A Sense of Place

First year students begin their Sterling career with a two-week intensive class called A Sense of Place. The course is an introduction to the ecology, society, and culture of northern New England. Classes include botany, human history, land- use practices, and visits to local artists and farms. Students participate in outdoor challenge activities and small group work, learn about establishing norms of social conduct, build community, and initiate conversations about what it means to live sustainably.