Meet Noga Newberg

Noga has centered her education around her involvement within the West Philadelphia community. An urban studies major, her experiences working with kids in the classroom and the community have confirmed her goal of pursuing a career in urban education.

What made you choose the College?
"I came to Penn because I wanted to be in an urban environment that makes strong connections with the surrounding community. I also liked its large Jewish community and the strong academics and leadership positions that students hold. You can become incredibly involved as a student at Penn with any issues that may interest you."

What did you think you would major in before arriving at Penn?
"I was thinking about education, urban studies, and also art therapy. I have done more than I could have imagined in terms of education and urban studies, and am thinking about work on progressive education reform."

What do you like most about being a student at Penn?
"I just love West Philly. I think it's a wonderful neighborhood where a lot of really valuable projects are going on. I'm always really excited about the intercultural programming that happens and the dialogues that occur between students and those in the community. I really appreciate the academics. Classes have been really solid, really challenging, in a way that I didn't expect an Ivy League education to be. I really had to push myself beyond textbook learning or traditional forms of education and extend myself outside the classroom."

What was your favorite class at Penn and why?
"Community Economic Development (URBS 452), Teaching Plato's Republic (GHCLST 352), Cross-Cultural Awareness (EDUC 566) are all courses that have forced me to think outside of the box. They gave me valuable methods of communicating, researching, and teaching. All tools that I have adapted to my life outside of Penn."

How have you pursued your studies outside the classroom?
"As a result of participating in the Penn Program for Public Service Internship, I wrote a proposal for an arts-based after school program in West Philadelphia. This after school program, Expressions, has been running daily programs to meet the needs of youth in the area for over a year and has been a great success. I have also taken multiple Academically Based Community Service Courses and, as a result, spend a lot of time as teaching assistant in University City High School. I am now also working under the Ford Grant to implement a Problem-Based Learning curriculum into West Philly schools."

What is so great about Philadelphia?
"Opportunity, diversity and manageability. Philadelphia is a hub for exciting and innovative projects that could not take place elsewhere. The city is diverse enough that it has something for everyone. It is truly a city of neighborhoods—and in every niche of the city you find something new and exciting to explore."

What advice would you give to incoming students?
"Take one course every semester that is outside of your major and comfort zone. Push yourself to meet new people outside of your culture and ethnic background. Have fun but take advantage of the wonderful intellectual community that we have here. Perhaps, most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help."

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