Through WCCUSD’s Ivy League Connection program, Hercules High School Students Justine Betschart, Stacy Chan, Ramiah Davis-Shephard, Louisa Man, Julia Maniquiz, and Yueming Wang will be attending Cornell University to either study Freedom and Justice or Hotel Operations Management during the summer of 2009.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I Can't Believe It!

Wow! I really cannot believe I leave in just three days. It seems like only a little while ago that we were applying for the Ivy League Connection, going through the interviews, and filling out the applications. We are finally counting down the days that lead to the moment we step on that plane and fly to Ithaca; well, Detroit first, then Ithaca.


I truly apologize for my lateness to posting my thoughts on the blog. I have been scrambling to obtain everything I need for the day I leave and have found no time within these past couple days. I am happy to say I am almost done with that scramble. A couple more steps and I will be ready to say, “Here I come Cornell.”


After reading the testimonial from Ruben, a student in the Hotel Operations Management program last summer, I know that this program will definitely be challenging and rigorous. We may reach to a point where we completely burn out. However, one thing I am confident about is that we will not give up. We students from both the hotel program at the Freedom and Justice course will definitely make everyone here at home proud.


I have also been doing some extensive research on the many hotel chains that Professor Reneta McCarthy has recommended to incoming summer hotelies. I know doing this will better prepare me and lead to my success at Summer College. I find each one very similar, but then again, acquires its own charm. Each corporation’s charm appeals to its audience and its customers in a unique way, whether it be the size of the company, the social class of its customers, or the routine it follows to successfully run its corporation. I have gathered with my fellow course-mates, Stacy and Yueming, to discuss over our research. I cannot wait until I actually walk into the classroom and meet Professors Reneta and Mark McCarthy and discuss the research over as a class. I would love to hear the class’ insight about how these chains are operated.


When I arrive, I know the one thing I will want to do is meet the other students. I am ecstatic just thinking about how I will be able to meet new friends on this incredible trip to Cornell and work with them for three weeks. I love learning about new things, which includes new cultures and new perspectives. I know I will be able to do that in the program and at Cornell.


In addition, I am incredibly excited to visit Syracuse University. One of my passions and interests is journalism and I know that SU carries one of the best journalism programs in the United States. That is amazing! I am grateful to acquire such a chance to visit the institution. Unfortunately, we will not be able to visit the SI Newhouse School of Public Communications, but I hope our tour guide will provide some elaborate information about the school and its programs. Maybe we will meet a student that happens to study public communications. Hopefully, we do.


~Louisa

1 comment:

  1. Louisa,

    We frequently run across people who think that the only new and different cultures they can experience are the ones in different countries and that they have to travel outside our borders to experience them. What they fail to understand is just how different we can be right here in the US. I’m not just referring to the cultures but even the languages spoken.

    To suggest that they speak the same kind of English in Boston or Savannah as we do here in the Bay Area would be incorrect. Even New Yorkers have their own language and that’s slightly different than those from Jersey. And New Orleans is a whole different experience.

    Check out the culture differences between Brooklyn and Miami; between Vermont and Beaumont; and especially between San Francisco and San Antonio.

    We live in a whole planet of differing cultures all contained within our own borders. And when you get to Cornell you’re going to find representatives of those different cultures all around you. I envy that new experience for you.

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