Meet Notre Dame’s ultimate Latina duo, Maria Sarah Bazan and Maria Belen Bazan! These twins hail from the tropics of Puerto Rico (an island known for its incredible food, perfect weather, and historic debt), and are characterized by their humor, caring, and love of Starbucks coffee. They’ve mastered the fine art of transitioning from the tropics to the tundra, and have a remarkable amount of patience despite the endless cases of mistaken identity from professors and strangers. Ladies and gentlemen, the Bazan twins!
The Basics
Names: María Sarah Bazán and Maria Belen Bazan
Dorm: Welsh Fam
Hometown: San Juan, PR
Majors
MS: Psychology
MB: Management Consulting
Can you guess who? (Hint: It’s Maria Sarah)
Use three adjectives to describe yourself:
MS: Enthusiastic, driven, easy going
MB: Loyal, laid back, and caring
Favorite Movie or TV Show
MS: The Producers, either version
MB: Narcos, Last Week Tonight
Last song you listened to:
MS: Prefer not to answer
MB: “Hello” by Adele
Is it awkward attending the same university as your twin?
MS: No! I would say that having my sister around was one of the main reasons for why my transition from San Juan to Notre Dame was so enjoyable. It’s always reassuring to know that, no matter what, we always have each other for support. Plus, I never have to spend any time thinking about my beginning-of-the-semester fun fact.
Have you ever gotten cheesy twin jokes from people and if so, which has been the worst one?
MS: People don’t usually make jokes about it (not to our face, at least, haha), but people do ask some very odd questions. The one we get most frequently is whether or not one feels the same things as the other at the same time (pain, emotions, sensory experiences, etc.). FYI the answer is no, but I appreciate the concern. I would tell you the worst one, but it’s not very PC.
MB: Not really, people just get us confused.
So professors/strangers tend to confuse the two of you often?
MS: Every day. Whenever I meet someone new, I anticipate that this will happen. I often preface my introductions by saying that I have a twin and give them an out from these situations by letting them know that we have the same first name. We also have a pact wherein, if someone addresses us by the wrong name, we’ll still respond and let the other know.
What was it like transitioning from PR to South Bend?
MS: It was definitely a change, but overall, it was a very positive experience for me. I was exposed to different events and people that I wouldn’t have encountered at home.
MB: The transition wasn’t as bad as people would think. Notre Dame is a very inclusive place and I’ve met some amazing people that have made my decision to come to South Bend truly worthwhile. The only tough part was getting used to the weather during my first year.
What’s the best way to survive the South Bend Tundra while friends back home think it’s acceptable to post about the sunny weather back home?
MS: My personal strategy is to post dome pics with the caption #Blessed to hide my jealousy. Jk, it never really gets to me because I know when I’m going back. It also helps that I really love being at Notre Dame.
MB: I won’t lie, I do get kind of jealous when people back home start posting pictures of the beach while I’m here at ND wearing a million jackets, but I like to make the most of it. There are a lot of fun outdoor activities that I get enjoy during the winter that I would never be able to experience back home.
What does Puerto Rico do better than South Bend?
MS: The food.
MB: Definitely food
Best Thing about Notre Dame?
MS: I really like that there is a strong sense of community and tradition.
MB: The people. The people are really caring and it a very close environment.
Worst?
MS: The Cold
What’s it like being a senior?
MS: For me, it’s more or less the same as the last two years, except that I have a stronger sense that I know what I’m doing (if that makes sense). It’s a very gratifying experience to be able to think back to the last three years and see the progress that you and your friends have made.
MB: It’s been very nice and pretty chill. I have no class on Tuesdays and Thursdays so its been pretty great.
Thanks for the interview and for acting as a second family!
XOXO, HCND
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Images: provided by interviewees