Yoel Roth

Yoel confronts a paradox of progressivism abroad

When emerging from beneath the progressive security blanket of Swarthmore College, even fairly minor changes in the level of religious, sexual and cultural toleration can be startling. Which is why wh…

Sometimes, even partying gets lost in translation

If history serves as any example, this past weekend Swarthmore was overrun by the annual Halloween party. I’ve always put a lot of weight on Swarthmore Halloweens because, ignoring the Hootenannies an…

Studying abroad in the uncanny cultural valley

This morning, I was standing on my balcony drinking a cup of coffee and marveling at the serenity of Oxford at 8 a.m. when the fire alarm went off, causing me to drop my mug onto the grass twenty feet…

Facing the real danger of [pop] culture shock

Last semester, I took a course in the Film and Media Studies department entitled “From Broadcast to Podcast: TV and New Media.” In addition to further validating my suspicion that no Swarthmore course…

Yoel’s pounds and dollars fail to add up

With just over two weeks remaining before I leave for England, I’m going to put on hold the snarky retelling of my study abroad foibles and tackle a slightly more serious topic: money.

After spendi…

On a chautauqua to perfect his cooking skills

I almost chose not to study abroad.  After filling out heaps of tedious paperwork, anxiously waiting for acceptance letters, and agonizing internally over the decision between studying at the London S…

So there is an Oxford town around the bend

If I could send just one message back in time to myself two years ago, it would be: “It gets better. Seriously.”

Because if one thing about freshman year is at all clear to me now, it’s that Orien…

Is "experience" overrated? You bet your ballot it is

Boca Raton, Florida, my hometown, is an astonishingly dull place, and accordingly I had a lot of free time on my hands this summer, which I spent watching the talking heads on cable news stations. Ad…

Perhaps you could lower the volume?

I operate under the assumption that most people are genuinely good people who genuinely mean well. Nevertheless, I also operate under the assumption that you and your roommate will fight, as have cou…

Albright speaks at Bryn Mawr in support of Hillary Clinton, points to instability in Pakistan and Iran as key issues

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright appeared at Bryn Mawr College Wednesday afternoon in support of Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Ms. Albright, curren…