"I love the phrase, 'Any person, any study.'"

Belan Antensaye '18

Major: Biology & Society – Pre-Med

Minor: Global Health

Hometown: Essex, VT

Why did you choose Cornell?

I know it’s cheesy, but I love the phrase, “Any person, any study.” It drew me in. I felt like I had options here, and I would be able to study so many things. I’m drawn to science and medicine, but I’m interested in so much more than that. One of the best things is that Cornell has so many people who are working hard to do such great things. It’s an environment you can really fall in love with.

Why did you choose your major?

I think my major fits me very well. I’ve always been interested in a lot of different things, but I want to do medicine, so I felt like Biology & Society incorporated science as well as the humanities, which is exactly what I wanted.

What has been your favorite class at Cornell so far and why?

My favorite class has been Ethics of Health and Medicine. It was so interesting because it brought up a lot of things that I hadn’t thought about before. When most people think about medicine they think about biology and chemistry, but this class helped me think about what it means to be a doctor and what you do as a doctor. Being a doctor is more than just dealing with disease. You have to be able to identify all of the other factors involved with treating a patient. This class also brought up important ethical issues and questions.

Where is your favorite study spot at Cornell?

Either the second floor of Mann Library or the sixth floor study rooms in Olin Library.

What are you involved with at Cornell?  Why are these activities important to you?

I’m in Hearsay A Cappella and I have fallen in love with the idea that we can make instrumental noises just by singing. I’m in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, which emphasizes leadership, fellowship and service. I’m a Cornell Tradition Fellow and I’m a Cornell Arts & Sciences Ambassador. It’s a way for me to share my love of Cornell with others and help other students have good experiences here, too.

What is your favorite Cornell memory?

Last summer I worked for the pre-freshman summer program, which was so amazing. I stayed at Cornell over the summer and helped incoming freshmen make the transition to Cornell. I loved doing this because I’ve had such great experiences here at Cornell, and I want new students to as well.

What do you value about your liberal arts education?

We’re going to school to learn how to live and work in the “real world.” I think that it’s important to have a liberal arts education, and to understand a variety of things, rather than just specifics. Having a liberal arts education allows me to be a whole person and to exercise every part of myself. I love taking classes that don’t relate to my major directly, that I find interesting and help me understand other people and myself.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I hope to be finishing up med school!