Bridge 5

Mohammad Modarres, A&S '11

Read about the experiences Mohammad had while attending Johns Hopkins University.

Favorite classes and why
My favorite class? It's a five-way tie... I mean you might as well ask me what my favorite Michael Jackson album is. The answer? "ALL OF THEM!"
"Global Health Since World War II" with Professor Galambos. He is the BEST lecturer at Hopkins. "Are you serious?!" You will ask. "Did I stutter?" I will reply.
It is especially a great course to take at the end of your time at Hopkins because it wraps everything up and makes you wonder about a lot of things in the development and public health world as you step into that environment as a professional. As a graduate student I still use his notes.
“Urban Health & Advocacy” was the first course I took that connected faces and real stories to social issues, allowing me to grasp the notion of public health as more than just the study of disease prevention. It was taught by Dr. Goodyear who is the best advisor and mentor a naive college student (like myself) could have asked for. I still try to bug him from time to time.
"Bioethics" with Hilary Bok. You will either love or hate this class. I loved it. Personally, I think every pre-med know it all should take it. It will make you think about the social side of the profession you want to go into (which is underrated and crucial). It will make you think about a bunch of topics you never critically thought about. And if you take it seriously, it will even change your ethics on a lot of health issues.
“Social & Political Activism” now known as "Leading for Social Change" introduced me to examples of effective change makers, and gave an insight into the skills I must have when I lead initiatives. Thanks to an anonymous donation, the course gives seed funding to the best plan(s) in the class. It was my first introduction to "social entrepreneurship" and I never looked back. However, like what it is trying to teach, it favors students who are self driven. Dr. Smedick does an incredible job introducing you to the field and opening the door for you. You must walk through it. (yes, I DID just quote the Matrix)
“Energy, Vulnerability, & War” led me to an epiphany—if we continue to ignore our planet, it will truly go away (soon). Introducing me to the challenge and complexity of environmental issues was Dr. Brent Blackwelder, a guy who led Friends of the Earth from the early 1970s. I have met few more people in my life so far who have his incredible level of drive and passion. This is an Aitchison Public Service course (located at the DC campus) and you will be in a class with a bunch of grad students as a junior/senior. Do not be discouraged. If you took Environment and Your Health (a public health core class) you are prepared. Speak up and give your thoughts.

Pre-professional Advice
This is tough especially during freshman year when you are meeting your first Professors and advisors. When I declared my major I began going straight to my course advisor (not academic advising). However, I did this into my second semester because I knew exactly what major I wanted to be.

Good places to study on/off campus
I was a M-level kid because 1. I love (and need) natural light and 2. it has open space. It was the only level of the library to have been designed by an architect (actually I have no idea but the fact that someone would design a library to only go further under ground shocks me)

Professors and TAs
Read what the Professor assigns.
Success in the classroom is a crazy cycle and it kinda goes like this: read before class --> know what (s)he's talking about --> raise your hand when (s)he asks a question --> answer politely. It is usually followed by getting props from the Professor, making new friends who respect you, becoming really popular, etc. ...

Textbooks
Online

Favorite Internship
The Woodrow Wilson Fellowship gave me three years to do whatever research I wanted. I went from DC (with the Aitchison Fellowship) to South Africa (working with grassroots organizations in Khayelitsha Township). I found the programs and internships I wanted with a lot of persistence. I got help from the Career Center. I asked my advisors and my Professors. I emailed, and emailed, and emailed. If you want something, you have to prove it.

Best Place to Live
Best: 100 West for off campus housing.
Worse: The only housing regret I have is not being in a more social setting during my freshman year. Some people had that at Wolman. I didn't. I still had a great time at Wolman, but all the people I met my senior year (and thought "dang, I wish I knew these guys earlier") were living on the quad. Sure the living condition is not as great, but I doubt it matters if you are not connecting and meeting people.

Bring this, not that to campus
A nice fitting suit/balling dress. You will be going to at least one interview, dance, etc. As my grandma always says "Dress fly. Be fly." Okay, maybe that's what I wish my granny would say but you get the point. "Look the part." It matters.
Not so useful ... most people bring too many clothes. Its not necessary to bring five pairs of jeans or eight pairs of shoes. A general rule I have made for myself is to be able to pack all of my clothes (excluding fancy clothes) in one big suitcase. This is especially a good tip to follow if you are traveling from the West Coast.

Roomates
1. Join intramural sports teams. Oh the memories...
2. Join clubs that you are passionate about. Tip: do not exceed two clubs a semester. After trying out a couple your freshman year, stick to one or two and stick with them for the rest of your time at Hopkins. Learn how to go up the leadership ladder and pass on the torch to the undergrads as you get older. These skills are important. A lot of times what you learn outside of the classroom can become even more valuable than what you learn inside the classroom.
...and have fun doing both.

On Campus Dining
Silk Road's bubble tea and Thai ice team are great. So is its cold noodle salad. I hated myself when I found out about these options my senior year.

Stay Informed
Daily Announcements. READ THEM EVERYDAY... or at 3:34AM when they first come out

Best On Campus Resource
The pink/red/blue/neon green sheets at the entrance of the Career Center that give you tips on resume writing, interviewing, etc. They are very useful.

Experience Baltimore
You have something that most of us wish we when were your age (do I sound like your parents yet?). It's called the Circulator and its awesome. Take the shuttle to Penn Station. Then take the Circulator to different parts of town (for FREE!) Grab a group of friends and explore. Try not to be alone / be in a group when you can - your facebook pictures and your parents will thank you for that.
...Be part of the city as soon as you can. I decided to volunteer at a homeless shelter and it (seriously) changed my life.