Important Guests. Important Conversations.

Susie Jakes: Inaugural Light Fellow

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:37:33 -0400

In a rare opportunity, we get a chance to interview one of the very first Light Fellows, Susie Jakes, who heard about the fellowship in a chance encounter that almost certainly changed her life's trajectory forever. She recounts for us these and other details of her journey so far, including her role as a reporter in Beijing in breaking "The Truth About SARS," as Time Magazine headlined during that rather scary time.

Megan McLaughlin and Erica Smith, Part 2

Fri, 8 Feb 2008 13:40:45 -0500

In part 2 of this two-part Podcast, we hear mainly from Megan McLaughlin, who spent a term in Taiwan before backpacking solo throughout the mainland and then attending IUP in the spring. Along the way, she goes from struggling with chopsticks to conquering horrendously long train rides through all reaches of a foreign land. Finally, we hear from both Erica and Megan about why they joined the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) as its President and Vice President.

Megan McLaughlin and Erica Smith, Part 1

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 10:22:42 -0500

Megan McLaughlin '09 and Erica Smith '08, both two-time Light Fellowship winners, discuss everything from teachers dressing up as Pandas to going hungry due to lack of chopstick ability. Oh, then there's stuff about visiting with the President of the United States and backpacking solo to seldom visited areas of China.

Natalia Montuori, Class of 2004, Part 2

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 16:42:30 -0500

In the second part of our talk, Natalia gives out some free career advice, some reflections on her own career path, and some final thoughts than any Yale student contemplating language study abroad simply shouldn’t miss.

Natalia Montuori, Class of 2004, Part 1

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:39:24 -0500

In this first of two parts of our PodCast with Natalia, who is the President of the Yale Club of Beijing among other amazing things!, we delve into the decision-making process about studying overseas before graduation, right after graduation, and then working in Beijing ever since...

Professor Deborah Davis, Sociology (China)

Sat, 5 Jan 2008 00:38:35 -0500

Professor Deborah Davis, noted Sociologist and an expert on China, discusses a wide range of topics with the Director of the Light Fellowship, Kelly McLaughlin. The conversation ranges from what interested Professor Davis in China in the first place, to why becoming a Yale student herself just might “solve my problems.”

Professor Harvey Goldblatt, Master of Pierson College

Thu, 3 Jan 2008 09:28:27 -0500

Master Goldblatt discusses his multi-lingual, multi-cultural background. Along the way, he mentions a few regrets (not continuing to study Chinese!) and a lot of insight about Yale’s study abroad culture, including his impressions about Light-approved language teaching sites in Seoul and Beijing, from where Master Goldblatt has just returned after conducting visits for the Light Fellowship.