Altschuler chose Amherst because "more than anything, I know that I learn best in small, intimate academic settings, and I believed that Amherst would satisfy me in that regard." After taking classes in numerous departments that appealed to him, Altschuler chose Spanish as his first major, having spoken Spanish since his youth. Eventually, he added on political science and black studies, both of which he says have been meaningful to his academic experience.
"Political science helped me think about how governments work and how people can or cannot express themselves through institutions and systems. As for black studies, I came back from studying abroad in Cuba with a tremendous interest in questions of diaspora and transnational identity," he said. "Being a black studies major enabled me to combine a vast array of interests, and it pushed me to establish connections between, for example, Caribbean literature, South African history, Afro-Brazilian culture and African-American religion."
Altschuler is grateful for help from professors in his departments. "What I appreciate most about my experience within the black studies department is the close relationship I was able to forge with professors and administrators who wholeheartedly committed themselves to working with me to create a meaningful academic experience for myself."
Working with the homeless
With one glance at his resume, one learns that Altschuler is a big advocate of political activism, cultural awareness and community service. "I firmly believe that being at a place like Amherst should expand our minds to new ideas, cultures and ways of thinking," he said. "More than anything, I believe in constantly questioning the way we live, the values we hold and how that 'we' gets constructed."
Altschuler has worked on various projects and internships allowing him to reach out to the community, including a stint as a summer treatment specialist intern at The Other Place at the Goddard Riverside Community Center in New York City during the summer of 2001. Having grown up in New York City, Altschuler was always preoccupied with the issue of homelessness and chose to work at The Other Place in the hopes of "working with 'faceless' members of my community and to better understand their daily struggles." According to Altschuler, this experience was important because it allowed him to think about the significant obstacles that stand in the way of homeless people's ability to successfully organize politically.
In the summer of 2002, Altschuler continued working to improve standards of living in communities by working as a tenant services intern at the Prince George Residence at the Common Ground Community in New York City. Altschuler found himself fascinated by the innovative model and organization of the community. "[It] indicates the very bright future of non-profit organizations pursuing social justice in this country and abroad," he commented.
Learning and teaching in Cuba
Altschuler is just as concerned with international issues as domestic ones. He studied in Havana, Cuba during the fall of his junior year. In Cuba, he studied Marxist-Leninist philosophy, José Martí, Afro-Cuban religions and percussion at La Universidad de la Habana. "I loved being in Cuba," said Altschuler. "Studying abroad there was mostly about a cultural immersion, learning as much as I could about Cuban culture, history and what it's like to live under a completely different sort of government. The whole experience forced me to question some of the assumptions that I took for granted in the way that I lived my life, and it pushed me to ask myself deep and penetrating questions. As far as I'm concerned, these questions were far more important than any answers I may have stumbled upon."
Altschuler was so impressed with his experience there that he returned that summer as a Cuba Friendship Exchange Trip Leader for the Interlocken Center for Experiential Learning. This time, Altschuler was able to experience Cuba in an entirely different capacity.
Teaming with three co-leaders as the adults responsible for 25 high school students during a month long stay in Cuba, Altschuler led discussions and activities to help immerse the students into Cuban culture while arranging the activity schedule based on his extensive knowledge of Havana. "I worked with great people in what I believe is a fabulous organization. I most enjoyed the opportunity to convey my excitement to our students as we tried to push them to get as much as possible out of a month-long trip," he said.
However, being in Cuba with high school students was not always easy. "One particularly memorable experience was at a concert where a fight had broken out and thousands of people were running away from Plaza," Altschuler recalled. "I was responsible for getting our kids together and safely getting them to a place where we could get back to our residence. It was scary, but exhilarating, and luckily, no one was hurt."
Experiences at the College
Since his return from Cuba, Altschuler has tried to reach out to his classmates at Amherst by petitioning the school to join an anti-sweatshop coalition as well as working with Luke Swarthout '04 to push the campus to pursue a more socially responsible investment (SRI) policy. The two worked with Professor of Sociology Jan Dizard this past semester to establish a special topics course on SRI and held a conference on the issue this spring that featured speakers and presenters who provided a great depth of knowledge and many opportunities for discussion.
"I believe that Amherst College has inexplicably tried to distance itself from the moral responsibility that it has in investing millions and millions of dollars in corporations. Through our investments, I believe we can, and should, express the values and moral commitments of this institution," said Altschuler. "I hope to see some significant changes in the College's investment policy in the next year, particularly with respect to transparency and the College's role in voting responsibly on shareholder resolutions."
Finally, when asked to recount his favorite class at the College, Altschuler pointed out the Prophecy and Social Criticism class with Visiting Associate Professor of Religion and Black Studies Eddie S. Glaude. "The class was a small discussion-based class, where we engaged in critical debates about the role of the social critic in society," Altschuler said. "It forced us to think about the nature of our commitments and attachments and how these can hinder or improve our ability to offer meaningful criticism about how our society is organized, how power relations function, etc. This course exemplified all that can be great about Amherst College."
Altschuler has made time for recreation during his college experience. His favorite activity? "Criticism. Others might refer to it as pseudo-intellectual drivel, but I prefer to call it 'criticism.'" Altschuler also recalled his fondest memory from his semester abroad in Cuba, when he spent a long weekend with three friends on Playa Maria La Gorda.
Altschuler has found time to have fun playing soccer, tennis and golf at various points in his four years, playing Afro-Cuban drums and spending time with his roommates while convincing his friend's girlfriend to dance Merengue with him. Altschuler's approach life allows him to accomplish his goals while taking time out for relaxation with friends.
Award-winning world travel
Altschuler was recently awarded the prestigious Watson Fellowship. He will use the fellowship to travel to Chile and South Africa to create an oral history project on homeless and landless communities, exploring their experiences in transitions to democracy. "In the last 10 to 15 years, both Chile and South Africa have undergone huge political transitions, and my goal is to hear the words and oft-suppressed voices of people who have not necessarily reaped any tangible benefits from their new governments," he said. Altschuler is also excited to have a year to explore two countries holding rich cultural and political histories.
"I think that my Watson year will teach me a lot about how I want to live in the world as I begin to think about future plans for my life," Altschuler said. When asked where he sees himself in 10 years, Altschuler seems to have left that open in the air-for now. "I don't presume to have any set plan of where I'll be in 10 years. I wouldn't rule out some type of graduate study in a few years. I could see myself, perhaps, trying to start up my own non-profit organization that incorporates strategies of social entrepreneurship into its operating model."
So what does Altschuler think about his four years at Amherst? Citing his only regret as not having taken enough theory courses, Altschuler can look back at his time here with satisfaction. "I learned that I can really carve out my own way of living. Having been blessed with so many opportunities to see new places and meet different people, I'm now fully confident that I can make meaning for myself without relying so much on how other people are doing things and living their lives," he said. "Of course, these are decisions we all have to make for ourselves, and I'm not trying to pass judgment on others; I'm simply excited for what lies ahead of me." With his impressive list of accomplishments and passion for his work, one cannot help being excited for Altschuler as well.