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Sebastian Paine

In a word, Sebastian is passionate about people. He enjoys meeting, talking to, and listening to the stories of everyone he encounters. This interest in the lives and cultures of those around him spurs his academic interests, international relations, human rights, and languages. He is involved in a few clubs such as Gender-Sexuality Alliance and Feminist Club, and also serves as president of the Model United Nations team. His goals for the year are to do one thing every day that scares him, become fluent in Hindi (and hopefully Marathi), and try not to forget Spanish. A quote that inspires him is "Podríçn cortar todas las flores, pero no podríçn detener la primavera" ("They can cut all the flowers, but they can't stop the spring") by Pablo Neruda because it urges perseverance in the face of adversity and a commitment never to give up.

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Advice for your gap year, from someone who’s been there

Sebastian Paine

2017-05-11

There is, by definition, (or perhaps more accurately, by intrinsic nature) no “right” way to experience your bridge year. It’s an intensely personal period of growth, learning, and challenge that my words can in no way instruct you on or prepare you for. No two people will have the same experience. This blog relates particularly...

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In Loving Memory of Myself

Sebastian Paine

2017-04-18

There's a saying that goes a bit like this: you can never step into the same river twice – for the river will not be the same, nor will you. Many moons ago, I wrote a blog while five or six miles up in the sky, on the way to spend my Global Citizen Year...

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Indian Perspectives on the U.S. Presidential Election

Sebastian Paine

2016-11-09

Before you read, it should be noted that: This was, by no stretch of the imagination, a scientific endeavor. The image of Indian opinion that this piece paints is representative only of those few I spoke to in my family, not the common views in India as a whole. This is also not meant to...

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A sleep-deprived reflection on Pre-Departure Training

Sebastian Paine

2016-08-27

I've taken three naps in the past couple of hours, but something keeps throwing me from my dreams and back into this cramped airplane seat. I'm not sure if this "cramped-ness" is purely physical, or a product of the fact that I am welling up with excitement, bursting at the seams with anticipation, and overflowing...

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#collegecanwait: Why I’m not attending my dream school (yet)

Sebastian Paine

2016-08-04

High school is a paradox. We, as students and as human beings, are at once created and destroyed. We grow, learn, and pursue new interests and hobbies. Thus, we are built up into who we are. At the same time, we are beaten down by a cycle of academic competition, peer pressure, and ruthless standardized testing. We are told that...

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