Abroad Perspectives: Astha Kiran KC ’21 returns from England
BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21
Photo courtesy of Astha Kiran Kc ’21
Astha Kiran Kc ’21 spent her fall semester abroad in London, England.
Astha Kiran KC ’21 just returned from a semester abroad in London. As an economics major, she studied at the University College London — a public research university — and took liberal arts courses focusing in economics.
What was the most memorable moment of your experience?
At the end of term, I took part in the sustainable fashion show as a model and walked for creative student designers and prominent sustainable fashion brands in London.
What was the hardest thing to adjust to?
The weather! I thought New England was bad and then I went to England — it was honestly really bad. I got about 15 days of sunshine in the three months that I was there.
Was there anything that happened that surprised or struck you as unexpected?
How friendly and approachable the people were. Most of the people at my university were always ready to help and it was quick to make friends.
What was your favorite new food that you tried?
I followed a travel blog’s advice and went to this super cute chocolate-themed cafe. I tried their hot chocolate, and it was probably the best chocolate-related food I’ve ever tried.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to study abroad?
It’s going to be hard at first and you are going to miss Mount Holyoke, but you will create your own happiness as you explore new places, meet new people and discover your own favorite places abroad.
Any other stories or experiences that you want to share?
While I was in London, I went to Edinburgh and it was surreal to see how magical the city was! I took a Harry Potter tour with a local guide and visited the grave that inspired the names of many, many Harry Potter characters.
Hong Kong protests are minor success
Sudan protesters met with state violence
Amazonian fires threaten regional biodiversity and rainforest life
Second annual Irish Fest celebrates Irish music and dance
BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21
Mount Holyoke’s Folk Music and Dance Society (FMDS) hosted their second annual Irish Fest, celebrating Irish music, dance and heritage, on the night of Saturday, March 23. An Irish flag hung vertically against the window of the Abbey-Buckland multipurpose space as traditional Irish instrumental music played and students and community members ate soda bread, sipped ginger beer and took their seats.
Lainie LaRonde ’20
U.S. and Russia pull out of nuclear treaty
BY CASEY ROEPKE
In the two years since Donald Trump’s inauguration, his relationship with Russia has been questioned many times. From Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election to a dossier claiming Trump once paid prostitutes to urinate on a bed in Moscow, Trump and Russia have become inextricable in the American consciousness. However, this close relationship was strained when the U.S. government, under the instruction of President Trump, dropped out of a nuclear arms control treaty on Feb. 1. The move was matched by Russia, where President Putin also suspended the treaty.
Abroad Perspective
Tensions escalate at the U.S.-Mexico border
BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21
When asylum-seekers reach the U.S.-Mexico border, they have not yet reached the end of their long journey — they are only at the beginning. After traveling for days or weeks with limited resources, migrants still have to go through legal processes of requesting asylum. On Nov. 25, tensions around the border escalated to a visible breaking point at the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry in San Diego, California.
Trump threatens to take away path to legal birthright citizenship
BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21
President Donald Trump announced plans for an executive order to end birthright citizenship for Americans on Oct. 30. Political pundits and journalists were quick to announce that birthright citizenship is a constitutional guarantee that would take an act of Congress to amend. According to the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
Murder of Saudi journalist brings to light the dangers of reporting
“Brazilian Trump” gains popularity after being stabbed at rally
BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21
With upcoming presidential elections in October, Brazilian politics are boiling over. Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right front-runner, was stabbed at an election rally on Sept. 6. His fiercest opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is currently in jail for the infamous “Operation Cash War” corruption scandal, was barred from running as a presidential candidate by the Brazilian Superior Electoral Tribunal. His hand-picked successor, Fernando Haddad, also faces charges of corruption.
Hampshire Library Lawn turns into rainbow at Holi
BY CASEY ROEPKE '21
On Saturday, April 21, students from the Five Colleges gathered on the Hampshire College Library Lawn to celebrate Holi. Students threw colored powder at one another, soaking their clothing with blue and green and filling the sky with bright plumes of pink and orange. The water gun fights and hoses sprayed festival-goers with plenty of water, ensuring the rainbow of powdered colors saturated the skin of the students themselves.
Malala Yousafzai returns to Pakistan for the first time in six years
Assassination of first black woman in Brazilian government unites activists
Preventing “fake news” becomes relevant international policy
BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21
The phenomenon of fake news, spotlighted recently in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, is not a new occurrence. Russia’s alleged interference during the campaign, via Facebook and other social media sites, was not the first time news was fabricated to alter the results of an election. In an episode of “Backstory,” a weekly history podcast, historian Mark Summers discussed the practices of “Gilded Age-era elections” and argued that past politicians consistently published lies about their opponents in newspapers in order to sway public opinion. However, before examining the effects of fake news in the U.S. and around the world, it is important to precisely define “fake news.”
Ballistic missile scare highlights vulerability of the Pacific region
BY CASEY ROEPKE ’18
After months of conflict and Twitter warfare between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, residents and visitors of Hawaii were greeted by what appeared to be the culmination of North Korea’s nuclear threats: an emergency warning message, reading “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”