When I first looked beyond my home state of Texas for college opportunities, I never imagined that a two-week summer program at Harvard would give me a new perspective on academics, independence, and my future career.
As I was exploring colleges online, I came across Harvard’s Pre-College Program. Here was the perfect chance to test drive the experience of living far away from home while experiencing Harvard’s academics. I decided to apply to see how I would handle the challenge.
The On-Campus Experience
When I attended Harvard’s Pre-College Program in summer 2025, I spent two weeks on campus, dorming in Lowell House.
I was hoping the program would help me grow as a student and as person and I can confidently say that it did. I learned to manage my time better, to think more critically and independently, and to balance coursework with personal relationships.
As an aspiring diplomat, I also took this opportunity to support my career goals by taking the course “International Relations, Global Governance, and the United Nations.” My professor, Stefan Tschauko, who had worked at the United Nations, brought real-world expertise that brought the course material to life. His firsthand stories and experiences made the complex and abstract topics of international relations feel more tangible.
Harvard Academics
In addition to the social enrichment, the most impactful part of the Pre-College Program was the academic experience.
Through my coursework, I learned about the intricacies of the United Nations and its agencies, different theories of global governance, and the significance of established diplomatic norms under the Vienna Convention.
The academic environment of my International Relations classroom — a space shaped by diverse lived experiences — caused a paradigm shift that altered my view of diplomacy. I realized that diplomacy isn’t always confined to international forums; rather, it’s found in the simple act of connecting with peers from countries different from one’s own. This fostered a sense of global interconnectedness, mirroring the collaboration professional diplomats experience when working to advance humanity.
After taking this course, I felt even more excited about my decision to pursue a career in diplomacy. I also developed my interests through lectures or Pre-College academic exploration activities, and I was especially impressed by a session on how politics influences architecture. Hosted by Dr. Matthew Reichert, preceptor on social studies at Harvard, this lecture combined two of my lifelong interests: connecting the dots between governments of nations across the world and the buildings that house them.
Lifelong Friendships
The cultural diversity of the program and my fellow students were just as important to my experience. Students from about 20 different countries were represented in my international relations course, as well as a diverse range of political views. It was incredible that we shared the connection of our belief in the importance of the United Nations as an organization.
I spent hours with my new friends every day after class. We’d recap lessons, eat lunch, regroup in Blank Street (a coffee shop in Harvard Square), and study together. Spending so much time with students from around the world gave me new insights into international relations and the diverse perspectives that shape global diplomacy. These strong bonds have continued beyond Harvard — earlier today, I was speaking to a friend from Czechia that I met during the Pre-College Program.
My Advice to Future Pre-College Students
To any student attending Harvard’s Pre-College Program, my main advice is to be authentic and to be your true, unique self. While our similarities transcend our differences, our unique qualities are what enrich our experiences.
My next piece of advice to incoming Pre-College participants is to find a group of friends for each situation. For example, I had a friend group that shared similar studying and homework habits with me. One day, we spent six hours in the library, completing our individual essays on the difference between the schools of thought in International Relations.
I also found a friend group that shared my sense of adventure. Together, we took Cambridge by storm. Within the first 48 hours, we were navigating the T (the Boston area’s subway) to explore every corner of the city — including a few “essential” stops at classic American fast-food spots so our international friends could get a true taste of the culture.
Connecting with my classmates on orientation night was impactful to my experience during the program. Following Dr. Jacqueline Newcomb’s address to the program participants in orientation, I had the opportunity to eat in Annenberg dining hall with my classmates and get to know them more. Proctors took us to the building where our class would be held the next morning, which allowed me to rely less on Apple Maps. Take absolute advantage of the opportunity to get to meet the people who you’ll be with 24/7, inside and outside of class.
I also suggest students do some research about the program beforehand. I watched a lot of vlogs from people who’d attended the Pre-College Program and tuned in to Dr. Jacqueline Newcomb’s webinars; both of these resources helped give me a good understanding of what I could expect at Harvard.
Lastly, I’d tell incoming students to get off their phones! I’m a doom scroller, but I made the decision to put my phone down and connect with the people around me during the summer to learn, grow, and absorb all Harvard had to offer — it made a big difference.
Harvard’s Pre-College Program gave me an experience I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. The combination of academic rigor, cultural exchange, and personal growth was invaluable, and I left Harvard with not only lasting friendships but also a clearer vision of my future as a diplomat.
