A Student Perspective: Relax, Refresh, and Reset in Ballroom Dance Class
Written by Haruka Eda, SHA ’21, an exchange student from Japan
Through the past two semesters, I’ve learned a lot of things from Eileen’s Latin Ballroom class (PDP DA 115). First, learning the dance broadens your world. Because dancing is obviously an important part of culture, it gives you a sense of each community, tribe, and country. For college students, this kind of cultural experience gives them significant impacts for academic and social life.
Second, students are able to get essential human interactions in ballroom dance. It is meaningful to meet diverse people, experience new things, and join communities. If you take ballroom dance, you can meet amazing teachers and highly motivated peers. I could met great friends who also love Latin dance like I do. We often go to Havana Club, a Latin dance club, and enjoy dancing together. It is absolutely one of my best memories of Boston University. I cannot describe how much I appreciate the class.
Third, ballroom dance improves your grades. College students are often juggling assignments, reviews, club activities, and networking. For students who cannot focus on their daily tasks, this dance class makes you relax, refresh, and reset. Moving your body to songs, especially fun, exotic music, eliminates your stress and helps you better cope with it.
A lot of students I met take the class for rest and for fun. Acquiring the skills of both the leader and follower is essential in the learning process. When you experience both the leader and follower, you learn what you have to do for the partner. It gives your dancing kindness, graciousness, and passion. Additionally, learning both techniques gives you more knowledge and movements.