to watch the Oscar-nominated Documentary Shorts at Real Art Ways in Hartford, and I Am Ready, Warden stood out. The documentary tells the story of John Henry Ramirez and those impacted by his crime. It humanized Ramirez by interviewing him and showing the final phone call between him and his son—arguably the most heart-wrenching scene. The film reminded me of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, a book I read for a Forensic Science class last year, and provoked me to question how uneven and arbitrary our justice system can be.
Seminar with Ghenwah Kharbeet
The Global Studies program had the privilege of having a seminar with Ghenwah Kharbeet, a Syrian refugee now living with her husband and kids in Turkey. We discussed her experience as a refugee, Syria's future, and how the instability in the Middle East is impacting those living in the region.
DRST 2024
This was my second year participating in Watkinson's Dominican Republic Service Team. This year was extra meaningful because last year I had broken my foot weeks before departure, and it limited the work I was able to do. The DRST runs medical clinics and works on construction sites, and while last year I spent most of my time in the med clinics, this year I fell in love with construction. Staying on the same batey for the entire trip led me to form deeper relationships see the cumulative results of the work we do.
CT Forum: Reflections on a complex America
This event with Heather Cox Richardson and Nikole Hannah-Jones and moderated by Jonathan Capehart was incredible. I was lucky enough to attend both the regular event and the Student Preview, where other students and I were able to ask questions and speak with the speakers.
MASS MoCA
The dual-diploma programs(Global Studies and Creative Arts) went on a joint trip to MASS MoCA. There were a few exhibitions we were required to see, but other than that, we had the day to roam. I had never been to a modern art museum before, and I was pleasantly surprised. I especially enjoyed all of the immersive art.
Arn Chorn-Pond
Watkinson has a years-long connection with Cambodian Living Arts and the Khmer Magic Music Bus. Arn Chorn-Pond, a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, spoke at Watkinson about his experiences and journey of healing through music. The most interesting aspect of Arn’s visit to me was his search for his identity after moving to America as a refugee from Cambodia.
Rosh Hashanah in the Park
Rosh Hashanah in the Park was a service hosted by Congregation Beth Israel in Elizabeth Park in Hartford. I had only been to a couple of Jewish services before, both of them being Bat Mitzvahs, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I enjoyed their focus on human connection, through music or otherwise, and it reminded me of the Protestant congregation I was raised in.
Justice Mullins' Confirmation Hearing
Justice Raheem Mullins of the CT Supreme Court had a confirmation hearing to become Chief Justice on September 30, 2024. I assumed this hearing would be filled with court orders and law vernacular that I wouldn’t understand. However, it was quite accessible. Something that shocked me was that Justice Mullins mentioned that none of the courthouses in Connecticut have WiFi, except for Torrington; I'm surprised that these issues haven't been addressed sooner, because I believe that reducing barriers so everyone in our state can interact with the government should be a top priority.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
The 2024 summer reading for the Global Studies Program was Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The connections between India's caste system and the United States' own system were fascinating. It took me a while to fully process the magnitude of Wilkerson's claims, but it was incredibly helpful in understanding the choice between complicity and education.