On February 3rd, there was an event based around the Chinese New Years celebration. I attended the event with two of my friends, who are not part of IA Scholars. The event was focused on teaching and presenting Chinese celebrations related to the Chinese New Year.

My favorite parts of the event were the dances, the food, and the calligraphy. There was one dance in particular that consisted of around five girls in two piece floor length dresses doing a synchronized number. There was another older lady who did a traditional “fan dance” combined with tai chi. Throughout the even, dumplings, tea, cookies, and other traditional foods were being served on the side.
The event related to IA Scholars because it involved learning and participating in a whole other culture’s tradition. IA stresses the importance of understanding the world in all of its unique hidden beauties. Sacred traditions such as the Chinese New Years celebration is not only very enjoyable, but it is a crucial time in the Chinese culture. I am personally quite interested in such events because experiencing events that are special to others helps me understand them at least a little better. Even though BioChem does not have much to do with this event, I think it was a educational.

The Peace Corps Information Session occurred on the 14th of November, and I went to the event alone. The meeting was based on expanding on the information that was given to us during our IA seminar session. The Peace Corps mission is to help those around the world that are in need, and cannot get it from anyone else.

I did not quite know what the Peace Corps was, even though I have heard the term thrown around in conversations on several occasions. Going to the session informed me about the peace corp mission, what they do, and how to get involved. The question that was crawling around my head during the meeting was if my help would really make any difference in the grad scene of things. Any help is good because there are so many people in need everywhere. Furthermore, the help that anyone does will be remembered by those who were helped forever.

This is very important for IA because we focus on nurturing good and fruitful interactions between the United States and the rest of the world. These interactions can be strengthened by helping the less fortunate in other countries. As for my future in dentistry, I am going to be helping young children and teenagers with their teeth. Even though that is not as big as the Peace Corps, it incorporates helping others who can not do what you can do by themselves.