Ellen Franz:I’ve heard you’re pretty involved on campus. What are some of the activities you are passionate about?
Christine Chen:Right now I am coordinating for Junior/Senior Formal 2011 and I am the marketing coordinator for Fall Fest 2011. I have been an Orientation Leader for the past two years and am about to start working for phone-a-thon. I am also doing Banshee and I coordinated Senior Week for the Class of 2010.
EF:Tell me more about Junior/Senior Formal. Give me the details.
CC:So, we are really excited this year because, traditionally, Junior/Senior Formal was held in a hotel, but this year we are changing the venue to the Spirit of Boston, a luxurious boat, which will sail around the Boston Harbor. There’s going to be a seated dinner, full bar and tons of dancing. We wanted to change the feel of Formal and we didn’t want it to be a huge college party; rather we wanted people to get dressed up fancy and go out for a nice night and have a blast. This is going to be so different from what Formal has traditionally been and we are so excited!
EF:What got you interested in being involved on campus?
CC:I’ve been an Orientation Leader since my sophomore year and it was such a rewarding and unforgettable experience, being able to connect with the class of 2013. I’m still connected with members of my first AIDE group today and it’s great to act as their mentor.
EF:How do you find time to do everything?
CC:It’s a balancing act. I really rely on my Google calendar a lot—almost a little too much. I’m efficient with my time and it’s a lot of juggling.
EF:How do you relax and detox from your hectic week?
CC:So, on the weekends, I tend to take the two days to myself and focus on my schoolwork and spend time being by myself. I try to center myself and reflect on what happened during the week. I like to be alone and de-stress.
EF:What have you taken away from all these leadership roles?
CC:When you go to college, normally you take classes to advance your intelligence and view of the world, but being involved gives you a chance to apply all that you have learned socially and academically. I am planning to apply all of these experiences to the real world—how to deal with people, stressful situations, and how to handle working in groups and dealing with disagreements.
EF:What wise words do you have for the Brandeis Community?
CC:I think that Brandeis is one of those schools where the more you are involved, the more it gives back. I encourage people to be involved and join clubs. If you really want to make an impact on the future of Brandeis, then be an Orientation Leader or a Community Advisor. If you are interested in volunteering, join Waltham Group. Get involved because it’s really rewarding and totally worth it!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brandeis chapter.