Benjamin L.
My favorite thing about Cornell is its motto, "any person, any study. "Only at Cornell have I found the opportunity to blend so many disciplines into my field of study. I have enjoyed bridging the biological sciences with hospitality and design, even looking at how social policy can better human development. You can also always find collaborative people to work or study with through classes or clubs.
Big Red Ambassadors (President), CU Tonight (VP of Communications), The Wardrobe (Finance Director), Asian American InterVarsity, Weill Ithaca Network, Phi Delta Epsilon, Alpha Zeta, Human Ecology Dean's Undergraduate Advisory Council, Senior Convocation Committee, Psi Chi, PATCH, Chinese Student Association, Information Specialist and Tour Guide, BIOG 1500 Head Teaching Assistant, NS 4500 Teaching Assistant, and Life History Lab Research Assistant.
Human Ecology was the main reason why I came to Cornell! It was the only school I found that really focused on bettering the human experience and improving health by integrating science and policy. It also specifically appealed to me because of its human-focused lens within the curriculum, where we take classes in human development, nutrition, and fashion!
The thing I like the most about my major is better understanding how the human biology and environment interact to shape health outcomes, whether that is from a social perspective, like examining structural disparities for health equity, or a biological one, like how chronic stress influences metabolic health.
I am also part of The Wardrobe, which is found within the Cornell Career Network Office in Barnes Hall! The Wardrobe has been one of the best resources I found on campus, as they provide free professional clothing and black attire for all students, whether that is to rent or take home! I found out about them through their pop-up shops, with so many students able to achieve their professional goals without the burden of financial costs.
It is okay to not have everything figured out! I applied to Cornell as a different major than what I am today, and I was also not completely sure on what career paths I wanted to pursue. I ended up following my aspirations and what I wanted to do here at Cornell, and it led me to find the right place and community over time.
There are definitely a few I met from day one at Orientation Week, but you do not have to find your solid friend group that early on! I found a lot of friends and community through different clubs I have joined, like Phi Delta Epsilon, where I met some of the best people interested in medicine and peers in my classes that I can always rely on for a quick study session or tips on what classes I should take.
I really came to Cornell for the College of Human Ecology, as I could not find any other school or college like it! I love the mission of the college in focusing on how to improve the human experience through multidisciplinary studies. It is something I want to carry into my future career and any work I do beyond Cornell.
I am constantly inspired by how we can turn science as a tool to uplift communities. Learning about the biological and social factors that shape health outcomes pushes me to think beyond the lab and consider the people behind the data. The intersection where evidence and empathy meet is what drives me day by day.
I have a secret obsession with the Route 13 at Bus Stop Bagels! It is essentially a bagel with smoked salmon, capers, onion, and cream cheese! It is such an easy meal to get on the go or sit outside in the Agriculture Quad with friends.
Definitely going to the slope during the sunsets! There is just something so special when you see a bunch of Cornellians staring into the distance with the sun setting past Cayuga Lake and the clock tower chimes ringing. It is always so nice to lay down blankets, blast your favorite music, and spend time with friends.
One of my favorite memories was probably presenting my first research poster with my peers in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research Symposium. I remember being nervous at first, but my peers and mentors were so supportive and really showed me how collaboration and curiosity drives my growth and learning here at Cornell. It was also nice to see everyone curious to learn more about my research and disseminating the knowledge with the science community.
HD 4850: Professional Development in Translational Research This class is reserved for PRYDE (Program for Research on Youth Development and Engagement) Scholars. We meet every Friday for a discussion on latest research topics and how we can bolster positive youth development in the New York 4-H Program. It is one example of the many ways we uphold connections with the New York State as a land grant institution and is a tangible way to see what we learn in the classroom take effect in the real world. It is also one of the best ways to wrap up a busy week with some of my favorite people.
The people you meet at Cornell is are so special. I have never met so many people from all different walks of life and from such diverse backgrounds. You also grow together and learn what it means to be a Cornellian through late-night study sessions or by celebrating traditions at the Men's Ice Hockey Games.
My secret study spot is on the third floor of Olin Library called the Peter C. Meinig 1961 Memorial Reading Room. The walls are decorated with different flowers and it's a nice and quiet place to finish any work you might need to complete when you are in a time crunch.
My favorite spot on campus is probably Beebe Lake. I love passing by during my morning walks to class. It is also a serene place to take a break from the hectic campus and not think about academics. It is also amazing to walk the trail along the lake during the fall or go canoeing.
I plan on pursuing a career in healthcare, potentially becoming a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant! I will take a gap year first to see where the world takes me.
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