Finding a Home Within Cornell

As we dig into the semester, enjoy sophomore Ben Picket's description of two organizations that have made him feel at home here at Cornell!

By: Ben Picket '18

I remember going through the college admissions process and weighing the factors that would make my college decision easier. For me, and possibly for many of you, my biggest concern about Cornell was figuring out how to make such a big school feel homey and comfortable. Just as with any college, moving away from home and acclimating oneself to a new environment will initially be a challenge. But, what I found over the course of the past few years, is that involving yourself in a variety of different clubs or groups is an incredible way to meet new people and find yourself a home that you are eager to return to time and time again. One of my favorite organizations that I am involved with on campus is Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit organization that provides seeing-eye dogs to the visually impaired. Not only do you get to surround yourself with puppies on a weekly basis, but you also get the chance to meet new people whose interests align with your own.

I am also part of a business fraternity on campus that has allowed me to both hone my professional skills and meet some of my best friends. Upon joining a business fraternity, one goes through a 10 week long pledging process that is meant to emulate a summer internship. Through the process, you bond with your pledge class and gain a far greater understanding of what to expect of the job recruitment process. These are just two of the hundreds of different groups that one can get involved with at our university. With all of the resources at your fingertips, it is far easier than you would expect to find your community on Cornell’s campus.