My House is not just a place I live; it is a place where I actively bring people together. 

At the start of my junior year, I reminisced on my first year in the upperclassmen housing system. Being a member of the best house, Pforzheimer House, I enjoyed all it had to offer: wonderful tutors, newly-made friends, and most importantly, the intramural soccer team that beat the rest of the houses to win the spring championship! I truly felt that Harvard was not just a place where I could study, but it was also a place I could call home. 

So, when I found out about the Housing Committee at Pforzheimer House and how undergraduate students get the opportunity to uphold house culture, I knew it was for me. The House, in just one year, had given so much to me. I believed I should give my time and passion back to it. There were a variety of ways I could contribute to the house culture, but I chose to do so by becoming my house’s Stein Chair. 

For those unfamiliar, house Steins are a tradition in upperclassmen houses that provide undergraduates with the opportunity to organize social events. The Stein Chairs in any upperclassmen house oversee planning and hosting the Steins. The Steins themselves are themed social gatherings with food and refreshments that fit the theme. 

I want to tell you guys about one of my favorite Steins I got to host: Pfoho’s grill’n’stein! As our last Stein of the academic year, my co-Stein Chair and I wanted to send our housemates off with a proper gathering that brought the community together. We thought what better way than to host a barbecue in the Pfoho courtyard, where we’d grill meat and veggie skewers alongside DIY tacos! It was the perfect gathering for the warming spring weather. 

Now, most people will dread the setup for a cookout because it takes a decent amount of time to prepare food and set up a taco table. But that could not be further from the truth at this grill’n’stein! I found it quite fun! I made sure to gather all the food and supplies we needed, marinated the steak for skewers, and inspected our grills. The setup gave me a chance to visit supermarkets here in Cambridge and learn a delicious marinade recipe. On the day of the Stein, I put on my best funny apron and fired up the grill. I cranked up the Luke Bryan tunes, set up the volleyball net, and Pfoho’s classic American cookout had commenced! 

Housemates poured into the courtyard ready to feast on tacos and skewers. People laughed, shared stories about their week, sang country music, and dove to save the volleyball to avoid conceding a point. I got to kick back after my final exam, studying to spend time with my closest friends, grilling, and meeting new faces who were happy to continue this amazing house tradition! 

From that Stein, and the rest I have hosted, I have enjoyed bringing the house together over food and quality time. I have had the opportunity not only to be part of the house but also to bring others to enjoy all that it has to offer.