Political science major Tiffany Nguyen ’16 is thinking about a career in law. Though she has already taken a few courses that touched on legal theory during her time at Haverford, she wanted to tackle a more general law course, one that would give her an idea of the kind of material that might be covered in law school. While Haverford doesn’t offer such a class, the University of Pennsylvania does, and Nguyen was eager to take advantage of the Quaker Consortium that allows a four-college exchange program between the Tri-Co schools and Penn.
We spoke with Nguyen about her experience on our partner campus, her commute downtown, and what she’s learned about Haverford from taking a class at another school.
Haverford College: What class are you taking?
Tiffany Nguyen: I’m taking “Introduction to Law and Legal Studies.”
HC: Why are you taking it at Penn?
TN: I have never taken a Penn course before and, since I’m graduating this May, I did not want to miss out on the opportunity. I am also interested in pursuing a career in law, and this course provides an overview of the different topics one could expect to cover whilst in law school.
HC: What are the advantages to taking class at Penn?
TN: One of the advantages of taking a Penn course is that you can gain a different perspective. I think it’s important to find ways to remind yourself that there is a world outside of Haverford. Taking this course at Penn has reaffirmed my appreciation for the intimate, seminar-style Haverford courses. The vibe does feel different between the two campuses, but at the end of the day, I think my education has more texture because I have the option and opportunity to immerse myself in a small liberal arts environment and a larger research university.
HC: How easy is it to get to class downtown?
TN: I take the train into Philadelphia. Commuting is very easy because there are two train stations at either end of Haverford’s campus. I live in the Haverford College Apartments (HCA), so my walk to the Ardmore train station is only about 12 minutes.
HC: How does your Penn class fit into the rest of your schedule?
TN: The course fits nicely into my schedule. My class is in the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 4:20 p.m., and I have a Bryn Mawr class in the morning, so I have plenty of time at Haverford and Bryn Mawr before I need to go into the city. I actually joined the class a bit later [in the semester], but the professor was very accommodating and I caught up with the material quickly.
HC: Have you gotten to take advantage of your time in West Philly outside the classroom?
TN: I like to drink coffee, and I have visited several coffee shops around the area. One of the nice things about my Penn experience is the independence. I think it’s important to get off campus and see different faces and scenery.
-Photos by Hina Fathima ’15