the personals: questions for Jean-Robert Andre '07
By Nina Sudhakar, Arts and Living Editor
What is your major and why did you pick it?

I don't know what to do with my life yet. I'm not sure at all what to do when I graduate. I took some sociology classes and I really liked them, and since I had to make a choice, I decided to go with what my interest of the moment was. It's still working out pretty well.

Where are you from? What do you do for fun there?

I'm from New Rochelle, N.Y., a half an hour north of Manhattan. I don't know anybody up there, since I went to school in the city for most of my life, so I usually commute down to see my friends. We've been on a mission to comb the city for the cheapest good restaurants and have a couple under our belts. So yeah, I mostly eat. ...

I hear you're in a little trouble with the law. Care to share the story?

Me and six other Amherst students went to Cuba this summer. Two of us drove down to Mexico with about 20 other people from New York and New England in a school bus (11 days with no air conditioning, frequent breakdowns, electrical fires and humanitarian aid taking up half the bus) and then flew over to Cuba. We went to deliver the aid without a license from the government in protest of the embargo and travel ban. While there, we actually got to hear Castro's speech to the country-it was five hours long, but a really cool experience. Two weeks later we got letters from the Treasury Department threatening a fine and potential criminal penalties for going illegally. We're awaiting a response to our not-so-compliant reply. Hopefully I won't have a criminal record before I graduate. ...

Are you planning on studying abroad? How did you decide where to go?

I'm planning on studying abroad in Paris next semester. I chose Paris because French was my first language, and when I went to school and learned English, I forgot all of it (my mom's worst nightmare ... ). I started taking it again in sixth grade and I think studying abroad would be the best way to improve my language skills. Plus, when else can you spend five months in Europe on your parents' money?

I hear your brother is also a student here. How is it being on campus with a sibling around?

I see him EVERYWHERE! Every single party I'm at, there he is. And my friends make it their responsibility to point it out every time (... thanks guys). It'll take some getting used to, but I think he likes it, so I'm happy for him.

Are you involved in any organizations on campus?

I've been mostly involved in Pride Alliance, our LGBTQA group, for the past couple of years. I've also been a part of the Haitian Awareness project. Besides eating as much Haitian food as possible, one of our goals has been to get Wyclef Jean here for a fundraiser concert. ... We'll see how far we get with that one.

Any crazy stories or memories from college so far?

Well in freshman year, my roommate and I threw a little pumpkin out of the fourth floor window of Pratt Dormitory a while after Halloween. It ended up falling a couple of feet behind some kids, and smashing in front of the Rainbow Room's windows. It was so bad because everyone thought it was a hate crime!

What are your plans for after graduation?

No idea. ... I'll probably be drowning in debt, which means I'm moving right back in with the parents.

What is your favorite TV show?

"I Love the 80s" would have to be my favorite TV show. It's always fun to bring up childhood and then make fun of it.

If you could be any vegetable, what would it be?

I'd have to say an eggplant.

Issue 05, Submitted 2005-10-06 10:54:12