College: Trumbull
Year: 2015
Hometown: LA (originally), moved to Paris Junior year of High School and now in the process of moving to DC
Major: Global Affairs
I am extremely excited to announce Yale’s first Her Campus Cutie of the year: Eli Rivkin. Eli is personable, fun and pretty much part of all aspects of campus life. If this isn’t enough to keep you reading: he’s lived in Paris for the past 4 years and knows how to have a great time!
Favorite…
Favorite Party Theme: The Great Fratsby
Favorite place to study: Blue State on Wall
Favorite movie: Zoolander
Favorite party song: We Can’t Stop (Miley Cyrus)
Favorite place on campus: Bass café
Favorite restaurant in New Haven: Shake Shack
How do you like junior year so far?
It’s great. I feel like it’s going to be a good year. It’s weird being an older kid because I still think of myself as a sophomore. Definitely a lot of changes – I’m living off campus now and I’m the events director for the Yale College Council, so that is taking up a lot of time.
What did you do this summer?
I was in Paris. I took a class with some friends for five weeks, then I worked in an investment bank, but it was more government-related than pure finance.
What extracurricular activities are you involved in at Yale?
I’m the events director for YCC. The main thing for that is planning Spring Fling, but I plan the Fall Show (where a famous comedian is featured), events for President Salovey’s inauguration, Yale-Harvard this year and many others. It’s going to take up a lot of my time, but I’m also a writer for the Yale Politic, a member of Myanmar Project, and I’m in Sig Ep.
Why did you decide to major in global affairs?
Even though I might try finance after I graduate, I eventually want to do something with government. Living abroad in Paris has really shaped who I am. When you are living somewhere new, you embed yourself in the culture and I feel that the major really prepares us to enter the global work force.
How would you compare Paris and LA?
Paris is definitely more fun. You don’t need to drive, for one. The nightlife in Paris is so incredible, especially the clubs and bars. It’s hard to even compare them, though I do miss the California sun.
How do you feel about moving from Paris to DC?
I’m pretty ambivalent. I think it’s time to move, but I don’t really have a sense of home now. Because of Yale, I know I’m going to have so many friends from DC there, which is cool. It’s a new adventure. One thing that’s great is the new commute– 4 hours by train. The 8-hour plane ride from Paris was the worst. I’m always put next to the worst people on the plane, they smell and try to talk to me when I’m just trying to sleep.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I’ve lived in Paris for 4 years, and I still can’t speak French. I’ve gotten through L5 at Yale, but still can’t speak the language.
What’s it like having your sister on campus this year?
It’s like a new job I have, you know, gotta employ people to look out for her. Everyone seems to know her whereabouts and they try to inform me about what she does. They say things like “I saw your sister on the street; talking to this person” etc
Any celebrity crushes: They change so often, but it’s always been Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman.
Describe your perfect date: [after asking for clarification], I suggested the question be split up into Paris and New Haven.
Paris would start off at the finest restaurant with a bottle of wine, some accordion player would come up and entertain us and then we would migrate to the Eiffel Tower and watch it sparkle. Then we’d see where the night takes us… probably go to some clubs depending on the night.
Ok so for New Haven, we would have to scale it down a little – start with a nice meal at Zinc (or maybe Panera…), we can’t have a bottle of wine because I’m not 21 – so we would be completely sober. And then afterwards, date night at Sig Ep and then see where the night goes. [All roads lead to Toads?…]
What’s your favorite Yale memory?
There are too many memories to say just one. Joining Sig Ep as a freshman was a ton of fun – meeting a lot of older kids and hanging out. Spring Fling freshman year – that was why I wanted to get more involved in YCC because of how much fun I had there. Oh and Safety Dance last year was also just absurd.
Where are we most likely to find you on a Saturday night?
My apartment is right between Viva’s and Box, so I’d typically start off at the apartment, migrate to Viva’s, then Box, and then probably Late Night at SAE or some sort of after-party at Sig Ep.
Any embarrassing moments at Yale?
My post-midnight snap chats.
What’s something about you people don’t tend to know?
Probably how rugged I am. People don’t think I’m the type of person to do FOOT, but I used to do that stuff all the time when I was younger. I’ve been to Asia, backpacked through the Grand Canyon and the Pacific Northwest, and have traveled all around Europe.
What has been your favorite trip?
Burma, before the country opened up. There was so much potential for growth. The people I talked to were super genuine and hopeful that through reforms, their country could transform their lives for the better.
Also backpacking in the Grand Canyon. That was scary – there were rattlesnakes everywhere. We had to hike down at night and got to sleep outside under the stars. But I hate bugs, even though I like camping. There were cockroaches and beetles, and we didn’t have a tent, so we would wake up and there would be bugs everywhere – I couldn’t deal.
Finally, Yale girls are best because…?
They’re always fun, unique, and know how to have a good time.