By: Paulina Krzyszczyk Edited by: Eileen Oni Having spent several years within Rutgers’ campuses, I have had some time to learn about the university and reflect on my experiences here. Although there have been ups and downs throughout the progression of my Ph.D. (as expected!), I have identified a few things about Rutgers that have enhanced my graduate experience.
First up: Diversity. Rutgers (including Rutgers-Newark campus) has consistently held top rankings in diversity across U.S. universities for several years (e.g. 2018, 2015, 2008). Speaking from my own experience, Rutgers has truly exposed me to individuals from every background, religion, race, ethnicity, and culture. My graduate school experience has been enhanced by learning about different kinds of people and their rich culturesand traditions. In my research lab alone, there are males, females, Christians, Buddhists, Orthodox Jew
s, Atheists, Indians, African Americans, Asians, Latinas, and individuals raised in various socioeconomic classes. We are quite diverse. During many lunch sessions, you can find me inquiring about one's culture or traditions to learn more about their lifestyle and who they are. It is intriguing that, despite coming from such different backgrounds, all of our paths brought us to the same place, where we are able to effectively work together. Our research lab is a microcosm of America: one melting pot of races and backgrounds, working together to improve lives—in our case, through biomedical engineering. Second on my list of favorite things about Rutgers is its status as a BIG 10 large research university, complete with medical hospitals (Robert Wood Johnson and University Hospital, Newark) and several centers such as the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, and many more. Coming from a smaller undergraduate university, it is impressive that Rutgers has separate buildings on campus for many different sub-fields of medical sciences, including biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, proteomics, public health, and more! The research opportunities at Rutgers are vast. This means if you are looking to borrow a reagent, test out a piece of equipment or connect with an expert about a specific lab technique, chances are, there is a lab close by at Rutgers that can help you out. This network has been invaluable to the development of my research project at Rutgers. On a less serious note, there are plenty of fun things to do and beautiful places to see among the Rutgers University Campuses. Rutgers Gardens is beautiful in the spring, complete with a weekly farmers market. Several spots on College Ave and Cook Douglas campuses are also quite serene and photogenic. For the art lover, the Zimmerli Art Museum is free for Rutgers students and has interesting, rotating exhibits that warrant return visits. Off-campus attractions include Duke Farms, a prime location to enjoy a bike ride. If you like to hike, I recommend Eagle Rock Reservation and Norvin Green State Forest. For slightly further trips, Princeton, Philadelphia, and New York City are just a simple car or train ride away! And, if you are looking for a thrill to shake up the monotony of days and weekends spent in lab, visit Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ! On a similar note, the Rutgers New-Brunswick Campus has several delicious restaurants and bars that have kept me well-fed. In New Brunswick, there is Destination Dogs, Brother Jimmy’s, Harvest Moon, and more. Nearby, the town of Highland Park has quality dining spots, such as Midori Sushi, Pithari, Chef Tan, Pino's, and even some Kosher options (Sushiana, Jerusalem Pizza). Other noteworthy restaurants and bars in the area include Brickhouse, Stagehouse Tavern, Sushi Palace, and Thai Lanna. Thank you, Rutgers, for being my home for the past several years! To all those reading who are considering Rutgers for graduate school or a postdoctoral position, or are just starting out on your academic career, remember that at Rutgers, you will be immersed in a diverse environment with boundless research opportunities, as well as great food and entertainment!
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