Letter from Boston

After Hours

By MASAKO YAMADA

Most of the new physics students this year are all taking the same three courses. We also share many hours in meetings, study groups, and casual departmental functions, so it's obvious that the same 25 or so people are spending a lot of time together. And it's sad but true that I don't see much of anybody else.

In spite of BU's size and incredibly varied student body, I rarely leave the science-oriented areas of campus, and I hardly ever talk to people outside of my own class. BU is known for having a large Japanese community (in the hundreds), but I speak less Japanese here than I did at Wellesley. In fact, during all the time I've spend here so far, I've only spoken Japanese once.

Even though I complain about my lack of social interaction, my classmates and I do often socialize during our free time. I don't think I've spent one weekend yet without getting together with my friends from the department to do something purely for fun.

For example, I once spent a fine post-exam evening drinking beer and talking about life with a couple of my classmates at a nearby park. My friends and I also recently spent a stormy Sunday morning drinking coffee and chit-chatting, and we have enjoyed many quick meals at the local pizza parlor. Even though our classes are time-consuming, there still seems to be no lack of opportunity for us to have fun together.

By the end of our first month of school, students were starting to throw private "house parties" in their apartments. I've gone to quite a lot of them already. These parties are among the few opportunities I have to meet people outside my department. That's because many of my classmates' roommates are not affiliated with the physics department.

Most of the people at these parties turn out to be international students, though. Since about 80 percent of physics department students are internationals, it's not too surprising that many of their friends also come from other countries.

It's interesting that house parties have a very different feel depending on who initially plans them. This is true even though many of the same people show up each time.

At Alexei's party the central activity was dancing. Then Andjelka threw a party in which the main course was the main course, in other words the delicious Yugoslavian dinner that she prepared herself. And this weekend Matt is having a party which will probably feature a keg of beer as its guest of honor.

Each party is different because the individuals' personalities shine through. Just because we're all physics students doesn't mean we all have boring, cookie-cutter personalities! Our differences help keep us from getting tired of each other even while spending so much time together.

Still, I have to admit that I particularly enjoyed the party I went to yesterday, because the group was so different from the typical bunch of people I've been socializing with lately. My Wellesley friend, Amy, had her 22nd birthday party, and most of her guests were Wellesley students from the Class of 1996 who still live in the Boston area. This party was (according to plan) a cocktail/potluck/karaoke party, but more than anything, it was an opportunity for us to reminisce.

I never even met many of Amy's party guests while I was at Wellesley, so it was as ironic as it was comfortable for us to get together in this kind of setting. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and I've even started to make plans to throw a party of my own. It should be a party for my current classmates, my fellow Wellesley alumnae, and my roommates all to come together.

Shukan ST: Nov. 15, 1996

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