Dressing up in the Dorms: Living at Stanford University
This entry is part of a CCR blogging exchange between Stanford, the American University of Cairo, and Orebro University in Sweden. Students have been asked to post a "university culture" entry introducing something about their university culture (or national culture) to an audience of students across the world. Then, other students will comment and we will soon have a rich dialogue, as students develop ways of writing for international audiences and hopefully learn about ways of life across the globe.
Hey, we’re Paige and Atira, and we’re freshmen at Stanford University! Upon our arrivals at Stanford, the first taste of Stanford life we received was when we approached the doors to our dorm, carrying all our life belongings in two large suitcases. The initiation into the dorm consisted of a loud megaphone welcome from multiple people clad in coordinating t-shirts and mardi gras beads. After the loud wake-up call, they gave us t-shirts of our own, a room key, and a bag of information regarding New Student Orientation. This was our official joining into the Stanford community. A month later, dorm life continues to be the focal point of life on campus. The sense of belonging and collaboration translates into the dorm as well as academics. There’s a competitive atmosphere, but everyone is encouraged to work together towards a greater goal.
Atira: Hey guys, here's a little more info about me: I'm from Woodland Hills, CA, which is about 6.5 hours south of Stanford, outside of Los Angeles. I'm really into the sciences, and I want to major in neurobiology/ neuroscience and eventually go into medicine. I also love to draw and paint, so I'm planning on minoring in Studio Art as well. Besides school, the track team takes up a lot of my free time, but I love every moment of it (well, almost every moment when practice isn't kicking my butt). Other random facts about me: I randomly dance in place and I am obsessed with colors.
Paige: I'm from San Diego, California and am 18 years old. I am looking to major in the Interdisciplanary Program of Humanities and possibly attend graduate school for business. I love the beach, playing volleyball, riding horses, and visiting tropical places. My favorite time of the day is sunset, and my favorite foods are blueberries and watermelon.
Comments
Hey guys, I really like your post. It reveals how your dorms life is more or less the same as ours. In fact, our dorms in the new campus are designed in a so modernized way. It is divided into several units each has its own facilities such as T.V, studying room, refrigerator, etc. Here in AUC, the units of the boys are separated from those of the girls, I don’t know if you are similar to us or no!! We AUCians have the sense of belongings and collaborations during both spare times and exams times similar to you. We prefer making parties in our holidays and spare time, and we use to help each other during exams. Finally, I would like to introduce myself. I'm Ahmed, I'm from Alexandria, which is about 2 hours from Cairo. I came to Cairo in order to join AUC which is considered the best university in Egypt. This is my third semester at AUC. I'm majoring in Mechanical engineering and I'm intending to minor in Business as I really enjoy it to the maximum. I look forward to operate and manage my family's business. I enjoy practicing sports. I love playing Tennis and football. I also adore travelling abroad especially to Europe and I addict shopping.
Posted by: ahmed maged | October 28, 2009 01:16 PM
Holla! Hey guys, this Aly El Deeb from the American University in Cairo. Your dorms seems so cool. I have got many friends living at the AUC dorms which seems more or less the same as yours. A friend of mine was just telling me about the Halloween night they spent there and how fun it was with many different costumes and lots of food. I am originally from Alexandria another Egyptian city about 3 hours away from Cairo. I love math and physics and that is why I am majoring in elecronics engineering which is a combination of both plus their real life applications.
Cheers,
Aly
Posted by: Aly El-Deeb | November 2, 2009 09:58 AM
My name is Jens and Im 21 years old and beside me I got Hanna 23.
Jens: I live with my girlfriend since 1 year back in a 2 room appartment so I can't really say anything about living in a dorm. Though I have friends that does and it seems nice and really social way of living. I don't know if I would be able to handle the compact living-style now when I have been living on my own in my own apartment. I like playing Guitar Hero and Skate with my friends on my Xbox360 (even though my girlfriend beat me at GH!). Other then that I like hanging around with friends.
Hanna: Hi, I also live in my own apartment and haven't got any experience of living in a dorm. I'm now used to live on my own and I guess I would find it hard to live so close to so many different people. You seem to have loads of fun though!!!
I also like to hang around with my friends, and I guess we're partying alot:)
Thanks xoxo
Posted by: Jens & Hanna | November 16, 2009 07:51 AM
These girls seem to be very cheerful bunch!:) This surely reminded me about my college days.
Posted by: Wedding Band in London | November 17, 2009 11:03 PM