Lucari Jordan
USA
BA in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought '21
Currently: Commercial Associate at Aurora Energy Research
Looking back, what did you most enjoy about your time at Bard College Berlin?BA in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought '21
Currently: Commercial Associate at Aurora Energy Research
The fact that we could always talk to or debate with our professors at eye level. That, and the friends I made, of course.
How would you describe, in a nutshell, the experience of studying at BCB?
It went quicker than it felt, was more exciting then it seemed, and taught me more than I knew.
Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you.
It's difficult to choose just one as they work as a whole. One of my most memorable courses was Boris Vormann's Future of Work class. This course guided us from a historical analysis of how the labor market developed (I still bring up Theda Skocpol's "Protecting Soldiers and Mothers" at house parties, perhaps too often) through modern market design and issues towards a consideration of what future systems could be (and how to avoid the dreaded 'bullshit job' described by Graeber).
How has BCB influenced the path you've taken since completing the program?
Personally, BCB did a lot to help me become a more flexible and resilient person with respect to living abroad and working with diverse people. Socially, BCB introduced me to people who would become my chosen family away from home. Intellectually, BCB influenced me by not influencing me and allowing me to chase tangents down rabbit holes, find the things that held my attention and felt important, and then question those things.
Where are you now and what are you doing?
I have remained in Berlin, and when not working in my role as a Commercial Associate at Aurora Energy Research selling economic analytics of the power market, I spend most of my time renovating my raw diamond of an apartment, crafting random things, or hanging out with friends at the cinema, opera, or out on the Tempelhofer Feld.
Any advice you would give to students considering BCB?
In order to get the most out of BCB, you should be open to learning about things you don't think are interesting or relevant to you, never take the question's assumptions for granted, consider texts critically but also constructively, and talk to your professors regularly. If you do most of those things, you'll come out of BCB with a better idea of what you're good at and what you want to do, as well as also being prepared to work toward what you want to achieve in a myriad of different ways.