This essay is about what I’ve been thinking at Yale during my participation in the Education Ecosystem Practice (EEP) program. The title reflects two motifs of my thought: Yale cares, which means the features of Yale that I observed; I care, which means what I discovered about myself, my future under the influence of Yale.  Yale Cares Yale’s enviable reputation had gained my respects long before my visit. I read the profound legacy of Yale while studying American history: the caesaropapism in Boston provoked a group of people, who later moved to the colony of New Haven and established Yale University as a rivalry against Harvard University with the spirit of liberty. Yale has always been different, comparing to other top U.S universities: during the American Revolution, most universities dismissed their students in the tumult, but Yale did not; during the Vietnam War, most universities obeyed the ban of the federal government by not offering scholarships to students who opposed the war, but Yale did not.

These unique characteristics of Yale held my attention and interest. Luckily, I received an invitation from Professor Yajie Song with a valuable opportunity to experience the Yale environment and atmosphere in person. During my hard work on the Urban Environmental Crisis Management (UECM) project, by walking through the campus and the talking with Yale faculties and students, I have found that Yale cares about a variety of things.  Yale cares about people, even if you are not a student on campus. The people-oriented atmosphere is omnipresent at Yale, like its great wifi service, even for guests like me. However, the Yalies are the best epitomize of this type of caring. A professor in School of Forestry& Environmental Studies (F&ES), before taking us to the neighborhood for field work, reminded us to use the restroom in the building since there was no public restroom around that community. It is every trivial detail that makes me feel at home.  Yale cares about nature, at both large scale and small-scale. For a few afternoons, I did my research assignments in the Kroon Hall, a gorgeous building at the peak of environment-friendly and energy-reducing designing. The proper use of natural light, the collection and usage of storm water and its carefully selected materials, those tangible things I perceived enliven the written definition of environmental protection. Moreover, the clearly-marked trash category on the bins, the brown recycling paper towel in the restroom and the little squirrels jumping over the tips of the branches combine to create the harmony which I enjoyed and appreciated. Yale cares about knowledge, which is the essence of the operation of this academy. I had the pleasure to be involved in an active seminar held by the professor and graduates about the human subject in medical experiments, the inviting introduction of urban ecology by Dr. Gordon Geballe and the research of UECM conducted by Professor Yajie Song. Meanwhile, I was deeply moved by Yale’s staidness and the restless seeking for the truth.  Yale cares about the community, and the connection to the neighborhood. When I first stepped into the 301Prospect Building, where Professor Song’s office is located, I looked around and realized a large part of the campus was more like a residential region. The strong bond between Yale and the community was impressive, when I got to know the Urban Resources Initiatives (URI) project presided by Colleen-Murphy Dunning who organized the high school students in the neighborhood to operate the STRATUM system and protect the sidewalk trees. 

I care professor Song once said to me when the internship started:“ It is now a chance for you to glance at your future in one year, ten years and even twenty years.” And the experience at Yale, particularly at the UECM program, helped me to know more about myself, what I care about, what I am capable of and what I am about to do. Without a background in urban ecology, I started reading piles of materials assigned by Professor Song before my visit. During my internship, I composed two important sections on the forest crises, including alien species invasion and forest fire, which has been a hard but instructive

process. After thumbing through the whole context, I realized there lacked the specific method of management. Thus I looked up hundred pages of related papers, sifted the useful information, found the legal and technological difference between China and other countries and sorted them into clear charts. After days of this endeavor, I finished my assignments and gained recognition from Professor Song. As I am a senior high student, it is nearly impossible for me to get a chance into a serious scientific research. The high standard set by Professor Song and his tutelage galvanized me to accomplish the impossible, at least for time being. And now I am aware of what I am capable of and the task I will face in the colleges. The valuable chance motivates one’s potential, like fire shines the gold.

Moreover, during the EEP training, I found what I am passionate about. Last summer, I joined a volunteer program held by Yunan Institute of Development, witnessing the agony of the poor, especially the children in the most remote village. The idea of helping the poor hovered over my head constantly, and I decided to major in sociology in college. Yet the internship in UECM program facilitated my interest in ecology. And the Community green-space program offered me a great idea, after my own participation. My concern both in children development and environment could be perfectly integrated in this project. The ultimate goal of social and ecological study is to promote the sustainable development of the society, which depends on the amelioration of each community. Through the cooperation with various youth organizations and local schools, the project actively engaged the students, especially those from the poorer communities, into the improvement of their own neighborhood. The interrelationship among the various factors can be shown on the roadmap I made (the arrows mean the influence imposed on the factors and they can be linked up): 

     The colored part of the roadmap is the overlap of sociology and ecology that I am interested in. The theory and practice can also be applied in the developing areas in China, like Yunnan, where the kids have nothing to do but fooling around in holidays, extra money is urgent need for family, awareness of environmental protection need to be awakened. Yet the tremendous effort ought to be paid, winning governmental support, preparing equipment, instructing the relatively uneducated local people. It is the daunting challenge that I will face in ten years, twenty years or even longer. And I am even prepared to do double-major in college. Knowing the direction of my heart is the greatest experience I harvested at Yale. And thanks to all the people I met, especially Professor Yajie Song, Ms. Annie Yu and Ms. Colleen Murphy-Dunning and all the things I encountered, they all teach me how to live a life instead of just living without purpose. It was a life-changing experience. And I will carry on the spirit Yale cares and accomplish the career I care with assiduous work.

URI  Sustainable development Sustainable development of of the society each community Amelioration of the environment  For better management Trees UFORE& Public involvement STRATUM  Monetization of the annul benefits-- economics Adults Minors --the study on effective management of scarce resources ：

1. Knowledge and skills

1. Better

2. Leadership

employment ：

3. Link to the Yale

2. Health

3. Consolidation

4. Less time on hanging out