A Spark of Magic in Salamanca We spend our entire lives searching for magic – for that spark that animates us, that allows us to access a state of being far removed from daily routine. In my case, I found that spark five thousand miles from home, in a gorgeous college town to the west of Madrid. I’d embarked on a two-week journey to Salamanca for a Spanish immersion program, a trip I hoped would provide a refreshing distraction from...

I was drawn to Yale for the following reasons: an emphasis on the balanced human being through growth of the mind, body and soul; a focus on the undergraduate student through the residential college support system and close contact with the faculty; the strength of Yale traditions and student identity; and the presence of a horizon-free field of opportunities for students like me who have a number of passions they are interested in pursuing.

Passionate Perfectionism I was recently asked to describe myself in two words – a tough task for anyone, but one I found particularly painful to complete, given that it’s hard for me to do it even in 500 words. I went home and thought about it for a while; ten Kit-Kat wrappers and two cups of tea later, I was rolling around my living room floor in despair. Then, just before my collision with the coffee table, the answer hit me....