Uncommon Projects
Strengthening our network and creating connections across the world has always been our focus, and our commitment and dedication did not stop even when travels and personal gatherings became impossible
Our regular virtual gatherings!
Connect virtually, every Sunday evening
The well-established Sunday evening virtual M&C (Milk & Cookies), led by Corinne Morgan’13, continues to be very popular with alums from all over the world!
If you wish to connect and chat with other MHC alums from all generations, please feel free to join every Sunday evening at 8:00 PM (CET) 7:00 (GMT)
Check the MHEAC Facebook or email mhceurope@gmail.com for the Zoom link and details of the next gathering.
Et maintenant en français...!
Since 2024 Méryem Puill-Châtillon ‘80 (pictured, left) has been leading French conversations lessons for alums and students from all over the world.
Are you eager to practice your French and meet other Francophile members of our community? Remember to join every other Thursday at 6:30 pm CET for an hour of French conversation and fun. This bi-monthly event is open to all levels. Bienvenue à toutes!
Check the MHEAC Facebook or email mhceurope@gmail.com for the Zoom link and details of the next gathering.
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Lunar New Year Celebrations
The 2026 Lunar New Year begins on February 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse. Celebrated around the world, it is a time to gather, share meals, and exchange good wishes. A beloved tradition is the giving of red envelopes, passed from elders to younger family members to convey blessings of luck, health, and prosperity. We invite our global community to join the Red Envelope Challenge in support of the International Student Scholarship Fund.
How the Challenge works:
1. When 188 participants post a Lunar New Year greeting, the Alum Association unlocks $1,837 for international student scholarship via The Mount Holyoke Fund.
2. When we reach 500 participants, a generous anonymous alum unlocks an additional $1,051, bringing the total gift to $2,888 — an especially auspicious number for Lunar New Year.
Post. Celebrate. Make It Count.
Click here to share a message, photo, or video and celebrate the Lunar New Year with our global community and support a meaningful cause. You are welcome to include your name, class year, and current city. Multiple posts are encouraged, though each participant is counted once. The challenge ends on March 3, 2026.
Uncommon Kitchens – celebrating our culinary backgrounds
Born out of two projects launched during the 2020/22 lockdown and social distancing periods, our 2 Uncommon Kitchens cookbooks, available for purchase worldwide on the Amazon platform, gather over 120 recipes submitted by alums and students from dozens of countries around the world. Celebrating the inspiring diversity of our culinary backgrounds, all recipes including fascinating backstories, sharing who and what is behind each dish.
From comforting breakfast specials and traditional family dishes to creative elaborations of old classics and delectable desserts, the cookbooks offer an array of amazing recipes!
You can purchase your copy of Uncommon Kitchens and Uncommon Kitchens Festive Edition below:
Uncommon Kitchens
Order your copy here:
Winning Entry by Nadia Heath ’80 – Scotland
Fly Like A Bird
Uncommon Cameras – celebrating our creativity
Launched in 2021, the Uncommon Cameras photography competition, was open to all Mount Holyoke international alums. This unique initiative was created to celebrate our vibrant and diverse global community, and to bring us virtually together during challenging times.
Uncommon Cameras aimed to celebrate joy, friendship, and creativity and to inspire alums to share images across cultures, geographical borders, and generations.
We received 122 entries by 53 alums from 24 countries and five continents! The jury, formed by alums with diverse international backgrounds, selected 13 finalists and a popular jury selected the final winner!
Literary Aperitifs
In the world of virtual connections, we also launched a series of Literary Aperitifs, where authors, some of them alums, presented their works and led engaging discussions with all participants.
Speakers included British social historian Jane Robinson, certified professional coach Patricia Brooks ’89 and distinguished poets Randi Stebbins ’95 and Marjory Wentworth ’80.
You can watch a recording of their presentations and workshops on our Youtube channel here