As Undergraduate Student Government president and a nutrition and biology major, Divya Aggarwal has plenty on her schedule. But don’t think the Shrewsbury, Mass., native doesn’t lead a full life beyond the classroom and the boardroom. On campus, Aggarwal volunteers at the Free Clinic, conducts research at the Cardiovascular Research Institute, is a Sigma Psi sister and is active in the Student Turning Point Society. In her (albeit scarce) spare time, music fills the void, from choreographing and performing dances to Indian music to creating mashups and mixes with her favorite beats.
Learn more about this year’s USG leader.
1. What’s on your iPod?
Passion Pit, Death Cab for Cutie, El Ten Eleven, We Are Scientists, Guster, Stars, ’80s music, Regina Spektor, Keane, The Most Serene Republic, Enya, my own mixes/mashups and lots of Indian music—especially Bollywood and Bhangra music.
2. What’s your favorite spot in Cleveland and why?
Walking down East 4th Street in downtown Cleveland, especially at night because it is almost always bright, bustling and beautiful. Also, the best surprise is at the end of the street: The Chocolate Bar restaurant. The House of Blues is also a really funky venue on East 4th, and I’ve been to many memorable concerts there.
I would also say that Progressive Field is another one of my favorite spots. I was never really into baseball before, but baseball in Cleveland is something else. Picture a night of dollar dogs (hot dogs that is), post-game theme fireworks, and a stadium full of Clevelanders singing “Hang on Sloopy” during the 7th inning. With a group of friends, going to an Indians game is definitely one of my favorite things to do in Cleveland.
3. If you could only take three books with you to a deserted island, what would you take?
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and any novel by Kurt Vonnegut.
4. What one word would you use to describe yourself, and what one word would your friends use to describe you?
Myself: dynamic
My friends: dedicated
5. What’s your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve University?
One of my favorite things about CWRU is that every day, wherever I walk on campus, I inevitably run into someone I know. That is the wonderful thing about being such a tight-knit community on a comfortably sized campus.
Also, all those people who I run into? They are amazing! The students here are extremely intelligent, creative, talented and fun to be around. There is all kinds of diversity among the students, and I find myself learning new things from my peers all the time.
The professors, administration and staff at Case Western Reserve have also been incredibly influential for me professionally and personally. Whether it is helping me make improvements in campus life or helping me find my career path, the faculty and staff at Case Western Reserve have enriched my college experience immensely. I am so proud to be a student here, and I can’t imagine being an undergrad anywhere else.