New College is not just about academics. My friend put it well when he said that it's a total "mind, body, spirit" experience. I never fail to be amazed by the strange and wonderful idiosyncrasies of this place. One night I was bundled up in blankets with my friend in Palm Court. It was so nice outside that we decided to do homework and sleep under the stars. As we were lying down a person in a Star Wars costume walked by us while holding a light saber. In the morning we startled people who were on their way to class when our alarm clock went off.
I've attended events on a wide range of topics including queer theory, globalization, independent media, Immokalee farm workers, non-violent communication, alternative energy, global warming, genocide in Darfur, gender equality, and a number of other things. My favorite speakers have been Democracy Now host Amy Goodman and transgender activist Riki Wilchins. There are also tons of fun things to do like potlucks, avant-garde film screenings, shows, critical mass, body paint themed parties, and dance offs! I try to keep a healthy balance of academics and extracurricular activities. The skillshare events have been a blast. They've had workshops on a wide range of things including biodiesel processing, meditation, screen-printing, and bike repair. There's definitely something for everyone here.
