Meet Venise Battle

Focusing on a career as a writer, Venise is also fascinated by spoken word events and decided to pursue an English major and an individualized major in Urban Poetry, to further study how words make it from the "page to the stage." Going above and beyond traditional ideas about research, she attends spoken word events at Penn and in Philadelphia to advance her studies.

What made you choose the College?
"I walked on campus and I was struck by its beauty. It really resonated with my spirit. I felt like this was the right place for me. I appreciated that the students and the institution at Penn are not just about how smart you are, but are equally concerned with how you are going to use your intelligence to positively affect the world."

What did you think you would major in before arriving at Penn?
"I thought that I was going to do a political science and English double major. Political science turned out not to be the field of study for me. I took a folklore class and fell in love with folklore and, consequently, decided to pursue an individualized major in folklore, studying urban poetry. I want to look at the dynamics that are present at a spoken word event. Specifically, I am looking at the intangible aspects of how poetry goes from the page to the stage, focusing on the stage and the forms of expression that are there. I want to look at the cultures that are present in the room and how they synthesize to create a presentation style."

What do you like most about being a student at Penn?
"There is so much to explore. I find myself becoming more and more intellectually curious every day. I am constantly impressed by my peers and I'm honored to belong to the same institution as they do. There is so much to study at Penn. I love how it is broadening my view of the world and making me a more rounded person. It's just exciting being in college in general. I am falling in love with the intellectual independence."

What was your favorite class at Penn and why?
"Folklore 201, American Folklore, was exciting for me. There was something new to learn everyday. It revealed to me the subtle things that matter. For example, when I come home and call my friend and tell her about my day, I am relaying to her a "personal experience narrative." I didn't know it had a name! It's the naming of things that I"m seeking to do in my individualized major."

How have you pursued your studies outside the classroom?
"I try to go to poetry readings and open mike nights on the weekends on campus and in the city. In part because I enjoy it and in part because it's what I'm studying. I go to observe. I am also a writer. So, I try to make time for writing poetry and children's books."

What is so great about Philadelphia?
"It's diverse. It's large. I still haven't completely tapped its resources. It has a great artistic scene. There are so many music and poetry venues. First Friday of every month, you can even go down and see the art galleries in Olde City for free!"

What advice would you give to incoming students?
"Keep your mind open. It's okay if you know what you want to do. Recognize the fact you are going to run into a lot of information that you never knew before. Allow yourself to be curious, ask a lot of questions and take initiative. That's how you get the best out of Penn."

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