87. Michael J. Vetrano

Suzhou, China · Agriculture and Life

Sciences

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
I am the Head of School at the Dulwich College International High School in Suzhou, China. I have been working in the international teaching circuit for seven years—in Madrid, Spain and now China. Before that, I was a teacher in schools in and around New York City. I am addicted to traveling, and do it every second I can. I have traveled to every country in Western Europe and many countries in Eastern Europe and Asia.

What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?
Take advantage of everything offered to you. Drink in every experience and become part of the university. It will go by very quickly, and if you don't make an effort to become a part of something, you will miss it.

What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
In Shanghai, this past May, I was in a bar with a few of my friends, and I overheard a guy talking about his ILR classes. Cornell is the only place I know that calls it ILR. So I asked him about it and it turns out he was there with about 10 current Cornell students. We had some drinks and had a great time.

What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
It means a lot of things. It means that I have a link to the greatest university in the world for the rest of my life. It means that I'm a member of an elite group of people who spread out across the globe. It means I can proudly wear the Red and White and hold my head up high. I am a Cornellian!