John Tremblay
Name: John Tremblay
Year: 3rd
Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA
Major: Spanish and Foreign Affairs
Describe your favorite professor?
Out of all the great professors I've had, Gustavo Pellón stands out. Picture a Cuban Santa Claus. This man is jolly and upbeat throughout the entire semester. He loves to teach and his eyes light up when he talks about his specialties, Latin American and comparative literatures. I always looked forward to going to his class, not only because he was such an animated professor, but also because his class was conducted in a discussion format. I enjoyed this style because our classes became conversations on the topic at hand and he was an expert at weaving his students' opinions and comments into a coherent theme.
Have you taken a University Seminar? Which one? Why?
Yes, I took a USEM during the spring of my first year. USEMs are courses that are restricted to fifteen first year students. They meet once a week for two hours and are taught by a renowned professor in that field. My seminar was on literature, film and censorship. We read several novels that had been censored or banned at some point, including Madame Bovary and Loltia. In addition to studying the novels themselves, we explored the historical context in which they were written and how that led to their censorship as well as the film adaptations of the works. I took that seminar because I really enjoy smaller classes that are discussion based and where students really get to know their classmates as well as their professor. I enjoyed my USEM very much because I learned about a fascinating topic that I knew little about and I really benefited from the small class setting.
What activities are you involved in?
I'm involved in several groups on Grounds. This past year I was an officer in the Queer Student Union, which is a group for LGBT students and allies at U.Va. I'm also a member of our club swim team, the University Democrats and Amnesty International. This past spring I also volunteered to tutor a high school student in the community once a week through Madison House's Migrant Aid program. This fall I will be training to become a Peer Health Educator (PHE). PHEs put on programs such as the Fourth Year 5K run and presentations that address health topics that are particularly relevant to college students such as stress, eating disorders, mental health and alcohol and substance abuse. I have also participated in Alternative Spring Break, which is an organization that sends about five groups of undergraduate students on service trips during the week of spring break.
What are the arts like at U.Va.?
The arts are a vibrant part of student life here. Every student has sixty "arts" dollars which allow them to see plays and films at the annual Virginia film festival at no charge. I went to several plays during my first year with friends. We also have a fine arts library which is free to students and is centrally located on Grounds. Outside of the University, the arts are also very prominent in the Charlottesville community. We have a variety of movie theaters, including one that plays exclusively foreign and independent films as well as a jazz club and Starr Hill, which hosts musicians such as Pat McGee Band on a regular basis.
How would you describe the students that attend U.Va.?
This is a difficult question to answer because we have all kinds of students who come to study here. I have friends who are into all kinds of activities: filmmaking, Buddhism, a capella groups, psychology, athletics, drama, traveling, community service name it. One of the great things about college is that there is a whole gamut of activities and groups that students can get involved in so life is never dull. At the same time, while we UVA students are diverse in our personalities and interests, virtually all of us are studious and are here to learn.
Have you taken the opportunity to get academic and career advice while a student?
I have definitely taken advantage of the academic and career advising services that we have. My primary advisors are my major advisors, but I have also gotten invaluable advice from other professors that I have had; even if they have not been officially assigned as your major advisor, almost all professors that I know are eager talk with you about your academic aspirations.
This spring, I went to our career counseling services center because I was searching for a job. The counselor I spoke with was very friendly and helped me write my resume. She also showed me several databases and books where I could search for internships. It was a very helpful visit in that it helped me to find practical ways to search for and land rewarding summer employment. Best of all, this service is free for students.
