We recently asked 8 Harvard students to share stories about their favorite class experiences. Their stores help paint a picture about what makes a Harvard education a special experience. What is most evident from all of their stories is that a Harvard education prepares students to be well-rounded global citizens who are dedicated to making the world a better place.
The Role of Music in Health and Education
"One of my absolute favorite courses I have taken at Harvard thus far was a Mind, Brain, Behavior Seminar on The Role of Music in Health and Education led by Dr. Wong. The course was an interdisciplinary seminar studying the many ways in which music can affect us as individuals and the profound impact it can have both within the healthcare and educational spheres. Every student in the course hailed from their own unique background, which prompted some of the most fascinating and enriching class discussions I am sure will stay with me for many years going forward. Coming from a dance and music background myself, it was especially interesting to explore how these disciplines intersect—especially while having Dr. Wong as my mentor and inspiration!" - Alina T '24
Making Change When Change is Hard: The Law, Politics, and Policy of Social Change
"Making Change When Change is Hard: The Law, Politics, and Policy of Social Change. Learning about different ways to make change on a micro and macro scale from people who have been directly involved in those processes was an incredible experience, and something I'll never forget! Ambassador Powers, and her husband Cass Sunstein were brilliant lecturers." - Samantha W. '24
Education Sector Nonprofits
"A019 - Education Sector Nonprofits" offered at Graduate School of Education. One of Harvard's greatest strengths is its diverse class selection, including graduate classes. In A019, through its unique case method, I learned how to maximize the impacts of Ryu-Fellow (https://ryu-fellow.org/), an educational nonprofit organization that I represent. Now, we're collaborating with the government and US Embassy to nurture future leaders that embrace global challenges through workshops and strategic policy implementation." - Ryosuke T. '22
Humanitarian Activism and Civil Society
"I took a Sociology elective called Humanitarian Activism and Civil Society during my First-Year spring, and loved delving into a topic that I was passionate about amongst more experienced Sociology students. I was the only first year, and there were only 6 people in our class total, so it was a great opportunity for me to build my confidence in discussion-based classes while also learning from my peers and their past courses and work experiences. We had the opportunity to write several policy briefs and to research humanitarian problems that were interesting to us, and I found it incredibly rewarding to start my Sociology concentration in this way" - Samantha M.'24
Thesis Writing Tutorial in the Study of Comparative Religion
"My thesis writing tutorial in the Study of Comparative Religion has shown me the greater project of putting a document together. Much more than guiding me through producing a comprehensive paper, this class has helped me learn how I, individually, organize and articulate my thoughts over time. My advisors, including Leah Rumsey (the Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies), know me and my hopes so well that can follow the origins of my argument through months of revision and rethinking, allowing me to take risks (and get distracted by adjacent theological ideas) without losing sight of my reason for writing."- Erin A. '22
Engineering in the Acoustical World
"The best class I have taken at Harvard was GenEd1080: Engineering in the Acoustical World with Rob Wood which I took in my first-year spring. It was an extremely fun class with interesting lectures, cool guest speakers, flexible assignments, hands-on labs, and amazing performances by renowned musicians! This class also introduced me to the SEAS community and resources. Before coming to Harvard I knew that I was interested in designing and making things, but I had never really connected it to engineering until I took this class. Through this class, I got to see what some of the engineering labs looked like and what type of work they were doing. I was also introduced to the Active Learning Labs (now new and improved in the SEC!), where I used 3D printing, laser cutting, and other tools to invent and build instruments for my class. I think this was my most rewarding class because, in addition to simply loving the class, it changed my perspective and led me down a new path which involves engineering" - Maya P-L '24
The Neurobiology of Disease
"Neurobio 209. This class has such a focus on the patient experience, and after taking so many classes with a non-clinical focus, it serves as the perfect bridge between all the background knowledge you learn early on as a STEM concentrator and what you eventually want to do in the medical field. I love that Harvard isn't a pre-professional school, but it is so nice to have a class that directly prepares you for your future career. We speak directly with patients impacted by the diseases we study and then get to have a conversation with pioneering doctors in the field. I know I will be a better physician one day because I took this class." - Lauren T. '22
Politics of Development in Africa
"Politics of Development in Africa. This class was the perfect deep dive into how development works in various African political structures. I loved how we were able to learn so much while also adding in our own stories from personal experience. Most of my classmates were from Africa or had done fieldwork, which made class discussions extremely fruitful. For me personally, I was able to learn more about the work I had done the Summer prior in the Ministry of Finance in Accra, Ghana, my country of heritage. Learning alongside like-minded students who all contributed to the conversation about the future of Africa was an invaluable experience. Classes like this are what Harvard is all about!" - Alexis E. '22
