Modern communication
In my basement sits an artifact of a bygone era: the shortwave radio that accompanied me to China in the early 80s. Whether I was listening to Voice of America, the BBC, or even Armed Forces Radio (broadcasting from Saipan), it was my lifeline, connecting me to news and music from the rest of the world. When I returned to the U.S., I frequently listened to Chinese broadcasts via shortwave to keep up my language skills.
A few years later, the shortwave remained useful for my husband, Paul, and me, when my brother-in-law played in a band that could sometimes be heard on the BBC’s John Peel Show. (Check out the band, BOB, on Youtube — great song and a video with all the production value an 80s indy band could muster.)
Of course, it’s hard to imagine that a shortwave radio serves as a lifeline for anyone these days. Whether you want to connect yourself to somewhere you’ve been, or somewhere you’re going, there are endless options for you!
Applying to Fletcher and want to learn more about the Boston area? Check out The Boston Globe, WBUR, the Somerville Journal, or even the “sports hub.” Want to know more about the University? Read the Tufts Daily or listen to University radio station WMFO. Chances are you don’t have the time to explore all these sources, but there’s no shortage of information out there to help you make an informed choice on where you’ll pursue graduate study. All without listening to a shortwave radio.