Todd and Andy talked about the importance of natural areas at Cornell and connecting with the land around them. This was something that I never really appreciated until I got here. I grew up in New Jersey, but since my brother lives in Manhattan, I spent a lot of time in the city. I guess being there a while you get used to the cityscape more than the trees. When I came to Cornell, things were kind of a shock. I’d never been in such a vast nature landscape. I guess that should’ve been expected, but in just one year I’ve really connected with the land around me. The landscape of the school feels welcoming, making me feel at home even during the most stressful parts of the semester.