College Matters. Alma Matters.

Athena Lao on Harvard: Studying Classics, Teaching Abroad and Wanting to Make Things Better.

Listen Later

Episode Title: Athena Lao on Harvard: Studying Classics, Teaching Abroad and Wanting to Make Things Better.

Episode summary introduction: The mere mention of “Harvard” is intriguing. A good fraction of the high school students have Harvard on their list of Colleges they aspire to.

Athena Lao is a graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Classics.

In particular, we discuss the following with her:

  • Why Harvard?
  • The Academic and Campus Experience at Harvard
  • Advice to Aspiring Students

    • Topics discussed in this episode:

    • “Loved going to Harvard” [2:01]
    • Why Harvard? [5:26]
    • From Athens, Georgia to Harvard [13:15]
    • Incredible Academics! [16:40]
    • Amazing Peers! [19:07]
    • Choosing Classics as a Major [23:09]
    • Living in “Halls” and Brain Breaks [26:02]
    • Campus Activities [33:50]
    • Int’l Sojourns during Summers [36:32]
    • “Life Changing” Fulbright Grant [39:08]
    • Advice to Aspiring Students [43:30]
    • Forward Thinking Passion at Harvard [48:09]

      • Our Guest: Athena Lao is a graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Classics. Athena then went on to get a Master’s degree in International Education Development Program at the University of Pennsylvania.


      Memorable Quote: Athena to aspiring Harvard applicants “Don’t want it so much.”


      Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.


      Calls-to-action:

      • To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email [email protected].
      • Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
      • To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
      • For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
        • ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store
        College Matters. Alma Matters.By Venkat Raman
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5

        5

        8 ratings