One-Week Visit To Stanford University

Written by Tiana Desker

I had a fairly clear idea of what I wanted to do in that one week-experience the things one experiences at college, making four years into one week. My wonderfully helpful hosts, Gwenda and Jo-ann, helped to shepherd me in my sampling of the various facets, academic and otherwise, of Stanford life.

Books and Learning

The high point of academic adventure was to be the Jacques Derrida lecture, my first encounter with a famous philosopher in person. As it turned out, earlier enthusiasm notwithstanding, I was left rather disappointed, leaving with the distinct impression that perhaps language is ineffective in the conveyance of meaning after all.

From left to right: Myself (Tiana Desker), Jo-ann, Gwenda.

I had better luck in my selections from the course catalog, which I based upon the eager praise (or warning) of students who had the benefit of hindsight. These led me to a lecture on American history by a Professor David Kennedy, which had me enthralled not only by the sheer breadth of coverage, but by the many telling anecdotes or quotes that succeeded in the ultimate goal of the historian, "to make the dead alive". It was with delight that I opened The Economist the next week to find a glowing review of Prof. Kennedy's most recent book, enabling me to turn to my father and announce, "I've been to this guy's lecture!"

While attending classes might have been expected, it was with surprise and disbelief that my classmates in Singapore received the news that I had spent part of my vacation in the library. Jetlag and undone homework led me one sleepless night to the 24-hour study room in the Meyer Library. It was 2 a.m. and it was packed. This anecdote has now changed the opinions of countless Singaporeans as to the study habits of American students, who are not in fact as deprived of learning as many would rather believe.

Quality of Life

Dorm life is more comfortable than I had expected. The well-stocked kitchens, colorful inhabitants, midnight poker games, and shared philosophical musings will be remembered. It was a rare chance to be immersed in an environment where the people are of so many different backgrounds that, in fact, everybody is a minority, or perhaps, such terms no longer apply.

It was with interest and amusement that I watched election campaigning getting underway. My favourite was the campaign of an alas non-existent candidate whose posters proclaimed: " Harrison Ford. (Picture of Harrison Ford reading book.) He reads books. You read books. Vote Harrison Ford. "

Among the other events of the one week, I also had the pleasure of lounging in the Oval and reading a favourite book, watching a student production of Jesus Christ Superstar, jogging around Lake Lagunita, learning to swing dance and to play pool properly, and adding some new words to my vocabulary ('sketchy' and 'Co Ho' among them).

Playing the Tourist

From left to right: Friend, another friend, Gwenda, and myself (Tiana Desker).

I was determined to see a bit of San Francisco beyond the main tourist destinations, so I caught the Caltrain and headed in the direction of the Mission District. After several wrong turns and the occasional 'lost feeling' there were signs that I had arrived-the line of palm trees, the salsa music blaring from car radios and the turn of conversation from English to Spanish. I visited Mission Dolores, took in the beautiful murals, enjoyed a wonderfully juicy burrito, and reaped the advantage of travelling alone in being able to stop and talk to the people, all of whom were friendly and very helpful.

Last Words

All in all, my one week at Stanford was a joy, and for it I must thank those who made it possible, Mr. and Mrs. Satterthwaite, my hosts Jo-ann and Gwenda, and the many Stanford students who lent me their spare beds, showed me how to operate the dishwasher, gave directions or helped me in some way or another.