You may not have found the owl, but you found some good lighting.

There are some things that you just can’t learn inside the classroom. Senior Justice Betty has a couple of things that you can learn before your brain turns to mush over the summer.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Justice Betty, GS (Dual BA with Sciences Po), Political Science, Toronto

Claim to fame: I forgot to look for Alma’s owl, but I guess everything worked out.

Where are you going? This summer, I am going back to my roots in the Caribbean. Followed by a return to my home and native land, and hopefully through work I’ll be going around the world Monday-Thursday.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2022? Go outside your comfort zone whenever you can with the intention of expanding your comfort zone over the next four years. Celebrate your wins as much as you mourn your losses. Be inspired by your peers, not intimidated. You’re here for a reason and bound to accomplish great things at Columbia and long after you leave Morningside Heights. Although things can get hectic, it is vitally important that you define success on your own terms. Take the time to figure out who you are and what you need to be more of your true self.

“Back in my day…” Paris was a mere 45 minutes away.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? My most enlightening classes at Columbia were Gender, Punishment and Justice with Professor Kaba, and Technology, Religion and the Future with Professor Kittay. Through these courses, I studied subjects that I had never even thought of before and learned so much about them and myself. My experiences in these two very distinct classes reaffirmed my love of learning for the sake of it. And thanks to Professor Kittay, and much to the dismay of my friends, I will probably never stop making references to the simulation.

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: I’ll refer that question to my simulator.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? How is that even a question?

Whom would you like to thank? Faith, Courtney and Nia.

One thing to do before graduating: Give a speech.

Any regrets? I wish I took the time to get lost in New York City more often. There’s so much to discover when you’re not looking for anything.

Image via Justice Betty