I spent much of my senior year of high school doing remote learning - I didn't leave my house very often and seldom had chances to meet up with my friends. But since moving to UMass Amherst this fall, that reality was turned upside down. Despite the inevitable adjustment period, I believe the drastic change has been for the good, academically and socially. Growing up on the Vineyard, whose year round population is less than the total enrollment at UMass, moving away for school was a big change. With that change comes a slew of new opportunities. I’ve been really enjoying my classes so far, and as a horticulture science major in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, getting to work in the greenhouses and doing hands-on labs has been great. Meeting people with the same interests in horticulture, botany, and agriculture, has been one of the benefits of attending a (comparatively) large school. I’ve also been able to expand my interests beyond what I’m used to. I’ve joined several clubs, from beekeeping to archery to film production. I’ve also been getting to meet tons of new people from all over the country and the around the world, and I’m grateful to be able to make so many friends from different backgrounds. Needless to say, the pandemic has certainly thrown a wrench in people’s daily lives, and has presented plenty of challenges for a fully in-person experience. Despite that, we’ve managed to stay healthy and have been able to have in-person classes for the fall semester. I’m excited to go back again for the spring, but being back on the Vineyard for winter break also reminds me of the values of our community and inspires me to use my education to better the place I call home. I’m very grateful to MVYouth for helping me get to experience all of this - only one semester in, but it’s truly been life changing! Thank you very much!