Elena Lovejoy

Why did you choose to study at Bard College Berlin? 
I started looking for schools in Berlin because I have always been fascinated with art and history and this city seemed like the perfect place for me. When I found BCB, it imediately jumped to the top of my list. I believed the creativity, social engagement, and access to Berlin that studying at BCB offers would introduce and hone skills that I could employ in many different fields after college. I have diverse interests, so I thought the core curriculum and classes offered at BCB could help me connect to a wide range of subjects, and I was excited to gain new perspectives and connect with people and cultures that I am unfamiliar with. The small class sizes also factored into my decision, as they would let me dive deeper into discussions and forge more meaningful connections within the community. Ultimately, I thought that studying at BCB would be the perfect place to fulfill the adventurous, challenging, unique, and enriching college experience that I hoped to have. I am really glad I chose BCB!

How would you describe our community in a nutshell?
The BCB community is warm and diverse and engaging and it is easy to form connections and celebrate one another.

Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
I enjoy studying in my kitchen in T25 or in the W15 Cafe. They are very cozy!

Are you involved in any student clubs or organizations? If so, which ones?
I live in the ABC House! ABC stands for "Artists/Activists Building Community" and we are a group of students focused on interpersonal connection and peer support in the BCB campus community.

Favorite book you read in a class, and why?
As I am writing this during the first semester of my first year, I have not yet read too many books in classes at BCB. However, I am enjoying reading "The Republic" as part of my first core class. Though the book is dense and occassionally hard to understand, the in-class discussions I have been a part of make it totally worth the read.

Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you.
It is hard to choose, but I am currently taking both a painting class and a marble stone sculpture class that I absolutely love! In painting, I am always excited to go to the studio and see what my classmates have created as well as spend time creating art of my own. My teacher has led our class on some tours of galleries in the city which give us an amazing way to connect with the vast art scene of Berlin. The stone sculpture class is also wonderful. I never imagined that creating a marble statue would be something available to me, but I love tackling this form of art I have never tried before. I may not be the best at it yet, but I am learning that it is definitely a lovely medium to delve into!

What surprised you the most about BCB?
I was most surprised at how easy it was to make friends and how much time I have to explore! I was worried that people coming from all different backgrounds would make it harder to form connections and that balancing classes, extracurriculars, and studying would make my schedule ridiculously packed. Within the first few days of getting here, I realized that wouldn't be an issue. Everyone is amazingly easy to get along with, and my schedule still leaves plenty of time to discover the city!

Your favorite thing to do in Berlin on the weekends?
I like going out with friends, finding good food (especially late night Döner Kebabs), walking though parks and museums, and meeting interesting people. Everywhere I go there is something funky and fun to do :)

What are your plans for after BCB?
I honestly don't know yet. I would love to travel more and connect with more places and cultures around the globe. I am considering going into art restoration and musem work as it combines two of my favorite topics: art and history. So perhaps I will go for an apprenticeship or maybe a graduate degree.

What does a liberal arts education mean to you?
I think that the interdisciplinary and open approach to tackling real world issues is a fascinating and important way to navigate a college education. I have felt myself becoming a more active and aware global citizen since I've gotten to BCB. The liberal arts philosophy creates a safe and responsive place which feeds my curiosity and allows me to connect, disagree, debate, and understand the people around me. It is teaching me to be firm in my values but not intolerant of differing ideas. A liberal arts education also means offering a wide range of interesting and important subjects for people to study. I want to take full advantage of the interdisciplinary approach and explore my interests in the intellectually stimulating environment it supplies. The skills and perspective I hone here will help me successfully navigate my life after college and become the best version of me I can.