Hu Zeyu ’20

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About Hu

Why did you choose Cornell?

Cornell gave me the ability to take classes from many different departments, and the E&S interdisciplinary capability attracted me the most. Since the curriculum and requirements were flexible, I was able to take classes that were not all related to my major.

What was your favorite class and why?

My favorite class at Cornell was NTRES 2100 - Field Biology. As a core class of the major, most students took the class our sophomore fall. As a hands-on field class, we would head off-campus twice a week to conduct field work in the surrounding Ithaca region, learning how to identify and classify native biota and develop field skills. This class really brought my graduating class of E&S majors together as we all got to know each other while in the field! To this day, I still use my tree identification knowledge to identify trees when I go hiking. 

What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Cornell education?

The most valuable skill I learned from Cornell is how to study. Although this might sound strange at first, Cornell taught me how to ask the right questions and be more intellectually curious. I realized that after taking a class I often had more questions about the subject matter than when I started. This skill translates well in the workplace, as my curiosity allows me to find creative ideas to answer problems.  

What did you accomplish as a Cornell student that you are most proud of, either inside the classroom or otherwise?

My proudest accomplishment was representing Cornell at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Katowice, Poland in December 2018. Having drafted a policy brief on the issue of loss and damage for a partner organization, I was at the conference to aid my partner organization and learn more about the climate negotiation process, as well as promote Cornell's vast climate research to the world. Attending the conference really opened my eyes to the complexity of issues that all relate back to climate change. It also gave me hope to see member states working together, coming up with strategies and plans to combat this global issue. 

What was your main extracurricular activity while you were at Cornell and why was it important to you?

I was Editor-in-Chief for Guac Magazine, Cornell's only travel magazine, which I co-founded in my junior year. As an international student, I wanted the value of diversity to be appreciated and known. Thus, using a travel magazine as a springboard, I was able to tell stories of different cultures and identities worldwide, celebrating the beauty of the world that I hope inspires people to go out and experience different cultures for themselves.

How did your perspective change while you were at Cornell? How have these changes influenced your pursuits since graduating?

Although I have frequently been taught that “teamwork makes the dream work”, Cornell really made me understand this. I met some of the smartest and most passionate people during my time on campus. It amazed me every day to hear about the incredible research and projects my peers were involved in. I strongly believe that when Cornellians work together, nothing is impossible.

If you were to offer advice to an incoming first-year student, what would you say?

Use your first year to explore! Take classes in areas that you find interesting or simply think you might enjoy - you might discover something new. Also befriend your Professors! They are some of the most interesting and easy-going people and love it when students come talk to them about things other than coursework.

Where would you like to be in ten years?

I would like to be working in the field of sustainable development. I want to work in reducing poverty, improving the life of others, while also building prosperity in a sustainable way.