My Wonderful Ladies!
I hope you all are doing all right! By the way, here in the
South of the US it is common to say “y’all” instead of “you all”. Today my blog is called “10 Things You Must
Know About Agnes”. It is very common for study abroad students to build the
image of the campus, as well as community, based on the information they find mainly from online sources. However, sometimes
the constructive text given on the college’s website is not enough and you want
to ask a current student for her impressions. Therefore, I am here for you,
sharing my experience, my vision and understanding of everything I see at
Agnes. Thus, if you want some officially approved and edited information,
please visit ASC’s website. I am not a professional movie editor, nor I am
professional blogger. I just want to use each opportunity to help you be prepared
to study and live here. Finally, I have made a video for this blogpost, so you
can watch and have a better understanding of what I am writing about.
Well, let’s continue with 10 things you must know about
Agnes Scott College.
# 1.
We Call Each Other Scotties
As you might know already, every school in the US usually
has a mascot. Our mascot is a Scottie
dog, which is, I must admit, adorable. The first day I came here my host
adviser told me something like “being a Scottie”. At that time I was so
unfamiliar with Agnes Scott, that I did not pay attention to her words. Only
several weeks later, when I entered the cultural environment of my college, I
felt that very different sense of unity, which today I call being a Scottie.
Associating yourself with the term of “Scottie” is more than just being present
at college. It is more about engaging the social life and challenges of
college. This feeling of unity of all wise women around you sets you free of
stereotypes and the desire to copy somebody as everybody here accepts you the
way you are. Thus then, when you feel you are a Scottie, you will remain one
for the rest of your life! I do not know what official sources say about
“Scotties”. I just told you my own experience of me becoming one of them.
Moreover, before your classes start, you will have an Honor Pledge Ceremony,
where you will pledge to be honest, open-minded and a responsible person. I
wrote “person” on purpose, because you are signing this pledge for more than
your period of study, you are signing it as a promise to be wise woman for the
rest of your life. #2
We have a Black Cat Week
I have read about Black Cat when long before coming to ASC.
As I knew it was the brightest tradition of the college, I couldn’t wait to see
that event live. Moreover, I was not wrong in my expectations!
Here you can read everything about Black Cat Week: http://www.agnesscott.edu/studentlife/clubs-activities-leadership/events-traditions/black-cat.html
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| Joelle Atere-Roberts, Black Cat Formal |
As for me, I want to share my own impressions.
Black Cat week is a perfect opportunity for new
international students to get to know new people, as there are lots of
activities that require collective performance.
The decorations were all around the campus and I loved them
(I just bought my camera at that time, so I had great time taking pictures of
every single piece of decoration!). Actually, it was surprising though, how
much effort students put into preparing garlands and fancy cardboard women. The
funniest part is probably the Bonfire, you do not want to miss it Ladies!
Eventually, the most intriguing part is the Black Cat formal
dance, of course. ASC usually rents a building for the official party. Do not
worry about the transportation – it is all included in the ticket you purchase.
Please, make sure you purchase your ticket beforehand, for they are more
expensive when at the door. You can also invite your date for this celebration;
it is all up to you. Personally, I was without a date and still had some fun
with my friends, who were mainly international students (American students
usually have dates). Thus, it is a wonderful week full of fun; do not miss it!
#3
Date Raffle
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| Date Raffle, the beginning |
This is an extremely interesting tradition at ASC conducted
by Witkaze club. Annually, several men are invited to the Agnes Scott College
Date Raffle. Those men are “sold” to the girls from Agnes to join them on Black
Cat Official! Do not be scared, there is nothing inhumane about this tradition.
Men come voluntarily, and all money they are “auctioned” for goes to charity.
It is just a very entertaining way of fundraising. The night of the event Evans
Dining Hall is overcrowded, you can see approximately all students here. Moreover,
it is not only guys whoa re auctioned, but the ladies as well! I definitely
advise you to attend the Date Raffle; it is not the event to miss!
#4
International Fashion Show
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| Our Pakistani beauty on Fashion Show |
As a matter of fact, this is the event I enjoyed the most! I
was backstage photographer and a model at the same time. What we do for the
international Fashion Show is show our students traditional costumes from all
around the world. The students are divided into two parts – one smaller
fraction is modeling and the other is enjoying and watching.
It was unforgettable and very helpful experience – to see so
many traditional costumes! Now I know what people wear in Pakistan and
Bangladesh, for example. I had a costume of Saudi Arabian woman, the abaya and
hijab basically. It was very beautiful and elegant. The other amazing factor
that played huge role in leaving such a strong impression was the delicious food!
We had samosas, the eastern fried dumplings and many other dishes.
The atmosphere of a celebration was wonderful! Our girls had
a chance to experience what it is like to be a model. Putting on make up,
learning how to walk on the runway, it all created a very specific spirit which
somehow united the whole backstage and this union went up to the stage, where people
greeted us with applause! What can be better after midterms?
#5
International Students decorate the Christmas Tree at President’s House
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| President Elizabeth Kiss and Karolina Klimczak at the Christmas tree party |
Well, we decided to go to the Christmas tree decorating
party, even though it was not clear what to expect. I did not know our
President well enough to make any predictions. However, when we came all the
shyness I had flown away! President Kiss welcomed us, showed her house and
eventually led us to the room with the Christmas tree. There were about twenty
international students; we had some snacks, talked about everything and nothing
at the same time. Personally, I loved the event and, I must admit, we had
decorated an amazing Christmas tree!
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| We have decorated the best Christmas tree ever! |
#6
International Express
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| Last minutes of International Express Kyrgyzstan |
How much do you know about your country? This is the first
question you must ask yourself before applying for International Express.
Basically, this event is a country presentation, where you are given an hour to
show ASC students and staff what your country is like, and might as well be
that you get some of your traditional food. I made a country presentation less
than a week ago, I talked about my country, made a video and tried to get
everybody as closer to my country as possible. Representing a country is a huge
responsibility, as every word of yours will build the image of your homeland in
the heads of people who came to listen to you. Moreover, I have visited about 5
country presentations and learned a lot from them! International Express just shows
you something that nothing in online sources or books can show. You feel the atmosphere of the country, as if
you have truly spent an hour there! If you are on campus and you learn that
International Express is going to take place, please do not miss it (the food
served is usually fantastic!). Eventually, in case you are planning to represent
your country, bring your traditional costume or some souvenirs to show!
#7
GILC
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| 198 participants of GILC-2013 |
Georgia International Leadership Conference is annual event
that takes place in Rock Eagle 4-H Conference Center, Eatonton, Georgia. Agnes
Scott College gives you the opportunity to take part in the conference. You
will have an adviser who will drive you and take care of all the logistics
problems you might face. Thus, do not worry for the transportation and
accommodation. Your goal is to attain as many leadership skills and make as
many friends as possible! GILC looks like a huge melting pot! International
students or students who have studied abroad are eligible to take part in the
conference. This simply means that you will get a chance to meet people from
all over the world; you will get to know people from every continent (except
for Antarctica)! All of them have experience of traveling,
overcoming barriers and stereotypes, free of any type of discrimination and
inequality. I am glad I participated in the conference and get to know many
wise young people, future leaders of our world!
#8
The Campus
I shall do a very special video on
every part of ASC campus! It is the most gorgeous place I have ever been to!
When I first came here, it felt just like Hogwarts (if you know your Harry
Potter), and I knew I was going to love this place!
We have several buildings, and Agnes
Scott College is very small compared to other universities in Georgia. Campus
looks very harmonious as all the building are combined into one style.
Moreover, in the beginning of the year I used to ask first year students why
they had chosen ASC. There were lots of girls who stated: “I came here, saw the
campus and understood I want to study here!” I love the campus as well and hope
you will get a chance to see this sophisticated masterpiece of architecture!
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| View to my favorite part of Agnes Scott College |
#9
Atlanta
I would be bored if I did not have
Atlanta! Decatur is situated a 10 minutes drive from the South’s largest city –
Atlanta. As the matter of fact, Agnes and Decatur are extremely calm and safe
places. You can focus on your studies, or bring your children up here. However,
sometimes we all get to the point when we need a big city, to feel the energy
of the megalopolis, see all the people rushing back and forth!
I love Atlanta, it is very different
from New York or Chicago. It is a delightful combination of big city and
friendly cheerful people! Visit this city whenever you’ve got a chance!
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| Family in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Sunday afternoon |
#10
We have the best Artists
For me Agnes has this different
atmosphere – crazy mix of scientist and artists. However, as I am not close to
science, I cannot judge our science majors. Being in love with art, I admire
our artists, their talents, be that on canvas, or on stage. If you make it to Agnes
Scott College, please visit at least one of our concerts and enjoy wonderful
music and performance!
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| A very special Valentine, Dana Fine Arts building, Agnes Scott College |
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