As a kid, I always pictured myself living in a city when I got older. Growing up in Toronto, the fast pace, tall buildings, and constant energy felt normal — it was home. When I was in middle school, my parents decided to move our family to Guelph. While Guelph is still technically a city, it is significantly smaller than Toronto. When we first moved to Guelph, I remember feeling completely out of place. I missed the buzz of the city so much and I wanted nothing more than to go back.
Dog Walks Through The Woods
As I got older, I found a new appreciation for the outdoors. I began to realize that living in Guelph gave me an access to nature that Toronto couldn’t offer. Walking our dog changed from navigating busy city streets to peaceful trails through the woods. My family began going on more walks and hikes and spending more time outside. It began to feel like a slower, calmer, more natural way of life. This is where I began to realize the importance of the environment and spending time in nature.
New Hobbies
Along with this, when I was 13, I picked up snowboarding. This further grew my love for nature. Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to get the opportunity to ski in some pretty amazing places like Fernie, BC, and Whistler, BC. These experiences continued to expand my love for the outdoors. I continued to explore my love for snowboarding which is, in part, what led me to Bishops.
A Nature Walk to Class
Now that I am here at Bishops, my love for nature continues to grow. Bishop’s is unique in the sense that it is entirely surrounded by nature. While walking through campus to class, you are surrounded by trees and quiet roads. On occasion you will be greeted by deer, or other wildlife. This is just part of the Bishop’s experience!
Living The Wild Life, Literally
Bishops itself is surrounded by rivers and forests. I have been lucky enough so take full advantage of this. My friends and I will often go on hikes on the weekend, or even walk around the trails that surround the campus. During my fall reading week, my friends and I spent our time in Charlevoix, hiking the mountains. Most weekends during the winter, my friends and I will cross the border and spend our day in Vermont skiing at Jay Peak.
Living here in Lennoxville has exposed me to nature in new ways and offered me a truly unique experience that I am grateful to be able to take part in.
Last Minute Switch Up
When I applied to Bishop’s, I originally planned on coming here for business. At the very last minute I changed my major from business to environmental studies. I realized that, although I like business, I don’t have the same passion for it as I do for the environment. I now plan on combining business and environment in some way for my career after school. Bishops and the environment that surrounds it has enabled me to discover what I believe to be important academically and personally
A Trip to The Farm!
As an environmental studies major, I have a large appreciation for everything outdoors. Being here at Bishops, where we are surrounded by all sorts of nature and wildlife, I have been able to embrace my love for the outdoors and enhanced my learning experience. Because of our location, it has allowed for hands-on education. When the weather permits it, my professors will often take our class outside. In my first year we frequently would visit the campus farm to enhance our learning. It felt like a truly unique experience.
All Thanks to Bishops
Bishops University has offered me a truly unique experience, allowing me the opportunity to engage with what I love. Through this access to nature, I have learned so much about myself, my interests, and what I need for my own happiness and success.
