My CGS: A Q&A with Sydney Pickering
Sydney Pickering (CGS ’20, CAS ’22) made the most out of her gap semester. When she was presented with an opportunity to join the Boston Celtics dance team, Sydney moved from her home in Los Angeles to Boston five months early to join the team. Sydney is also on the Pre-Law track, a CGS Dean’s Host, and has an internship at Dewey Square Group.
Where are you from and what are you studying at BU?
I am a sophomore in the CGS Boston-London Experience and I am from Los Angeles, California. I am majoring in International Relations in the Pardee School of Global Studies with a focus on Europe and an emphasis on Foreign Policy and Security Studies. I am also minoring in political science and philosophy.
How did you spend your gap semester? Why was that time valuable to you?
During the gap semester, I moved to Boston where I took classes, danced for the Boston Celtics dance team, had a job in a coffee shop and did clerical work for a professor. It was valuable because I could get ahead by taking those extra classes for academic credit.
How long have you been dancing? How did you get into dancing?
I have been dancing as long as I can remember. I really got serious about dancing in high school when I saw the community formed in my high school’s dance company.
What has been your favorite memory on the team?
There are a lot of favorite memories because every game is different and there is such a sisterhood between the dancers. I would have to say either when I first made the team or my first game because it felt surreal being there dancing.
What else are you involved in on campus?
I am the Academic Excellency Chair for Kappa Delta, a CGS Dean’s Host, and a member of the CGS Advisory Board. Outside of campus, I intern at Dewey Square Group and I dance for the Boston Celtics dance team.
How do you balance school with dancing? What advice would you give to other students looking to do the same?
I learned how to time manage because of my high school dance company and I use Google Calendar to organize everything. Also, communicating is essential so definitely talk with your advisor and professors. My advisor, Matt Bae was great and helped out with my schedule.
What’s a typical week like for you?
Every week is different because the basketball game schedule varies weekly. In the mornings, I grab the T and head to my internship in downtown Boston. Then I have class from 1-5 and then dance practice at night. I am taking five classes and most of them are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What have been your favorite parts about your CGS experience?
It’s hard to say because I like every aspect. The professors are amazing because they are such a diverse group and they make the courses special. I love how there are no teaching assistants, so you get close to your professors, especially in London. Also, the program helped me make great friends.
What made you choose BU?
I was a little hesitant about starting in the middle of the year. When I heard the benefits of a small liberal arts program from Dean McNnight on Admitted Students day, I wanted to come. Plus, when I heard that I gotten on to the Celtics dance team, it sealed the deal for me.
What activities would you recommend that everyone do during their time in Boston?
I would say get out of the BU bubble! There is great food downtown and the Boston Public Library is a great spot to visit. I love history, so I definitely walk the freedom trail when I have people visiting me. Also, go to a Celtics basketball game!
If you could give one piece of advice to the new first-year CGS class, what would it be?
My advice is to take advantage of what CGS has to offer, from the amazing faculty and staff to the gap semester. The staff makes it easy to transition into the bigger schools at BU. There are also a lot of research opportunities.
How do you think CGS has prepared you for what comes next in your BU career?
The liberal arts curriculum, especially rhetoric and philosophy, helped me decide to do pre-law and minor in philosophy. Also, CGS taught me how to advocate for myself and approach professors for help.
— Compiled by Natalie Seara