The 2020-2021 academic year has brought with it many surprises and challenges. One of these challenges is that just about everything from classes to internships has been virtual. While difficult to navigate, at times, this also presents opportunities such as unprecedented location flexibility! Read on to learn more about how M&T’s are making the best of these times and staying connected from all over the world.
Rohit Majumdar – M&T ’22
Location: London, UK
Where are you in the world and what brought you there?
I am presently at my home in London, UK. I live in a green neighborhood called Hampstead, where city dwellers ran off to during the Great Plague of 1665; so it’s a great place to escape from COVID.
What have you been most grateful for in the past few months?
My parents’ unwavering support and strong friendships from college and high school. Also, just living in a really awesome city!
Any activity or hobby you have gotten into recently?
After binging an unhealthy amount of MasterChef Canada, I’ve started to cook and am enjoying the learning process thus far. I was also learning to drive, but my upcoming lessons were cancelled due to new Lockdown restrictions (sigh). Lastly, I’ve been watching some documentaries about Weimar Germany, which I’ve enjoyed learning about since high school.
Rohit is from London, UK and is pursuing a BSE in Mechanical Engineering and a BS in Economics from Wharton with a concentration in Finance.
Lynn Chen – M&T ’23
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Where are you in the world and what brought you there?
I’m currently back in Philadelphia with my roommates! I wanted to move into my new apartment and get back on campus because remote learning from home wasn’t great for my productivity.
What have you been most grateful for in the past few months? 
I’m grateful for my friends who have kept me sane over the past few months. Even though we’re not all together, we’ve connected virtually by doing Zoom calls and by playing Among Us. In addition, virtual classes definitely take some adjusting to, but taking the same ones as my friends has made the process a lot easier.
Any activity or hobby you have gotten into recently?
Before this year, I couldn’t even fry an egg by myself. However, since I’m living away from home this semester, I’ve realized that I have to feed myself and that I probably shouldn’t be eating Shake Shack for every meal (the Freshman 15 is real). I’ve gotten really into cooking and baking and I also started doing Orangetheory. Although I still spend way too much on Uber Eats every month, I’m definitely becoming more health-conscious. Health is wealth!
Lynn is from Toronto, Canada and is pursuing a BSE in Computer Science and a BS in Economics from Wharton with concentrations in Finance and Management.
Aliris Tang – M&T ’23
Location: Holetown, Barbados
Where are you in the world and what brought you there?
Holetown, Barbados! I’m originally from Portland, Oregon, but decided to take advantage of the remote semester and explore – with extreme COVID precautions – the limited places I could. I ended up in Barbados because the country’s done a phenomenal job handling the pandemic, it was cheap enough for me to pay for myself, and 4 of my friends (2 of them M&T’s!) were already here and had some extra space for me 🙂
What have you been most grateful for in the past few months?
We’ve all seen and experienced some terrible things this year… but I think there will always be something to appreciate, hang on to, and grow from, if you choose to see it.
For me, I’m grateful for 1) time alone the pandemic has given me to reflect on myself, my goals, and life in general, 2) the unexpected memories and decisions I made because of the pandemic, and 3) all the people who’ve stuck with me through it all. Y’all are the real ones. :’)
Any activity or hobby you have gotten into recently?
Gouache painting and photography!
I took art lessons when I was really young, but only recently got back into painting when I decided to paint my friend some mountains for her birthday card. I’ve been hooked on painting mini landscape studies ever since.
As for photography – I picked it up while living in Hawai’i this summer! I’m still learning, and think it’s such a beautiful way to capture stories, emotions, and memories.
Aliris is from Portland, Oregon and is pursuing a BSE in Computer Science and a BS in Economics from Wharton with a concentration in Business Analytics.
Shannon Lin – M&T ’22
Location: Holetown, Barbados
Where are you in the world and what brought you there?
Currently in Barbados (Holetown more specifically; we think it’s named that because there’s so many potholes here) with 4 other friends. Wanted to keep the Aloha spirit (10 of us were in Hawaii previously) and the only COVID-free place in the world accepting our 4 different passports with a good quarantine process was Barbados.
What have you been most grateful for in the past few months?
Always feel extremely lucky to not have to feel paranoid about coronavirus in my immediate surroundings (0 active cases here!) and be with awesome people. It’s also been an incredible experience working with 3 startups in the healthcare, transportation, and education space right now and thankful for Penn alums creating that opportunity.
Any activity or hobby you have gotten into recently?
“Learned” how to surf in Hawaii (mostly involved spinning around underwater). But I have been spooked by the way larger waves here so I haven’t gotten around to continue surfing. Codenames has been a fun go-to on rainy days!
Shannon (M&T ‘22) is from Troy, Michigan and is pursuing a BSE in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science and a BS in Economics from Wharton with an individualized concentration in Finance of Healthcare Innovation.
Adya Aggarwal – M&T ’22
Location: Shimla, India
Where are you in the world and what brought you there?
I am in Shimla, India, and I’ve been here since August. I decided to spend the semester here because I wanted to be closer to family.
What have you been most grateful for in the past few months?
I am most grateful for dinners with my family and home-cooked food. Also having a quiet place to study at home has been a blessing.
Any activity or hobby you have gotten into recently?
I have picked up playing my ukulele again. I have been able to also paint the outer walls of my terrace, so that has been fun!
Adya (M&T ‘22) is from Shimla, India and is pursuing a BSE in Systems Science and Engineering with a minor in Math and a BS in Economics from Wharton with a concentration in Finance.
This post was contributed by Ayotomiwa Akinyele (M&T ’23)