The second round of midterms has begun. After a long weekend of nonstop review sessions, key-terms memorization, and dissipation of last-minute doubts, this week brings no prospects of calm. The chaos started this morning with an hour-long Comparative Politics exam. Tomorrow a presentation on Waiting for Godot awaits, followed by another presentation and 8-page paper rewrite on Thursday, and a science midterm on Friday. While I dive into a pool of the thickest course packs and notes, anxious that I not miss the smallest detail, I try not to forget that, inevitably, the week will soon be over. Then I’ll welcome the most fun event that Harvard life has to offer.

On Saturday the college will host the annual Harvard-Yale football game. This is a much-anticipated party for which preparations are made way in advance to ensure that students get the most out of this tradition. Tailgates, battles of the bands, and cook-outs take place throughout the weekend, which is highlighted by the victory of either rival. Despite this popular rivalry, though, the Harvadians look forward to welcoming Yalies home. Even students from nonparticipating schools want to take part. I’ll be hosting two of my girlfriends, one from Princeton and another from Duke.

One of the benefits of college life is mobility, especially in an urban setting. Here you can easily move around using public transportation. When work permits, I like leaving Cambridge and getting a taste of Boston’s downtown with all its shops, restaurants and parks. I recently attended a fascinating Cirque Du Soleil performance, and just a few days ago, a modern dance show staged by Harvard undergraduates. You have to be careful with your spare time, though. I remember that during the first long weekend I had in Harvard, I miscalculated the number of assignments I had, and it was very hard to catch up later. You have to dedicate at least some time to schoolwork every day.

I’ve already been considering my summer activity plans. Harvard provides numerous opportunities for internships, summer jobs, and study abroad through its Office of Career Services and Office of International Programs. Next summer I would like to travel to Latin America and participate in an internship for a social service group, for example. Professional and international experience is highly valued by graduate schools, and it also fulfills my desires to explore and be exposed to new lifestyles and cultures. I am open to traveling in other countries, too, and even studying more languages. Next semester, I might take an extra course in Portuguese, whose melody really attracts me. Regardless of what I end up doing, though, it’s important to start planning for the summer as the end of the year approaches. Applications are due very early, and some programs require certain courses that I could take during second semester if I’m aware of the requirement.

In terms of studying abroad, however, there’s one particular program I daydream about. It turns out that Harvard University obtained special authorization to send students to study at the University of Havana. Just the idea of being able to live in my country a second time in my native town and so close to my family, to take classes with Cuban students for five months is overpowering. I never thought I would be given this opportunity and so I’m more than ready to embrace it. Here in the United States, my parents support me. Across the sea, in Cuba, my relatives wait for me with open arms. In my mind, their faces remain unchanged as do the streets and buildings and trees of my neighborhood.

Will I find them unchanged? Amidst my excitement, a delicate fear exists with the thought that, after all, everything I have idealized during these long four years might not be reality anymore. I might find that, despite my reluctance to adapt to new streets and buildings and trees in American soil, I have unconsciously forged a new identity.