The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences held a holiday party on Dec. 15 to celebrate the end of the semester. The events included paper snowflake creation, ornament decoration, a photo station with silly hats and a snack station.

“I really like this idea of hosting a holiday party or gathering. It provides a chance for the students to meet up and do something fun for the Christmas,” said Bowen Yang, a student in the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. Program in Dr. Victor Jin’s Lab. “For those students are available during that time, it was nice to know someone new and talk with faculty members about different topics.”

John Im, a student in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program echoed that sentiment.

“I thought the holiday party was a great way for graduate students to finally see other students in the program and network, Im said.” I liked the openness and getting to mingle with faculty and students.”

Yang explained that he enjoyed making the ornaments the best.

“Making small ornaments is really relaxing for me,” he said.

He explained that it is important to give students an opportunity to socialize and have a “normal” time outside the research.

“Hopefully next semester, student organizations could get approved for more fun and meaningful events, ” Yang said.

Im said that events like this break up the discipline-based cliques a lot of grad students form, which is also a great way to make friends, but doesn’t let us really get to know the school or the cohort.

“I think a big benefit for these events is the networking and socializing aspect. It helps to form a sense of community within the graduate school, instead of per discipline,” Im said “Also the connections would help a lot when we start job hunting, whether in industry or academia.”