"I'll miss the environment which allowed me to explore different aspects of my identity and which gave me the resources to start making myself into the person I always wanted to be."
Joe Najibi
"The little, spontaneous epiphanies that have made me realize how much I have, intellectually and personally, developed over these past years are some of the moments I will miss the most. Harvard has challenged us in ways I thought unimaginable, and it is the impact of these experiences as to why I will treasure them as we begin life after Harvard."
Jazly Liriano
"On July 25, 2014 I walked into a cafeteria of roughly 90 campers wishing me a happy birthday. They even wrote cards and drew endearing pictures of me playing soccer with them or pushing them on the swings. One camper advised me to "stay away from boys because they only bring trouble" and others confessed that I was their "favorite" teacher. During my time here at Harvard the Boston Refugee Youth Enrichment Program has been my home away from home. I am eternally grateful to the BRYE campers and their families for teaching me the most valuable lesson of all: to find hope one must simply look to young people."
Melinda Wang
"Harvard has taught me how to smile in the face of hardships. And neuroscience has taught me that the physical act of smiling can and does strengthen our emotional well-being. The people I’ve encountered, the classes I’ve taken, and the mind-blowing talks I’ve attended have exposed me to a much bigger world than my own life. Now I really know the difference between first world problems and #firstworldproblems."
Connie Hsu
“You never know the worth of water until the well is empty.” Everyone’s busy at Harvard. There isn’t a single student who hasn’t, at some point, felt overwhelmed by the amount of work they had to finish. But it takes a certain amount of mindset to stop and smell the roses. Instead of stressing over what’s in the future, why not stop and enjoy the present? All the experiences we’ve encountered, the long- lasting friendships we’ve made, all those beautiful memories – these are aspects of our time here at Harvard that matter the most. So its time to stop using “busy” as an excuse, and really enjoy everything wonderful that we have – all the people, experiences, love, and the many happy moments that are always around you."
Jessica Barzilay
"It’s almost impossible to choose just one favorite memory at Harvard—sledding down Widener Steps in the blizzard of freshman winter, the Harry Potter- reminiscent thrill of getting “sorted” on Housing Day, dancing in Ghungroo with 20 new friends, playing volleyball with my blockmate at the Dunster Goat Roast, running barefoot down Mount Auburn Street with my roommate after formal, heels in hand, welcoming freshmen to campus during Opening Days, and the triumph of winning our fourth consecutive Harvard-Yale Game all compete for top billing. Senior Champagne Brunch is definitely close to number one though, for the way it brought so many friends and friendly faces into one space. It brought into focus one of the things I’ll miss most about Harvard: living within walking distance of all my favorite people!"
Viona Shina Leboo
"Harvard has been a place with ups and downs, sometime the low moments could make you feel overwhelmed or in the wrong place. In the highs and lows, I have learnt so much. Looking back, I appreciate everything that I have experienced. The hard times made me stronger, and are now stories that I can share. While the good times are moments that I will forever cherish, with the people who experienced them with me. All I can say is that the moments that everything seemed broken, I came out a better person. I'm grateful to Harvard for this."
Devi Nair
"I want to say the thing I’ll miss the most about Harvard is the people, but I won’t. I refuse to accept that the perfect randomness of people that Harvard brought into my life was just for a 4-year stint. Harvard was just the beginning. The friendships that I have made here—the family that I found here—will only strengthen with time. That much I am sure of. So for now, let’s just say the thing I’ll miss the most about Harvard is El Jefe’s—here’s to hoping it stays in business long enough to see our first class reunion."
Kara Shen
"I've never been happier than when I've been surrounded by my incredible roommates - Kaitlyn, Kristina, Alexandra, and Annie. I feel so lucky for meeting them in Apley Court, for those long walks to Annenberg for meals together, and for all those late-night conversations on the futon. In freshman year, I had no idea that over the next three years we would laugh and cry and grow together, and that they would form the backbone to this crazy, wonderful experience. I owe all my favorite Harvard memories to them."
Dylan Munro
"Some of my favourite memories at Harvard are from Freshman year. Wide-eyed and excitable, my friends and I could make fun out of almost any situation. In particular, I remember walking through the Yard one day with two of my friends from Mass Hall, singing "I'm a Believer" (accompanied by incessant clapping and air-guitar riffs) at the top of our lungs. We didn't have any reason to do it, but we didn't have any reason not to. We were naive -- blissfully unaware of what passersby might think -- and happy to just be ourselves. Our laughter carried on long after the singing stopped. We're still laughing about it today."
Taylor Vandick
"I think what I'll miss most about Harvard is having this community all in one place. Even when everyone is doing different things and is busy, there are so many opportunities to see your friends and the things they've been working on whether it's a show or a concert or a thesis. Having everyone in the same place (mostly) at the same time for the past four years has been really special."
Sumire Hirotsuru
"My favorite memory at Harvard is the HRO (Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra) tour to Israel and Jordan at the end of freshman year. As an international student from Japan, I had a lot of challenges during my first year in the U.S., but I was always able to communicate, make friends, and have fun through music. Making music and spending time together with members for two weeks in such a different environment from school was a great opportunity to realize how lucky I was to be surrounded by such amazing and talented people. I will never forget the night when we all lay down on the ground in the middle of a desert in Jordan to look at the sky and saw the most beautiful stars on the earth – it was truly magical."
Megan Parsons
"Harvard was a formative experience, shaping me into a more effective leader, discerning scientist, global citizen, and warmhearted friend. In light of the extraordinary sacrifices of my mother, who made this lifelong educational journey possible, I am honored to continue contributing to, and benefiting from, diverse perspectives and the scientific enterprise."
Alexandra Lobel
"My favorite Harvard memory happens every morning at Annenberg breakfast. I met some of my closest friends freshmen year in the Annenberg line. Continuing this breakfast tradition every morning of senior year has been the happiest reminder of where my closest friendships began, and how they've developed and continue to grow to this day. That feeling of being surrounded by hundreds of talented, intelligent, thoughtful, and beautiful people will stay with me, always."
Chelsea Lide
"The most important lesson I've learned at Harvard has been about balance: on the one hand, to never be complacent -- to push myself outside of my comfort zone and to seize any opportunity I can -- but on the other, to be present, appreciative and humble for every wonderful experience I've had here and beyond. When I can do both, I'm able to pave my own path to success yet still manage to enjoy each twist and turn along the journey."
Julia Kee
"I’d have to say one of my favorite Harvard memories happened this past March, during my last Expressions Hip Hop dance show. It was so meaningful to have my friends (and family!) either sitting in the audience or dancing on stage alongside me. The energy during the 8:30 show was unparalleled, and it really was an amazing way to end my Harvard dancing career, as both a choreographer and a dancer."
Prerna Bhat
"I will miss monkeybread and karaoke steins and midnight drives and dhall conversations and crazy dancing and those first beautiful days of spring and Weeks Bridge and the gorgeous city we live in and shopping random classes in subjects I know nothing about and hearing wise words from incredible speakers but most of all I will miss you all, the people who have made this my home away from home. College is both the place where you can be surrounded by the most people and feel the most lonely, and I, as I'm sure many others, have felt my fair share of anxiety and frustration - but the good times certainly overshadow that, and I've had the time of my life and have loved my four years here. Shout out to my wonderful friends and family and mentors who've helped keep me sane and been my voice of reason when my own has gone missing - I love you more than I could ever express, and I know that this doesn't end here."
Charlotte D'Acierno
"I'll miss driving home from the Harvard Barn. We always manage to cross the Tobin Bridge right at sunset, when the Boston skyline stands out starkly against the orange sky."
David Freed
"What I'll miss about Harvard is being able to play pickup basketball every day."
Emmanuel Figueroa-Albertorio
"The best thing about Harvard is the relationships you form with people from all over the world. It is definitely a blessing to have friends not only from all over the US but also from diverse places like Japan and Albania."