My first semester at college flew by. UMass Amherst was exactly what I needed in a school. UMass is full of pride, opportunities, great people, dedicated professors, and #1 dining. UMass has the most welcoming people I’ve ever met, and everyone is willing to lend a helping hand. Coming from an island, transitioning to one of the largest universities wasn’t easy, but the professors and people have made me feel like I can do anything. I feel myself becoming more independent every day that I spend there. I know the friends I have met this semester will be in my life for a long time, and I’m so grateful to have the environment UMass, Amherst provides.

I was overwhelmed at first by the opportunities that were everywhere, but I went to club fairs in the first weeks and joined the Outing Club and MASSPIRG. MASSPIRG is an awesome student advocacy group that supports climate action and voting rights. I got involved on my way to class when their tabling crew helped me sign up to vote on the spot. Their members seemed like great people dedicated to the climate crisis. The Outing Club strives to get people in nature by hosting trips like cave diving and climbing local mountains. I’m excited to attend another spring club fair and join more groups.

These months at UMass have been fantastic, and I look forward to many more. My classes and professors have made me want to explore what I can do as an environmental science major. I’m thinking of double majoring or minoring in Natural Resource Conservation or Geoscience. There are endless opportunities college has provided me, and I’m so thankful to have the support of MVYouth. I would have had a much more stressful college life without MVYouth behind me. I’m very grateful to come from such a beautiful island with such generous people.