Jans on Jumping Into Hamilton
Noora spent her fall semester in Kenya through the School for Field Studies’ Endangered Species Conservation program. She divided her semester into two parts: coursework, including Introduction to the Swahili Language and East African Tribal Communities and Human Dimensions of Endangered Species Conservation, and directed research. She co-authored a paper with two peers about the threats facing lions in Amboseli National Park, which she presented to a crowd of more than 150 conservation experts and community stakeholders at the end of the program.
Noora’s mother, Sylvi Herrick ’89, initially encouraged Noora to consider Hamilton. During her visit to campus, Noora fell in love with the warm, vigorous sense of community on the Hill and ultimately applied Early Decision. She is particularly eager to start her Explorations in Biology course “Animal Coloration,” which examines the integrative biology of animal coloration.
During his gap semester, Justin found a second home with his host family in Buenos Aires, Argentina while enrolled in Spanish classes. Although his program was mainly geared toward short-term students, Justin quickly befriended his housemates and participated in local holidays and traditions with them.
Most memorable for him, however, was a boxing match he watched with a handful of local Argentines. “We showed up at an address in the outskirts of the city, and they led us through a series of hallways, through the back of a fruit store, to a little TV with the boxing match on, with a dozen guys all huddled around the TV, using empty fruit boxes as chairs. We watched the event together as they cooked us steaks on a tiny metal grill in the corner,” he remembered.
The beauty of campus, the Open Curriculum, and the kind, welcoming energy of everyone Justin met on the Hill compelled him to apply Early Decision to Hamilton. Justin said that after touring many East Coast colleges and universities, Hamilton “felt like the perfect balance of everything.” A self-described history nerd, Justin is excited to join the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club, further his Spanish literacy, and embark on outdoor adventures in the Glens.
Engaging in her host community defined Julia’s semester with the Arcadia University program in London. She fulfilled the Co-Curricular Learning Certificate, which required 15+ hours of participation in and the completion of a reflective project on an activity of her interest. Julia chose to volunteer twice a week at Dragon Hall’s after-school club for children ages 8-11. Additionally, she organized a fundraising initiative to support Dragon Hall’s daily operations and purchase new equipment for the club. “At Dragon Hall, I was part of the city’s everyday life,” she concluded.
Julia admired the tight-knit, reflective focus of the Hamilton community, which reminded her of where she grew up. Participating in the Adirondack Adventure Basecamp trip in August introduced her to friends outside of her studies in London and her training with the Varsity Women’s Rowing team. She hopes to continue exploring her academic interests in the Pre-Law Club and Finance Club.
For 10 weeks, Isa traveled through Australia and Bali in a combination of planned outdoor and cultural activities, service work, and self-directed exploration. Some days, she surfed, abseiled, hiked, snorkeled, and snowboarded. Other days, she planted trees, learned traditional dances and recipes, and made canang sari, daily offerings of gratitude that Balinese Hindus place on the streets.
Faculty, staff, and students’ enthusiasm for Hamilton appealed to Isa. “I toured many schools that look very similar on paper,” she said, “but Hamilton was one of the few that left me with the feeling that everyone here truly wants you to succeed and become the best version of yourself.”
Isa attended orientation in August and canoed and backpacked across the Long Lakes for her Adirondack Adventure trip. She plans to reunite with familiar faces this semester and is considering joining the Ultimate Frisbee team and Pottery Club.
More Student Stories
Class of 2029: First Years' First Thoughts
With their first semester at Hamilton now completed, members of the Class of 2029 took a moment to look back at their favorite classes, extracurricular clubs they’ve joined, and the faculty and ALEX advisors who have influenced them. Read about a few of our newest students — favorite spots on campus, go-to meals, and what they’ve added to their Hamilton bucket lists.
FYE Leaders Make the “New” of College Life Exciting
Organizing events ranging from on-campus scavenger hunts and merch drops, to excursions off-campus to apple orchards, the First-Year Experience (FYE) student leaders are experts in making all the “new” of college life exciting. We asked Dana Blatte ’26, a FYE leader since fall 2024, to share her experience with the program.
