Student Spotlight: Gia Cabral ’26

Do you have a favorite course that you took at Yale?

My favorite course so far has been Bioethics and Law, which I took in my first year. It was one of my first classes that applied scientific knowledge of biological systems to real-world scenarios to examine the social and legislative implications of medicine. It truly inspired my interests in health policy and my future career path. My professor was extremely knowledgeable and willing to cater our lectures to what the students were interested in so the 250+ person lecture felt much more individualized and meaningful.

What is your favorite place on campus?

When the weather is warm, I love spending time with friends on the lawn between Berkeley College and WLH (William L. Harkness Hall). It is a high-traffic area of campus, so you get to interact with a large part of the student body that you may not see regularly if you don’t share common classes. People play music on speakers, clubs will hand out lemonade or candy, and we can all relax!

Sterling Library is also a beautiful spot to go over my lecture notes or unwind in the courtyard garden. There are so many different rooms—each with varying layouts and atmospheres—so I tend to migrate when I hit a studying-block to stay productive. Plus, GHeav, Pedals, and Donut Crazy are all within a few minutes of walking to easily take a break.

What have you most loved about being at Yale?

I love the feeling of warmth I experience just by walking around campus. It’s impossible to not bump into friends, my head of college, or a TA. Being that I am from California, I only see my family a few times a year, and these small pieces of my Yale community are especially valuable to me.

What do you think you will remember most about your time at Yale after you graduate?

Last semester I had a 9 a.m. Spanish class, earlier than any other class for any other semester I had taken, and I quickly realized I would need to get coffee before. I ended up spending time enjoying the calm, nearly empty walk to class, and it became a really important part of my routine to slow down during a busy week.

How did you decide to get involved with reunions?

I became involved with my high school’s alumnae board shortly after my graduation and found it to be a great way to stay involved with both the current student community and alums. When I saw the hiring page for clerks, it seemed like a great opportunity to have a similar experience with my Yale community.

I was hired as a head clerk and began my work in the spring semester in Rose Alumni House. It gave me an insight into the year-long process that comes along with prepping for the annual reunion weekends and made the experience more meaningful, as I got to see the “final product” of all the effort and preparation I had put into it.

What were your responsibilities as head clerk during Reunion Weekend?

I was headquartered at Silliman College, and I had the opportunity to oversee the logistics for both the 20th and 5th reunion classes. I was in charge of a group of student clerks, ranging from first-years to recently graduated seniors, and we helped in making sure the reunions went as smoothly as possible. Checking in guests, setting up for reunion programming, and communicating with a multitude of other on-campus departments that are involved in making the reunion successful were just a few of responsibilities we had.

Is there anything that surprised you about Reunion Weekend?

I was surprised about the sheer number of people on campus. I had heard about the projected numbers of attendees in the upcoming weeks to the reunions, but seeing it in person was a pleasant surprise. Despite reunions occurring in the summer, campus still felt very much alive and bustling with alums, their partners, and their children.

Reunions are a time for alumni to reconnect with Yale, but did you also feel more connected to Yale as a student working at reunions? How so?

Hearing alumni perspectives on Yale’s evolution made its history feel more personal to me. It also prompted reflection on the changes I might witness after graduation, as well as what enduring aspects of Yale’s culture I hope to see preserved.

Was there a special moment during reunions that will stay with you?

I helped organize the class photo for the Class of 2019’s 5th Reunion, and seeing everyone come together on the steps of Sterling Library was pretty special. Arranging 500 people in ten minutes was a much more difficult task than I originally thought it would be, but the cooperation from the class (and a loudspeaker) really brought it all together. Even Handsome Dan joined in!

Do you plan to attend your own reunion when the time comes? What are you most looking forward to?

Absolutely! Witnessing classmates reunite was incredibly moving, and I eagerly anticipate experiencing that at my own reunion. Though our paths may diverge after graduation, reunions offer a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate our shared Yale experiences.
Any final thoughts to share?

I truly recommend becoming a part of the reunion experience for anyone who loves Yale. It was a really fun way to wrap up my sophomore year by meeting new classmates, connecting with alumni, and feeling more connected to the Yale community. I loved it and hope to be back again next year!