“I never thought that I would get into Harvard Divinity School. I still remember the morning I received my online acceptance letter. I had just woken up, unlocked my phone in spite of my blurry vision, and saw that I had an update on my application status. Thinking I had surely been rejected, I quickly checked my application only to see virtual confetti sprinkle across my screen and over my acceptance letter. I immediately told my parents the good news, and we were all thrilled.”
Suan Sonna is a first-year master of theological studies student in New Testament and Early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School.
From India to America
To the surprise of many, I am originally from Northeastern India; in particular, the state of Manipur, the district of Churachandpur, and the town of Lamka. My people, the Zomi, are an indigenous tribal community living in India and Myanmar, although there originally was no distinction between where the Zomi lived until British colonists divided India and Burma in 1937, casting half of the Zomi in India and the other half in what is today called Myanmar.
I mention all of this backstory because it helps explain the confusions I’ve had over my identity since childhood. My father came to the United States in 2000 to pursue an MDiv at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and in 2001, my mother, sister, and I were able to join him thanks to the assistance of the American Baptists. As one might imagine, I would often have to explain to people that I am from India even though they thought I look Chinese, Thai, or Filipino. I would also have to explain who the Zomi are, as virtually no one had ever heard of us before.
My identity questions are intertwined with my religious belief and practice. I developed an interest in theology, philosophy, and biblical studies at a young age. And, as time passed, I became increasingly interested in studying Jesus in his original historical context, especially as I began embracing rather than shying away from my own heritage. I began appreciating how my cultural upbringing affected my experience and view of the world, and so I started to wonder the same of Jesus: How did his culture, his context, his religion shape him?
Living like Thomas Aquinas
Before coming to HDS, I studied philosophy at Kansas State University. Not long after graduation, I entered the Dominican Order or the Order of Preachers, which is perhaps most famously known for one friar named Thomas Aquinas. This vocation or calling is known as “religious life” in the Catholic tradition and consists of three vows—poverty (sharing all possessions in common), chastity (or celibacy), and obedience (to superiors and the Church). I entered the Dominican novitiate, which is essentially the “trial version” of religious life. In other words, I did not make permanent vows and so I could leave at any time.
While I was in the Order, I wore a habit or religious robes, prayed and meditated often, cared for the homeless, and took classes on ministry and theology. I noticed, however, how much I enjoyed my scripture and theology classes, and how I missed being on a university campus. For that and other reasons, I ultimately left to continue my academic studies.
Path to Harvard Divinity School
I never thought that I would get into Harvard Divinity School. I still remember the morning I received my online acceptance letter. I had just woken up, unlocked my phone in spite of my blurry vision, and saw that I had an update on my application status. Thinking I had surely been rejected, I quickly checked my application only to see virtual confetti sprinkle across my screen and over my acceptance letter. I immediately told my parents the good news, and we were all thrilled.
My father and I later visited HDS during the Open House for Admitted Students. I was still finalizing my decision, but after getting to know some of my future peers and meeting some of HDS’s stellar professors, I looked at my dad and thought about how much it would mean for my parents and my Zomi community if I went to Harvard. I then decided at the end of the Open House to attend HDS.
First Impressions
I mainly applied here because of how strong the faculty are in the study of Christianity from an ancient Jewish perspective—and because of the renowned diversity of HDS.
I have already made so many friends of various backgrounds and religious traditions here.
People at HDS genuinely want to understand others and expand their worldviews. The professors have also impressed me with their brilliance and approachability. There were times where I would simply ask a brief question and a professor would later send me an essay of theirs on that very topic.
A friend of mine once pulled out and read the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy in class because he disagreed with a certain interpretation of a passage. These instances of attention to detail and scholarly rigor made my first semester here truly unforgettable.
I look forward to my spring semester as I continue my study of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. I hope to continue making my family and Zomi community proud of the work I am able to accomplish here at Harvard Divinity School.