Student Squared: Grace Nah

Q: Just to be totally honest, I did a little happy dance when we pulled your name for Student Squared [from the random generator]. I was so excited to interview you, I love your videos. How’s freshman year going?

A: Pretty good, I like it.

Q: Where are you from? Tell me a little bit about home for you?

A: I was born in Korea, and then I immigrated to America when I was nine and lived in [New Jersey] for a little bit. My home right now is in Long Island, New York.

Q: What are you interested in majoring in?

A: I think I’m going to be majoring in physics and math potentially. I’m also interested in going into engineering, which [would be through] the Dartmouth engineering program. I just really love the [physics] community and department, and I feel like I could never leave it.

Q: What got you into physics?

A: I was always an artsy kid, I always did art, but I took “A.P. Physics I” in high school, with Mr. Wells, he’s a great guy. There’s always that one teacher [who] kind of changes your life, and I think he was that type of teacher. He genuinely just wanted to teach and make sure you understand stuff, not just for the sake of getting a paycheck. He cared about his students so much, and that experience made me want to get into physics.

I’m actually not entirely sure if I want to major in physics, but the community is what keeps me. The people are the kindest and most warm people ever. They’re so smart, but they’re so humble and they’re so willing to help out. Even the students here, literally stay until 11 [p.m. or] 12 a.m. just helping out, without getting paid. They just stay voluntarily and help each other out to make sure everyone understands. It’s such a collaborative environment that I’ve never been in. I feel so at home.

Q: Do you think you’ll take any art classes at Amherst?

A: As someone who has done fine arts for years, I’m a little burnt out. It takes up a lot of time. But right now, I have a creative outlet, which is social media, making videos, stuff like that. I think that’s enough for me. And dealing with the 20 hours of [problem] sets a week right now.

Q: What’s one thing that has surprised you since coming to college?

A: How warm people are! Coming to an elite university, I kind of expected everyone to be a little bit competitive and cutthroat … but I was welcome[d] with so much support, respect, and kindness. It makes me want to be a better person.

Q: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I do a little bit of video stuff. I’m currently posting a lot on social media, and [that has] been growing a lot. I think for me, it’s more like an artistic outlet … I used to do fine arts in high school and have moved away from that. It was so many hours of painting in my own room, isolated from the entire world. I feel like making videos makes me feel connected. I get to talk and build my own community. Also, I really love just documenting my college journey, and I feel like bringing my community along [on] my journey is just really fun.

Q: How did you start posting videos? And how did you decide to continue it in college? Do you think your content has changed since you got to college?

A: I started in freshman year of high school, during Covid. I was mostly into makeup videos. I was really into creative stuff, like I have blue hair. In high school, I didn’t really vlog because I was scared of filming in public. Also, all I cared about was “Oh my god, I need to get into a good college,” and stuff like that. Then when I got into a good college, I was like “Okay, I can just kind of chillax now” …

I switch up hobbies a lot, so this is like my new hobby, or part-time job. And, I think vlogs are more genuine and something I can consistently post in a routine. Whereas, [with] other forms of content, I would have to make time to sit down and film.

Q: I know you’re only a freshman, but do you have a favorite or best class you’ve taken so far?

A: I’m not going to say it’s the best class, but you trauma-bonded in [Physics 124] with Loinaz. I think the class average was like a 52. It’s a bonding activity, you do these crazy hard physics problems [for] hours. I spend at least 15 to 20 hours a week just doing problems. It takes up a lot of time. But you live, and you get to bond with all these people, and you get to be with the kindest and most humbling people ever. It makes me so happy to be involved in the physics department here.

Q: That’s a great pitch. If you were to trade lives with someone at Amherst for the day, who would it be?

A: I want to live life as Jim Kubasek in the [physics department] machine [shop]. He’s so funny, he’s so kind, he’s so bright. I just love the way he treats people. I was visiting his machine shop one time when I didn’t know how to use any of the machines. I kept saying sorry, but he was like, “You never have to say sorry. It’s okay, just keep going.” It was such an eye-opening and warm experience. Just the way he treats people … he’s always trying to build confidence in you. [And] I love being a teacher — I’ve always been a dance instructor, I’m a peer tutor here — and I feel like building confidence for people who don’t have it is such a big thing.

Q: Do you have a favorite spot on campus? For studying or whatever else?

A: I really like behind the bio lab on the second or third floor [of the Science Center]. There [are] big windows and a spiral staircase. It gets a little hot there sometimes, but the views are so nice. I also really like the Science [Center] cubicles when I have to stay grounded and just grind all day. And also bedrotting in my dorm, favorite spot.

Q: What is your dream concert? Or the best concert you’ve been to?

A: I love going to concerts and pulling New York and Boston weekends. In Boston, I went to Charli XCX and Troye Sivan. It was so good and really fun too because it was very spontaneous. We didn’t buy tickets beforehand.

Q: How did you get in?

A: We all were at the box office and we got the last two ground tickets for $150. We were right in front, I was at the barricade. I’m usually a type A person, but when it comes to concerts, I think I can be a little wild and more spontaneous.

Q: What’s your favorite food? Or if you could only eat one food for a week, what would it be?

A: I’m going to go with the basic answer: rice. I’ve always [eaten] Asian food at home, so can’t beat it.

Q: Is there anything else you want to talk about?

A: For me, social media is a big thing here… I can’t credit [only] myself, but I feel like [my content] helped publicize the name [of Amherst College] as a whole. When I was applying to Amherst, there was nothing about Amherst College online, and I feel like it’s really important that I get to share what’s going on in our actual daily lives. I get a lot of DMs from high schoolers as well, asking for help about how [they] should navigate college life. I feel like having some guidance and being some sort of a mentor is really helpful. When I came to [Amherst], having mentors was such a helpful thing. Being a mentor online, I feel like I’m contributing something good.