I major in cognitive science in college of arts and sciences, and minor in music and inequality. I love music, cooking, rock climbing and really enjoy talking to people. Also, I grew up in China though I was born in US. So if you're seeking perspectives from international students or interested in related fields, come to me!

Hometown

Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China

Major(s)

Cognitive Science, Biological Sciences (Neurobiology and Behavior)

Minor(s)

Music, Inequality, Moral Psychology, Theater

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Cornell Chorus, Big Red Buddies, Melodramatics, Cornell Undergraduate Research Board

Describe your college experience

A year ago, I arrived in Ithaca for Orientation Week feeling excited, but also awkward and overwhelmed. Having grown up in China, almost everything felt unfamiliar to me—the language, the culture, the weather, and the fact that Ithaca is such a small town. Looking back, what helped me most was realizing that Cornell is full of opportunities and people willing to support you, as long as you're willing to reach out and seize them. Over the past year, I challenged myself to say yes to new experiences. I joined chorus after years away from choir singing, fulfilled a longtime dream of performing in a musical, and volunteered with children at local Early Head Start sites. Through classes, student organizations, and conversations with professors, advisors, TAs, and fellow students, I gradually found a sense of belonging and community. I also took steps toward my goal of becoming a researcher and was fortunate to join a research lab in a field I am excited to explore further. My first year taught me that college is about much more than academics. It is about exploring who you are, discovering what genuinely excites you, and building meaningful connections with the people around you. What once felt unfamiliar now feels more like home, and I am really excited to help prospective students imagine their own place here at Cornell.

Tip for future students

Bring your thickest gloves--Ithaca winters are no joke! And a more serious version would be, staying open-minded helps you grow here.

Favorite class

Social Inequality with Professor Kim Weeden. Part of the reason is that Professor Weeden is incredibly knowledgeable and funny, which made every lecture engaging. But what I appreciated most was the opportunity to explore a subject I had always been curious about but never really had the chance to study before. My high school offered limited AP courses, and as someone who came to Cornell intending to pursue STEM, I suspected I might be interested in topics in social sciences but lacked the vocabulary and framework to think about them in a deeper way. This class introduced me to sociological theories and ways of understanding existing inequality in American society that I had never encountered before. This course sparked such a strong interest in the subject that I am now considering pursuing a minor in Inequality.

Career goals

I plan to go to graduate school for PhD and do research in the field of cognitive science.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Put some music on, make myself a drink and watch a movie from my "saved" list.

High school or secondary school

North America International High School, Suzhou, China Xinghai High School, Suzhou, China