A deeply sincere and enthusiastic character, Ethan is excited about all things Explo and beyond! He shares his love for the friends that he’s made, the classes that he takes and the memories that he’s built.
It’s my second year at Explo. I went to Wellesley before. I feel like Yale is different in a sense that it’s a little bit less structured, but that’s actually a positive in my opinion, because I get to spend a lot of time with my friends and I get to meet a lot of new people from all over the world. There’s no other place where you could meet people from Lebanon and Brazil in the same place, which is something so unique to Explo.
The thing that I love about Explo the most is that everyone here is so accepting. I have never really seen an environment where you can share your opinion and be heard, and not be criticized. At Explo, I am comfortable sharing what makes me the person that I am. Everyone here comes from backgrounds that are so different, yet everyone is so open and accepting of everyone else. It’s something that I really can’t find anyplace else.
Everyone here comes from backgrounds that are so different, yet everyone is so open and accepting of everyone else. It’s something that I really can’t find anyplace else.
I am taking Model UN and Politics in the Media, which is a great class. Richard is such a good teacher. The main thing I’ve learned [in my class] is about bias in the media, which is something really prevalent. It’s something that you wouldn’t think of as being very important, but it really shapes your beliefs. If you tune in and watch only a certain channel, you’re only going to get that perspective. Something that I’ve definitely learned is to view a bunch of different opinions with the same type of respect. And even if I don’t agree with someone and something, I need to inspect it, so it gives me a better perspective – all different sides of the issue. And that’s not something that I’ve really been looking at before.
What I really like about the Explo classes is – I mean, the ECDMs are great – but another thing that sets it apart is that the instructors are young, so they understand where I’m coming from. They understand my beliefs. They are not reading straight out of a textbook and just reciting lines. A lot of these courses and topics aren’t something I could explore in school. Here, I can explore interests that I didn’t really know I had.
When I grow up, I am definitely interested in politics and communications. I want to be like a radio host for a sports talk radio show, but I am very interested in politics, and at Explo, I feel like it really shapes my views a lot. I hear so many different diverse opinions and I kind of mold all of that and I get my own view. I can really forge my beliefs here.
Some of the memories that I’ve made here I am going to cherish and remember for the rest of my life.
It’s so different from my home. Everyone here is so real and honest. I know that when I’m talking to someone, I’m not talking to someone fake. I am talking to someone who cares and respects who I am. That’s the greatest part. Some of the memories that I’ve made here I am going to cherish and remember for the rest of my life. I am definitely going to be very nostalgic when I leave, but… I mean, it really has been another summer of great memories.
Mari Armei