Field Trip to Harvard Cambridge Campus

On Tuesday August 3rd, we went to the Harvard Cambridge Campus, the college known as the best college in the world, and of course, our faces were glowing with excitement.

First, we went into the Agassiz building and met two lovely and friendly harvard students, who told a lot of information about the university and led us into the campus. We learned some interesting facts about Harvard: First, John Harvard is actually not the founder of the university, but just a benefactor. Second, long time ago the library caught a fire and most of the priceless books and paintings were destroyed. Third, the Statue and John Harvard actually does not look like John Harvard because the person who was the model for his statue was not him (nobody knew how John Harvard looked like). It was very interesting to hear about these fun facts, standing in the middle of the campus.

Second, we went to the Science Center, which was constructed in an awesome stair-like structure. We got into the building and tried to sneak inside the one of the lecture halls. However, we had to get out because a guy (maybe a professor) kicked us out, saying "no tourists allowed in here." Also, there was a seven meters long calculator, which looked pretty cool but also scary at the same time.

After lunch, we went to Harvard Museum, which was located near the Science Center. It had almost everything inside from small organisms like insects to huge mammals like whales. In one of the rooms there was a box that contained about 150 insects in different categories such as predator and herbivores. The interesting thing about this bug box was that all the herbivores were really big, while the many of the predators were really small like a mice pooh. When I was observing this box, I was able to sense that it was trying to give me a lesson of life: Do not underestimate or ignore the deadliness of small ones.

The Harvard University tour was very pleasant and memorable. Even though most of us hang out and walk around the Harvard Square and heard a lot about the university, there were so many things that we did not know and that were fascinating to learn. Some of Harvard-haters among us actually began to like Harvard after the tour. It will be interesting to see if some of us will be able to conquer the Harvard College. Going to the best college in the world is not the most important thing in our lives, but I want to believe that there is a reason why we, the RAP interns, are accepted to this extraordinary program and having these invaluable experiences in our different workplaces.

Xiomara

Interviewer: Xiomara Garcia

Interviewee: Onawa Labelle

Position: Research assistant

What made you choose this career?

Onawa: It seemed like the right fit, it was interesting to me. I was also naturally good at it and I wanted to serve the public and help people.

What was your favorite subject growing up?

Onawa: I was always interested with social studies and anything to do with people and history.

What is the big dream that you fear you will not be able to fulfill?

Onawa: I feel that I can accomplish anything if I work hard enough and as for help.

What is your favorite meal?

Onawa: I love Italian food!!! Chicken parmesan and sea bass!!!

What is you favorite season and why?

Onawa: I like spring because it is the beginning on a new cycle in life and everything starts to come alive again.

On your day off what do you like to do?

Onawa: I like to read, go shopping I also like to go to historical places and gardens like in the common.

Do you have any advice for me?

Onawa: Absolutely!!!! Never doubt what you are capable of and always as for help because people will end over backwards to try and help!!!

Xiomara

The project that I am working on is the ACSSES and GUTS studies. What’s interesting about working within both studies is the amount of people that are willing to participate. For the ACSSES study there are home visits and people are willing to answer all the questions and get tested. They also allow their children to be part of the study. The fact people from all over the country are interested in help the study progress by giving time and information about themselves is something that I thought would be difficult but the real difficulty is sorting all the information, uploading it to the computer and filing it away.

This program has helped me to work in different situations, inside an office as well in other people’s homes. I have learned how to deal not only with adults but with the children of the participants in other words how to act. The lunch that we have together has allowed for everyone to get to know each other and be comfortable it has also been a good tool in helping us with our speech skills so we can be prepared for our presentations on the projects that we took on. The lunch that we had with the undergrads forced us to talk with people we really did not know and to find a way to come out of the awkward situation and present ourselves to each person over and over again to eliminate some of the nervousness that we had. I feel as though everything we are doing with in this program is to prepare for when we have a large audience that way we will be confident when we have to speak on our individual projects.

Xiomara

The department in which I work in is the Channing Laboratory. We don’t have all the equipment that other labs have however, we do have computers, the work we do in the office is data entry. the data entry consisted of cross checking as well as finding errors on questionnaires and help with the master computer to a able to have the correct templates. We also do sorting of labels! My co-worker Roger and I are also working with the Access and the GUTS study. We learned how to talk to people over the phone and what we have to say if they want to be part of the study or if they would rather not. I was able to work on a questionnaire and to revise it so that it would be better and clear when being given to participants in the study. The data that we collect along with the data that we enter in the computer is being compiled and analyzed. The studies that we are assisting with are nation wide and have been going on for a large period of time.

Xiomara Garcia

What's your name?
Xiomara Garcia

What do you like to do in your free time?
Listen to music and hang out with friends

Describe what you're doing at RAP and how you feel about it.
I am entering data into the system and I am helping with the Access and GUTS program, so far I really like it because everyday it is something different.

Tell me a little about yourself. What kind of music do you like? What's your favorite color? What's your sign? What clothes do you like to wear?
I like all different types of music not just one, my favorite color is blue an purple, my sign is Pisces, I like to wear comfortable and casual clothes.

What's something cool or interesting you learned this week that you didn't know before?
I didn't know how many people were connected to the GUTS program and how long it has been going on for.

What's your dream job?
My dream job is to become a Psychologist or a Pediatrician.

Final (very important) question: Pancakes? Waffles? French toast??
Waffles