Omar Curiel remembers a time when campus parties were far more lit, and you could live it up (without fear of pandemic).

Name, School, Major, Hometown:
Omar Curiel, CC, Visual Arts, Fayetteville, AR :)

Claim to fame:
idk I’m 22

Where are you going?
idk I’m 22

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2024?

  1. Go out as much as you can now. You might not be able to go out later @ coronavirus.
  2. Whatever you’re doing is enough. Everyone is behind on their readings—you’re not alone.
  3. Have a lot of sex. You might not be able to later @ coronavirus.

“Back in my day…”
Q Haus parties were actually lit, and we played spin the bottle on weekday nights

Favorite Columbia controversy?
Loved when the straights flipped out abt SOPHIE performing at Bacchanal

What was your favorite class at Columbia?
Hispanic Cultures II with O*** D****-G***** changed my life. The prof exposed me to writers and artists like Salvador Novo, Sor Inez de la Cruz, Pedro Almodovar, Teresa Margolles (and the SEMEFO art group), and Paul B. Preciado, among other Spanish language thinkers. I remember sitting in his class, thinking: WTF am I doing here? Why am I sitting here, right now, studying what I’m studying, questioning not only my own streams of consciousness but my entire life trajectory. Within the same week, I convinced myself to pursue the artistic endeavors I’d dreamt of since before I wanted to be an architect upon learning the title in the 4th grade. My Contemporary Civilizations professor was also INCREDIBLE! CC exposed me to the origins of many ideas that had been but a mystery to me before. My CC professor truly got to know her students and even gave me personal book recommendations during office hours—from which I’ve learned and indulged immensely.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese?
Easy: cheese; I’m vegan

Whom would you like to thank?
Okay, so appreciation is this week’s meditation mantra…definitely my parents, but I can’t answer this q fully rn

One thing to do before graduating:
I need some to bring me back to lifeeeeee

Any regrets?
None !!!

a Zoom icon via Omar Curiel