Harvard 10th Year Reunion Reflections

I just got back from Boston attending my Harvard 10th Year Reunion. I haven’t been back on the campus since I graduated. So it was refreshing to see how much Boston and Harvard changed and (didn’t changed).

Harvard was just as the same on: it sorta drops you in and lets you figure it out. I chose to stay on campus for housing, and I was assigned Cabot House, which is 0.6 miles away from the campus. They told me about the shuttles but they never came; I only rode it once! With so many reunion events, it was up to me to figure it out (ended up taking Uber or biking). This was sorta like my freshman year experience where most of everything was sorta on me to figure it out. I think for first timers, this can be a bewildering experience but I was kinda used to it so good to have that old Harvard experience back.

The dorm was old and dinky as 10 years ago. Broken window, tiny cramped showers/bathroom, no amenities. But I gotta admit; the bed was just as comfy. I slept like a baby.

I was in Winthrop House (which at the time was the worst house due to its conditions). After I graduated they started renovations and now, I think it’s the best house. It’s so much better. I’m jealous!

One thing I liked during the reunion was people didn’t talk about AI as much. No AI ads. No AI conversations in the cafe. It was refreshing.

I think 800/1600 graduates came, and ~100 had kids. And I think around ~400 were married.

In our conversations, number one thing everyone said was everyone is trying to find the next thing to do. I was surprised because this would normally come up at a 5th year reunion (like a sophomore phase). But 10 years after graduation, I was surprised to hear this very often. You normally do your new-grad job out of college and then think about what you really wanna do based on that experience. But 10 years afterwards, you are in your 30s, and it’s sorta late to do a hard pivot in your careers. I keep thinking about the Alibaba CEO Jack Ma quote: in your 20’s learn as much as possible. In your 30’s, gain expertise and hone in. in your 40’s, make the money. In your 50’s, think about mentoring the next generation.

We had our final dinner celebrations in the Harvard Hockey Rink, which I never went to during my times there. People ate dinner, chatted over drinks, and took photos. It was tame. When I went back to Cabot House later, the 5th Year Reunion had their party at the Quad outside, and it was very picturesque: there was summer rain, under the big white tent the alums were singing in unison and bumping; (they had their college years kinda ruined due to COVID). Cathartic? Them kids looked hella happy, and there was so much energy in the air. I just kinda sat at the table and took it all in. As the kids were jumping up and down singing and dancing in a giant clump in the middle of the white tent while gentle Boston rain was drizzling outside with a warm halo glow coming from the lanterns, I just couldn’t help but reminisce about my college years: how young, stupid, and fun it was.

That being said, I don't know if I will be back for the 15th. This was a last minute decision so who knows. But if there’s one thing cathartic about my trip here: Harvard was not easy for me. I laughed and cried. I was lost. I struggled. But 10 years after graduation, although I have a long way to go, I think I’m in a much better place. I’m happy. And with that, I thought to myself: “I didn’t think I was gonna be where I am today 10 years ago, but good job on making that happen Bryan. You did it man. Be proud of yourself.”