Profile

Name: Haruka Morita
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Major: Biology (Spanish Minor)
Year: 2010

Interests/Clubs/Activities:
Asian Cultural Society- a club that promotes Asian cultures around campus through social events within the club and for the entire campus. Our biggest annual event is the FUSION show in November, which is a showcase of many performances by a variety of organizations on campus, including Bhangra, STEP team, Lunatikz Hip Hop dance, Chinese folk dance, tinikling and Chinese yo-yo to name a few. Healthy Hawks- a peer education group that promotes healthy eating and exercise. We hold presentations for freshman dorms, frats and sororities, and other on campus groups. Also have events such as you’re your plate in dining halls. BUZZED- a peer education group for drinking, drugs and tobacco, also holds presentations. Language Exchange Program facilitator for Japanese, meets weekly with students to practice speaking Japanese.

What's the best kept secret about Lehigh?
One thing you don’t find out until a year is spent at Lehigh is the change in scenery throughout the seasons on Lehigh’s beautiful campus. It sounds like a common thing, but with the amount of landscaping done at Lehigh, it really is something. My favorite is the spring when all the flowers bloom all over campus!

What has been your most memorable experience at Lehigh?
It’s hard to pick out one specific memory, but as an executive board member of the Asian Cultural Society, I have had the opportunity to meet many a variety of people from different years and I have come to spend a lot of time with all of them. Time spent with them are always fun and I treasure it a lot, whether that’s studying and procrastinating at Linderman library, hanging out at our dorms or going off campus to malls and bowling. International bazaar this year was also one of my favorite experiences.

My favorite class/professor:
Keith Schray for Organic Chemistry. He learns the names of all students (nearly a hundred) by the second day of class, without having to go through the names in class. He always has a funny surprise on the last day of class! Also Linda Lefkowiz for Spanish; she is a really chill, friendly teacher and her classes are always fun and really interactive.

What do you wish you knew about Lehigh before you arrived on campus?
I wish I knew what Greek life was more about, coming from Hong Kong International School, I had no idea about Greek life until I got to Lehigh.

How did Lehigh help you transition to life in the US?
I lived in NY for a while when I was little so there really wasn’t much transitioning for me to life in the US.

What is your favorite location on campus?
Linderman library, I love its beautiful interior and I spend the most time of my day here. All of my friends come to the library in between classes so it also serves as meeting point to hang out with my friends as well as a working place.

Where's the best food on and off campus?
On campus- Lower Court, has a variety of food daily, and this is where special events such as the competitions between different university chefs take place! Off campus- Goosey Gander and Blue Sky Café.