Category Archives: Responsibility

From Rio De Janeiro to the Dance Room

Identity, Responsibility, Uncategorized

In 2020, I took a Business Ethics Course in Brazil. I got a chance to stay with a host family. There is a large afro indigenous population in Brazil. Traveling to Brazil was the first time I’d ever been outside of the country. I had to apply for a passport, study away visa, and medical insurance. The process took about one month. Fun fact, Brazil was the last country to abolish slavery. I got a chance to learn from the afro indigenous peoples in Brazil. In my freshman year, spring semester, I took an Afro-Brazilian dance class spring of 2020. I learned more about art in Brazil soon after the trip. Throughout the course, I used background life experience I learned in Brazil, specifically the dance samba

The course has educated me on real-life experiences. In Brazil, I went to a museum in Petropolis and I asked about the Afro- Brazilian experience. Come to find out they removed the afro-Brazilian exhibit in the museum. Another experience I had with learning more about Afro-Brazilian culture was through the TV show, She’s Gotta Have It. There was a mention of orixas in one of the episodes. Two dances in the choreography reminded me of Lansu and Xansu. The episode took place in Puerto Rico and the mother was extremely religious. In the episode, the mother gave food to the orixas before eating which I found interesting. The religion was praised on the show and made multiple appearances. Having the background of the class made me understand the dance in the last portion of the episode. The African Diaspora reached as far as Puerto Rico and the episode is testimony to this truth.

Berge and her classmates on a beach in Iiha Grande, Brazil.

I was able to apply my real-life experiences to the class from the daily greeting or the orixas learned in class. This made the class more interpersonal. Reading about the origins of Condomple in the course allowed me to delve deeper into Afro- Brazilian culture. Before COVID-19 I would practice the moves for movement evaluations with a partner. During the pandemic, I was practicing and mesmerizing dance move by myself. Art is not respected in the world of academia. I learned this through Yoruba reading. The first impression of cultures is dark. This course has taught me to see dance in a different light. I see dance as educational, as a form of communication and art. When in Brazil there was another student there that wanted to learn more about the Yoruba people. The global society remains sheltered from African culture. This course promotes dance education in Brazil where dance is not respected in the world of academia.

Pole Fitness Club

Initiative, Responsibility, Uncategorized

POLE is a pole fitness student group I began . POLE began spring semester in 2022. A student becomes a member by signing up and attending the first mandatory meeting. Members become official by adding them to the group operations via groupme and WesNest roster. The student group is horizontally run with- a group leader and a financial manager. The group leader can not be in they’re first or last year. P.O.L.E wants to cultivate a judge free safe zone for those on campus who want to express themselves physically through pole dancing. The group will be instrumental in holding this space by hosting intimate performances at a nearby fitness club in Hartford CT.

P.O.L.E will establish longevity and long-term effectiveness on campus by appointing a club leader at the end of the school year. In order to fulfill its intended mission of self awareness, the organization’s defining principles are to be inclusive, judgment free, healthy, and have fun! The group is committed to hosting an intimate performance at the end of the given school year depending on the capabilities of the members of the group.

The objective of the event is to engage with the community while showcasing what we did during the school year. The event would typically occur at the end of the school year in May. The club leader will host the event at an appropriate location on campus. The event will not require funding. The host leader will be responsible for confirming a location on campus for the event. A month prior the financial manager will be responsible for working with student involvement to promote the event.

Scholar Invitation Opportunities

Initiative, Research Skills, Responsibility


During the spring of my sophomore spring semester at Wesleyan, I earned an invitation to for a scholarship program for aspiring marketers. I’m incredibly grateful for the scholarship as it has aided me in my pursuit of a high-level education. Being awarded scholarships placed an immense amount of pressure on me as a freshman in high school. At the same time the scholarships alleviated the cost of college for me for which I am eternally grateful for.  Through the programs I’ve been able to participate in work development training, interpersonal training such as time management, and intern with organizations (such as Digitas and Cushman and Wakefield). In 2019 I became a Dell Scholar and Edwards Scholar. Recently I became an ADs Scholar in 2022. Personally, being a scholar means showing up. When it comes to psychiatric disabilities sometimes showing up is half the battle.  Education continues to be my escape from the world. I was always textbook smart. Although I’d argue there are different forms of intelligence. For instance street intelligence, the ability to be adaptable in any environment. Being awarded the scholarship and attending Wesleyan helped me figure out where I fit on the spectrum. I strongly believe that there is something to be learned from every interaction with every individual.