Rudy Hess Completes Experiential Learning Project at SUNY Oneonta

Rudy Hess, of Oxford, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Satoyama Revival: Living Sustainably in the 21st Century" at SUNY Oneonta.

Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success.

These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta.

"For two weeks in August 2025, I attended the Tokyo Metropolitan University Global Discussion Camp on sustainability and biodiversity. I met students from across the globe, and with the help of a faculty advisor, we conducted a small research project on satoyama revival over the course of a week," said Hess, who is studying Geology and Geography.

"This research poster was presented at SUNY Oneonta's Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase.

"During the camp, I learned about satoyama and how these areas are decreasing due to urbanization. I visited Jike Furusato Village along with other students apart of the camp, and we took a hike exploring the forests, ponds, shrines and rice paddies in the area, taking notes on the ecosystem services we found. Together we interviewed a long-term foreign resident of the village who has learned the satoyama lifestyle from locals and has created a business that supports exploration of the area and Japanese traditions. With the help of our advisor, we presented a slideshow on our findings to the university president, the head of global education and others engaged in the camp.

"Before this project, I had never heard the word satoyama, and now I know it is much more than just a landscape, it's a lifestyle; the way humans connect with nature and benefit from one another. Attracting newcomers and supporting the promotion of satoyama is vital to stabilize and revive dying rural communities that face a threat of being urbanized. This project strengthened my communication skills and expanded my knowledge of ecosystems and sustainability. It has prepared me to interact and work with people whose first language isn't English, and to communicate the importance of sustainable living in the 21st century."

Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase.

SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events.

To view these students click here: https://oneonta.meritpages.com/achievements/Rudy-Hess-Completes-Experiential-Learning-Project-at-SUNY-Oneonta/198703