In an ongoing feature at PantherNation, we will be checking in every few weeks with ISB alumni as they offer their advice and reactions to university life.

Name: Dan Borenstein

ISB Class Of: 2016

College: NYU Tisch

Years in College: 0.083 (took a gap year)

What career path are you pursuing?

I’m pursuing an acting career for now, at the Stella Adler studio in New York, but I may end up tinkering with stage management and production in the near future as well. So far nothing is certain.

How would you describe the transition from ISB to your new college?

After I graduated I took a gap year in Israel where during the summer- for slightly over 3 months- I volunteered as a first responder in ambulances throughout Tel-Aviv and Ramat Gan in the MDA (Magen David Adom), which is the equivalent of your run-of-the-mill 911 ambulances in the United States.  So fortunately, I’ve had a lot of time to prepare for university which has been extremely nice and not something everyone experiences.

Do you feel ISB prepared you well for your college experience (both academically and socially)?

I think ISB is unique in that friends move into the neighbourhood as well as move away in an uncertain amount of time, which is a frustrating and challenging feat growing up.  It forced me to establish connections quickly which is something that has been super helpful here at uni. Academically ISB almost over-prepared me. I’ve yet to come across a beast more frightening than the IB curriculum. Unless you go to Carnegie Mellon or Cal Tech cause then “gg”, friend.

What advice would you give to this year’s seniors as they follow in your footsteps next year?

If there is anyone still at ISB crazy enough to subject themselves to an attempt in forging an acting career and are interested in studying it at university, you have to know that, yes, you are indeed crazy, but you’re crazy passionate and no one can take that away from you. If drama, or music is what you LOVE then DO IT. Listen to Shia, JUST DO IT! You’ll only wonder later in your life if you should have been doing it the whole time. It’s a difficult path but a respectable one.

Any other thoughts to share?

On a more universal note, I believe that taking a gap year, granted that you plan it out, is one of the best things you will do in your life. No doubt about it.