Why UMD?
Picking UMD was a pretty easy call. The campus sits on a hillside right above Lake Superior, and most schools just can't offer that kind of connection to the outdoors. It's a big part of what makes going to school here feel different.
Duluth isn't just a college town, it's an outdoor town. Between classes I can hit the trails at Lester Park, fish the river, or drive ten minutes to Spirit Mountain and get a few runs in. The whole city feels like it was made for people who want to stay active.
Lester Park & the Outdoor Lifestyle
Lester Park is one of those spots most people don't know about. The Lester River runs through a forested gorge with waterfalls, hiking trails, and some of the best steelhead fishing around. It's five minutes from campus and feels like a totally different world.
Between morning runs on the Superior Hiking Trail, kayaking on Park Point, and mountain biking the Duluth Traverse, it's easy to balance school with getting outside. And that balance is a big part of what keeps me going.
Campus & Community
The campus is nice. Modern buildings, good facilities, and nature everywhere you look. The Labovitz School of Business gives me a solid foundation in analytics and consumer research. And because the classes are smaller, I actually know my professors, which makes a real difference.
The community here is tight-knit too. Cheering on the hockey team at AMSOIL Arena, studying in the library with a view of the lake. It all just feels right. I'm glad I ended up here.