Family and Friends

Family and Friends,
As many of you know, I will be pursuing a master’s degree in Boston beginning in September. Through the guidance, support, and love of my family and friends I am assured that this move is going to be a capstone to my growth as a young individual and a perfect bridge to my professional career goals.
I will continue my studies at Tufts University, a private research university in Medford/Somerville, near Boston. The University is home to the nation’s oldest graduate school of international relations: The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. My graduate school: The Gerald J and Dorothy R. Friedman (no relation), is the only graduate school of nutrition science in the nation. The school is actually located in the Health Science Center, right in the middle of downtown Bean Town near Chinatown and the Theater district. Much of their own research is done in the adjoining hospital, labs and exercise science center.
Hey Longhorns, eat your heart out:


Jumbo, Tufts University's official mascot, was a male African elephant owned by P.T. Barnum, a Tufts trustee and benefactor. Jumbo was the largest elephant known at the time, standing approximately 12 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing more than six tons.
Though Jumbo never visited the Tufts campus during his lifetime, Barnum donated Jumbo's stuffed hide to Tufts College in 1889, when the pachyderm became the Tufts mascot.

Davis Square



No car is necessary due to the beauty of public transportation. I will be living 7 stops out of town on the Red Line in Davis Square. I look forward to the 20 minute ride with my coffee or tea and the newspaper, people watching or catching up on course readings. The red line goes right through Harvard Square and MIT. Davis Square is a cobblestone square of mostly local businesses, mainly coffee shops, hip clothing and ethnic restaurants. The Somerville Community Path runs right through the middle of the square, and is really close to the Minuteman Bikeway, which is a 13 mile paved, shaded loop to Lexington. The square is known for its artsy folk, music and has a farmers market on Wednesdays. The award winning Johnny D’s has a Sunday Jazz Brunch that is already calling my name.

Minute Man Bike Path




A three-minute walk from my subway stop leads me down Jay Street to my quaint and comfortable apartment. Here is the street view:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=9+Jay+St,+Somerville,+MA+02144,+USA&ll=42.404731,-71.124802&spn=0.009443,0.028152&z=15&iwloc=addr

I will be living on the bottom floor, under the owners of the house, who, luckily, shovel our snow. My roommate, Katie, I met through Craigslist and have stayed with the few times I have visited the school. We will make a good match. She is in her 30’s and works for an investment banking firm. She knows a great deal about the city and all the happenings and has a large collection of tour books to assist my adventures. She likes quiet evenings, a glass of red wine, and small dinner parties. The house is clean, with a pottery barn feel and an in-unit washer and dryer. My room is an average size with a moderate size closet to fit my expanding wardrobe of warmth.

Tufts Campus





The Tufts University campus is also located in Somerville close to the Davis Square stop. Although I will be taking limited class at the campus, I will however be close to the facilities: the recreation center, student health center, bookstores and libraries.

I will be entering the program at Friedman as a Food Policy and Applied Nutrition student. Since I have already obtained my Registered Dietitian Certification, I have accumulated a few graduate courses that allow me to place out of a few introductory classes. This leaves credits open to cater my education as I see fit. I foresee myself merging classes in the Agriculture, Food and Environment tract. You can read more about the programs at:
http://nutrition.tufts.edu/1174562918439/Nutrition-Page-nl2w_1177953853007.html

Each student is required to complete a 400 hour internship of your choice. Some of the previous students have worked with Non-Governmental Organizations like Save the Children or the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington DC. Others:
Summer 2006 AFE Student Internships
• World Bank/Tufts University, Bangladesh
• SJH & Co. Agribusiness Consulting, MA
• UNICEF
• UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Italy
• Organic Valley, WI
• Center for Disease Control, USDA, Federal programs
• Organic Farming Research Foundation, CA
• M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, India
• Winrock International, Nepal
• Equal Exchange/Red Tomato, MA
• New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, MA

As you can see the possibilities are wide-ranging and allow me the freedom to follow a path of integrity and altruistic humanitarian pursuits as well as break some cultural boundaries in the process. The prestige of the school and its strong connections leave me in good standings as I enter the professional world. Many graduates of the program secure positions from their internship providers or the like. There are also opportunities to secure a dual degree through the combined degree programs at other schools. I can get my Masters of Science (MS) as well as a Masters in Public Health(MPH) which is through the Medical School or a Masters of Arts in Law and Diplomacy(MALD) through the renowned Fletcher School. Of course these bridges will be crossed once I get settled in and consult my adviser.

Obviously, this investment in my future is not free, although with a lot of help, I have secured some funds. I am happy to report that Tufts has offered me $16,000, or $4,000 a semester. I also received the 2008 Barbara Ann F. Hughes- NEP DPG Continuing Education Award of $1000. I am waiting to hear back from numerous other scholarships I applied for, and trust the big bucks will start rolling in.  Boston is an expensive city and going back to Top Raman, after being spoiled with the Austin Restaurant Scene, my own garden, and Wheatsville Co-op is going to take some adjustment. I plan on working on my crock-pot skills to provide my fodder by the week. Lentils are sure to be my best friend, as will Clam Chowder and Sam Adams. Care packages with chips and salsa are highly encouraged.

I have been asked by my Dietetic Practice Group, HEN, aka Hunger and Environmental Nutrition to be the Legislative Chair for 2008-2009. This group has been instrumental in my career aspirations and I have connected with many of the members on the East coast who are awaiting my arrival. Some part time job prospects are available. My position with HEN will allow me to stay abreast of the world of dietetics while perusing my degree. The are paying for me to attend the HEN steering committee meeting at a farm outside of Minneapolis at the end of September along with 11 other members. They will also be partially financing my attendance at the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition conference in Chicago October 25-27. These are huge networking and professional events.

I am heartened to hear that the bluegrass scene is alive and kicking in Boston, with some of the neatest venues and picking places on the East Coast. There also is a presence of Kerrville Folk living in Somerville that will no doubt become my weekly friends. My daily friends will consist of two girls I met at Open House. Caroline Chapman has been living in Cambridge for a couple years and is working at Harvard Medical School doing research on Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t have a nutrition background, but a true passion and understanding of the field and the issue surrounding it. She is sweet and pleasant and looks forward to dinner parties and wine. I was happy to hear she plays acoustic guitar as well. Sophie Oppenheimer is my other breath of fresh air. She is from Colorado and will be my constant reminder to get outside and run away to the hike scenic areas of New England. Sophie and I ducked out early of the research conference to walk around the city and we were instant buddies. She has a huge heart and will work in Humanitarian Assistance program. We and 3 other Friedman students already have lawn tickets to attend Farm Aid in Boston in September. Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and Neil Young will be playing.

Boston is a perfect city for a patriot to get a sure glimpse of the history and progressiveness that our forefathers brought forth. Walking near Boston Common you are immediately surrounded by the battlegrounds of the true patriots. Boston Harbor housed the biggest tea party known to man. One balcony near Faneuil Hall is the first place the Constitution of the United States was read. Also to see are The Boston Massacre Site, Paul Reveres House, the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument (to name a few). The Boston Public Library is breathtaking. I envision myself studying with the finest of thinkers within the marble walls. Orientation at the end of the month will include a Duck Tour that paints a great picture of this marvelous city.

Boston Common in October




Boston Public Library




"Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice, and need."

Don’t be surprised if I return wearing red socks instead of Chaco’s.



I leave you with some of my favorite quotes that have lit my fire along my journey. Thank you all for your love and support and I look forward to your visits, emails and phone calls. Love, Ashley

"Unless someone like You cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."-Dr. Seuss
"The destiny of nations depends on how well they nourish themselves." Brillat-Savarin
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” Network
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. “ -Edward Abbey
"True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else." - Clarence Darrow
“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” -Benjamin Franklin
“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Ashley Colpaart
9A Jay St
Somerville, MA 02144
512.644.5062