Just as I anticipated, my sophomore fall at Middlebury was a blast! I was very happy to get to see my friends and teammates that I hadn’t seen all summer, and to continue my academic and athletic endeavors. As always, the fall foliage was a highlight of my past few months in Vermont, with the red, golden, and orange hues of the maple trees having painted campus in an autumnal hue. This fall was full of important growth, highlighted by both my major and minor declaration! I am now a joint major in Environmental Studies and Biology, and a minor in Anthropology. I am looking forward to growing my skills these subjects as I look towards a future career in the biological sciences and environmental policy. The liberal arts have given me an opportunity to grow my skills in science while considering the humanities, which has allowed me to improve both my analytical and critical thinking skills, helping me grow as a person. Outside of class and studying, most of my time is taken up by training for Cross Country and Track. Although I was injured the majority of the fall Cross Country season and unable to compete in any races, I was lucky enough to be able to join my teammates on some runs and bike rides during which I was able to enjoy Middlebury’s beautiful surroundings. Now that I’m no longer injured, I’m looking forward to competing during my indoor track season in the 800-meter, 1000-meter, Distance Medley Relay, and Mile events! Other than running, my fall was full of hikes, skiing, swimming, and plenty of other outdoor activities. I am so grateful for the opportunities MVYouth has given me in 2023 and I am looking forward to continuing my studies at Middlebury this spring and abroad next fall!

As my first semester at Middlebury comes to a close, I now reflect back on it as an amazing one full of connection and discovery. I chose Middlebury because its broad range of liberal arts studies, a benefit that I certainly took advantage of in my first three and a half months. I was introduced to the world of comparative literature through the study of folk and fairy tales in my first-year seminar, learned about the Ottoman Empire and the modern Middle East in my history class, analyzed and discussed theories of good in my philosophy class, and continued my studies in French. Each class challenged my understanding of the world and broadened my knowledge across their topics all while acclimating me to the increased workload of college courses.

In addition to my studies, I am on the cross country and track teams here at Midd. I arrived at school early this semester to practice with the team before our first meet and spent time with them outside of practice exploring the areas around campus. It was truly special showing up to campus and immediately having forty friends, all extremely driven and passionate individuals. They’ve all had such an impact on me already and I cannot wait to spend the next four years with them.

Another benefit of being in Vermont is its captivating nature with lush mountains, waterfalls, swimming holes, and trails. One of my favorite trips was when we hiked up to see the sunset at one of the waterfalls, equipped with a beautiful vista of the Adirondacks. Although all the foliage is gone and there’s snow on the ground now, I’m looking forward to ski season during the second semester! The opportunities that attending college has already granted me are boundless. I am incredibly grateful for the support MVYouth has given me this past semester!