Kathy Tran ’26
By Kathy Tran ’26
As a kid from Houston, Texas, arriving at COA in the dead of winter was startling, to say the least. Now that I do winter dips in the ocean next to our school, I’d say it’s actually not too bad! However, I’d still recommend swimming with a buddy just in case. Another recommendation from experience is not to schedule your classes on the same days (especially with work-study and more jobs) like I did this term. And as I reflect, there might have been more than just a few small victories since I've gotten here. Coming to COA has pushed me beyond what I once considered my limits. Each time that happens, I feel like I've been reforged for the better. Without really realizing it, I have grown as a student, a friend, and a person.
Introduction to the Legal Process
Introduction to the Legal Process with Ken Cline. Phew. I don't know when I started to want to be a lawyer. I knew that on TV, the law is used for its dramatic potential and actual law can be more than soul-draining; still, I saw enough appeal to strap myself to the rails. Kidding. I had a more civic background in high school and made the pivot to science in college. I realized that my biology studies were interesting, but I still had a humanities itch from my previous work. Those topics aren't exclusive per se, but I wanted to more explicitly combine them. I thought, Maybe become a patent attorney! When Ken's class came around in the spring, I knew I had to sign up and see if I could really do this. And the final moot court really sold it to me; dry readings and writings aside, having to hash your points out to judges was really fun. As of now, I'm getting more into environmental law and it's kind of kicking my butt. Hopefully, everything will work out!
Introduction to Songwriting
Introduction to Songwriting was my first break from science-heavy trimesters. Instead of three-hour labs for each class a week, I was writing original song lyrics and belting them out in a studio. I loved the euphoric feeling flooding my lungs after singing for hours in the high school choir. While I had covered pre-existing songs, I’d never composed an original piece and performed it. My favorite piece I wrote would have to be a song called Southern Spice. I created it from the perspective of a person from a politically tense southern state that has its own intrinsic beauty and culture. Even though my hands shook and dread pooled at the bottom of my stomach, I performed it. And I was ultimately relieved since it was well received. Some people even complimented me the next day (*squeal*). This class gave me a chance to revisit a passion that I left on the back burner for way too long. Caroline Cotter really pushed us to validate our inner creativity and destroy the doubtful critic in our minds; a lesson that reaches far into other parts of my life.
Personal Finance and Impact Investing
I started Personal Finance and Impact Investing with Jay Friedlander because I thought that some financial literacy couldn't hurt. I'd say some of the biggest takeaways are compound interest and keeping records. I was surprised that this class wasn't just a numbers game. The number of readings that talked about the economy in relation to society, politics, and environment was impressive. Very human ecology. It was also interesting to see how money could be contextualized and used to support personal missions. I don't know if I'd ever join the FIRE ["Financial Independence, Retire Early"] movement but if I ever get rich enough to have an investment fund, it's reassuring to know that there are managers that make it a priority to invest in sustainable companies. Now to find an angel investor for my college tuition.
“During a busy summer, I was balancing a 50-55 hour work week between the MDI Biological Laboratory, Take-A-Break, and The Burning Tree restaurant. My decision-making abilities were, understandably, stretched thin. I was moving into my summer housing and found a large grassy rug in the COA free box. I loved the rug, so I set down my uncovered plate of meatball subs on a bench outside, and carried the rug to my room. I returned to my plate to find it absolutely demolished. It was the worst crime scene I’ve ever seen. The plate was face down and the buns and roasted veggies strewn erratically on the ground. I wanted to call 911. Upon further investigation, the trail of food innards led to a tree... Perhaps this sandwich thief made an arboreal getaway. But who? A squirrel, that’s who! I discovered squirrels ate more than just acorns that day. Challenge your beliefs, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.”
