1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three

sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

I volunteered at Grant Medical Center, where I supported patients and their families. My main responsibilities included helping with wayfinding around the hospital and spending time talking with patients and families to provide comfort and distraction from the stress of being in a hospital environment.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the

world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or

two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

Before this project, I did not fully understand the impact that being a volunteer could have on someone. I used to think volunteering in a hospital mainly meant doing small tasks like giving directions, answering quick questions, or running minor errands. Those responsibilities were part of my role, but over time I realized there was a much deeper layer to what I was doing. Patients and families often came to the hospital feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even scared, and I began to see that my presence could help ease that stress in ways I had not expected.

What stood out most to me was how much people appreciated moments of simple human connection. A short conversation while they were waiting, or the reassurance of walking with them through the hospital, often helped them feel more relaxed. Sometimes people told me directly that my help made their day easier, and other times I could just see it in how their mood shifted. These experiences changed my perspective on volunteering, showing me that it is not just about completing tasks but also about providing comfort, empathy, and a sense of support during challenging times.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature

Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those

affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences

completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

One of the most meaningful parts of my experience came from the conversations I had with patients and their families. Many of them were under stress or waiting for news, and I could see the effect that even a small interaction had on their mood. Taking the time to talk about ordinary things, listen to their stories, or simply keep them company often made them smile or express gratitude. These moments showed me that volunteering could provide comfort in ways that went far beyond logistics.

Doing simple, small tasks such as wayfinding, walking people to different departments, or answering their basic questions also became moments where I saw the importance of volunteering. Many patients and families started off looking overwhelmed or tense, but when I helped with these small things, they often calmed down and looked more at ease. What seemed like a minor task to me could ease their anxiety and make the hospital process less intimidating. Seeing those changes in people’s body language and attitude helped me realize the bigger impact of small acts of support.

Another important part of my growth came from reflecting on my service each day with my volunteer coordinator. At the end of shifts, we often talked about the people I had helped and how those interactions made a difference. These conversations helped me step back and see the larger impact of what I was doing, not just for individuals but for the hospital community as a whole. Actively discussing the meaning of my work gave me space to process what I was learning and helped me realize that volunteering was about both presence and contribution.

I also noticed how the staff valued the support of volunteers. Nurses, doctors, and other employees often thanked me for assisting families or guiding patients, because it allowed them to focus on their responsibilities. Recognizing that my role had ripple effects throughout the hospital system gave me a stronger sense of responsibility. It showed me that volunteers are not just “extra help,” but an important part of creating a supportive environment for both patients and staff.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or

two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your

academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

This change is significant to me because it connects directly to my goal of becoming a physician. As a pre-med student, I spend a lot of time focused on science, academics, and the technical side of medicine, but this experience reminded me that being a good doctor also means understanding the human side of patient care. By learning how much impact small acts of kindness and presence can have, I gained perspective on the type of physician I want to be—one who not only treats illnesses but also helps patients and families feel supported in stressful times.

On a personal level, this experience also helped me grow into the kind of person I want to become. I want to be someone who can make others feel at ease, even in difficult or overwhelming situations. Seeing how conversations, patience, and small actions could transform someone’s hospital experience showed me that these qualities matter just as much as clinical skills. Carrying this forward will shape how I approach my future career in medicine and how I interact with others in my daily life.

My STEP Signature Project was located at the Ohio Wildlife Center in Columbus, Ohio where I volunteered in their hospital. Some of my duties involved caring for many different species of wildlife animals, assisted in animal handling, and cleaning their facility.

This project really strengthened my current view of wildlife animals which is that they are deserving of care and help when they need it just as much as other animals such as companion animals as well as farm life. I have always had a passion for animals since I was very young. When I was little, my mom would find me outside watching the wild rabbits and squirrels run around the trees in the backyard. This project greatly increased passion for animals! 

As soon as I stepped foot into the volunteer orientation, I was greeted by a couple members of the Ohio Wildlife Centers staff, and they are some of the kindest people I have ever met. They were extremely helpful and seemed very excited about their jobs, which made me even more excited than I was to volunteer and at that moment I knew I was in the right place! These interactions affected me in the best way possible. 

On my first day, one of the vet techs at the Ohio Wildlife Center showed me around the facility and introduced me to the animals that were currently in their care. She then brought me over to these baby songbirds that were in their care. I had the opportunity to feed these baby songbirds, and it was an amazing experience. It is incredible how such tiny, fragile creatures can have so much spirit. Watching them open their beaks and hearing them chirp as I fed them made me grateful to be trusted with their care. 

As I mentioned previously, I have a major passion for animals and animal care. It is fascinating how these animals live and behave in their day-to-day lives. Being able to see and care for all of these different wildlife species made me even more eager to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and made me more certain of my goals! 

My dream is to attend veterinary school and to hopefully one day become a veterinarian. I am always looking for different ways and opportunites to expand my knowledge of the animal science and veterinary fields and I could not be more greatful of the knowledge I gained from working with their faculty. It is amazing to see people from so many different backgrounds share the same love for animals and to hear their unique experiences, which has only motivated me even more to follow this path!  

My project was a non-credit bearing service learning experience with the organization Child Family Health International (CFHI) based in Quito, Ecuador. For two weeks, I stayed with a host family, took Spanish classes, shadowed in local hospitals and healthcare clinics, and explored the city!

I learned that the value of visiting another country is dependent upon how willing and open-minded the traveler is going into the experience. I was picked up from UIO airport with only the clothes on my back, my OSU football hoodie, and whatever miscellaneous items I had packed in my backpack, and for the first 3 days of my trip, that was all I had! After chaotic flight rescheduling, speaking a second language (that I had very little experience with outside of the classroom setting), arriving in a country and a program where there were no other OSU students, the lost luggage was a recipe for disaster if I let it. But, I was just so excited to be on this adventure that I had been planning for (what seemed like) three years since I had arrived at OSU- I knew I wanted to go abroad. I had to problem solve, be very patient, and advocate for myself those first few days while the search for my baggage continued, but I remained in good spirits, nonetheless, knowing that a bad attitude could have totally shifted my perspective on the experience.

Immediately, I was reminded that attitude is everything. It controlled the first impressions I made on the friends I made within the program, how I was perceived by precepting doctors and healthcare professionals in the hospitals I shadowed, and in my homestay with the host family. I knew Spanish, but struggled to articulate everything I wanted to, but my smile, effort to try to speak the language, and positive attitude were noticed and received with warmth and respect. It was so important to be open-minded, ready to learn, unafraid of failure and embarrassment, and practice humility and gratitude. I was in a country with very different resources and culture than the United States, where I have lived my entire life, so essentially, every single day was a learning experience (besides using Spanish). Some people may have less- less material things- and they are just as happy, if not happier than people I’ve seen in the USA.

While abroad, I kept a handwritten daily journal/diary in an effort to document my experience for my future self, and just to reflect upon the incredible experiences that I was having every day.

I think my relationships with my host family and the friends that I made in my program had the greatest impact on my “transformation.”

I stayed with an Ecuadorian host family with “parents” that had adult children living in the US, and Ecuador. One of their grandchildren, under ten years old, also lived with us. Another student in the program, who was also completing his undergraduate degree at another university in the USA was my roommate in the homestay, as well. Our wonderful host “dad,” would make us typical Ecuadorian breakfast and dinner every day. I would try to guess the flavors and ingredients in the dishes, or just learn the names of the countless new fruits that we would get to try whole, or as juices. Having his grandchild around was so much fun, and I like to imagine that we were able to bond, even if I struggled to understand everything he said in Spanish, we still laughed and played a lot. Kids have a universal language, and I feel like they understand a lot more than we think. The Henao family showed me a kindness that I will never forget. They showed me how happiness and love and compassion, even if that wasn’t part of the homestay “description.” These kind of things transcend geographical, cultural, and economic differences, and are the actions and words that will stick with me for the rest of my life when I think about my experience in Quito.

Despite the frustration with my lost luggage in the beginning of my trip, I was able to lean on my host family, resources at the language school, and new friends! That first day, the four new kids learned how to take the metro and visited the historic district to taste test a variety of locally sourced and hand crafted desserts and sweets! We spent the whole day exploring and trying out our Spanish. I kept so busy, that I didn’t have time to dwell on the fact that I was missing practically everything I had packed.

These relationships were strengthened on our weekend trips to Cotopaxi where we accomplished some pretty athletic feats hiking up to base camp (you could feel the effects of the altitude!) and hiking at the crater lake, Quilotoa. We met so many other people- locals, tour guides, fellow travelers- who all had their own interesting stories and perspectives to share. Every day after our rotations at the hospital, we would sit down for lunch and share what we saw, comparisons to the healthcare system that we were familiar with, and other opinions.

I had an internship at Nationwide Children’s hospital (NCH) at the beginning of the summer here in Columbus that ended the day before I hopped on the plane to Quito. NCH is a world-class hospital for pediatric care, where I was lucky enough to shadow several doctors and observe in the operating room on various procedures during my time as an intern. I was excited to be able to compare that experience to the one that I was going to have in Quito, Ecuador, and as predicted, it was a very different world of healthcare. I was never in a hospital strictly for pediatrics when abroad, but I did observe several surgeries, and talked to many medical students/residents/interns. It was easy to compare and contrast the differences in resource management, funding, and general medical practices.

It was especially valuable to compare my own observations with those of the two current third-year medical students that were in my cohort. Having been through a decent amount of their own medical training in the USA, they were more aware of the “typical” practices taught in US medical schools, how health insurance worked, and how the specifics of schooling differed between countries. I had people more experienced than myself to learn from on both the Ecuadorian and American sides of healthcare.

This observational experience was perspective shifting. As a middle-class white female with parents who have had insurance coverage and access to quality healthcare throughout my life, my perspective on the medical system is very different from someone who might have moved to the USA, relies on public health insurance, and speaks English as a second language. If I want to enter the healthcare field as a physician assistant and truly help people, I cannot expect everyone to have the same experience as I did growing up.I wanted to develop my Spanish speaking skills, so that I could use it in the future in the healthcare setting, where things can get unnecessarily biased and complicated simply because of a language barrier.  Having a global perspective on many things is critical to being a more understanding and open-minded person, and I believe it is invaluable as well for the healthcare field.

For my STEP Signature Project, I volunteered at Camp Quality Ohio. This is a week-long summer camp that serves children affected by cancer. This includes children actively fighting cancer, survivors, and their siblings. While the whole cabin worked collaboratively, I was assigned to one camper and took full responsibility for her daily care, safety, and participation throughout the week. I made sure that she was supervised at all points throughout the day and coordinated with other volunteers to make sure their campers were always accounted for.

Before camp, I assumed most kids there would be patients themselves. But the camper I was paired with, Ella, was a sibling who’s brother had passed away from cancer. I had done all of the assigned training modules on how to help take care of a child who was sick, but nothing on one who was grieving. It changed my perspective on what care should look like, especially in the healthcare field. This experience taught me that while medicine itself is important, people really need the type of connection and support that a place like this offers. It was never about distracting the kids and entertaining them, but about forming a support system for them and showing them that they’re not alone. I also learned very quickly that just by showing up and putting in your best effort, you’re making a huge difference in the lives of others even if you don’t realize it or think about it.

I first drove to camp without knowing what to expect, thinking that I’d only really make a small difference in Ella’s life. Camp Quality proved me wrong completely. The event that supported this was on the last day, where counselors sat in a circle with their eyes closed and campers would tap the shoulder of volunteers who made their week at camp better. It was hard to keep track but I got upwards of 60 taps! It was a really heartwarming moment for everybody but truly made me realize how many people we can reach without ever realizing and how important that impact can feel.

I had a child in my cabin, Carlie, who was actively fighting cancer. This camp keeps fantastic track of medications that each camper requires and we would bring her to the nurse’s office each morning and night to receive her dose. In between each visit, she would go down the water slide, decorate cookies, play on the swings with the other girls. Nobody ever asked her where she was going and each understood when she ran out of energy and needed a break. The support that she received from the kids around her made it so she could feel like a kid again. It’s this type of silent support that I think is so valuable in this camp. She understood that she wasn’t alone and that she didn’t have to explain herself here.

There was one extremely meaningful moment at the end of camp, where everybody stood in a circle and “Lean on Me” played. We all swayed back and forth, leaning on each other as the lyrics suggested. It was a moment where everybody understood that each person in the circle was there for them and that we also have an obligation to others to help when we’re able to.

This experience was significant to my life in multiple ways. First, I do plan to enter into healthcare. It’s important for me to be able to understand things holistically and be able to see that yes, medicine is important, but also that support and connection are invaluable. Each experience throughout the week showed me how important it was for these kids to know they weren’t alone.

It was also significant personally in two ways. I learned valuable lessons about showing up for others and how important each individual is in the grand scheme of things. I also do want to start a family in the future, and I think I learned a lot about the responsibility of being assigned a child to take care of and how hectic the process can be. But also how to come out on top.

Camp Quality didn’t teach me a grand life lesson all at once. It taught me small lessons, day by day. I learned how much showing up matters, even when you don’t feel like you’re doing anything special. I got a crash course in being responsible for someone else, and I saw how far small acts of care can go. It made me think more seriously about the kind of provider I want to be: someone who sees the bigger picture, not just the symptoms. And maybe down the line, the kind of parent I want to be too.

Ella and I on prom night!

Arts and Crafts with our cabin!

Me applying leopard tattoos for the “jungle” theme.

Cabin photo!

   My STEP signature project for the summer of 2025 was through Child Family Healthcare International. My project entailed of shadowing various healthcare workers in Accra, Ghana. They could range from medical doctors to physician assistants, or nurses. I would shadow these healthcare workers in hospitals such as Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital and Jamestown Maternity Hospital. With Child Family Healthcare International I would learn about the healthcare, history, and culture of Ghana.

    My understanding of myself, my assumptions, and views of the world greatly changed when I started my signature project. My understanding of self-began to change during my first day in the program. Certain luxuries that I was used to back home in the States was not readily available here in Ghana. Such as hot running water, or toilets that properly flush. A lot of the roads are not readily developed so traveling from my hostel to the hospital or different parts of the city would hurt my body. Then not having the same options for food, or my mother making me dinner. These new challenges made me reflect on what I had in the US, and not having those, most importantly my friend and family made me feel alone in the beginning. It made it difficult to adjust during my first week there. Making me reflect on the privilege I had and reflect on that privilege and lack there of now on my own without the people from home. I realized how comfortable I was at home, how sheltered I was to the differences in others lives around the world. I thought I would understand what it was like to live in another country, but until I got to Ghana I never truly new.

Undertaking this experience allowed me to expand my world views while reflecting on my life back home with my life here. Seeing the differences in the way that I live and how I try to overcome, adjust, and be grateful for my time here in another country. I learned how to make my own hot water to shower, how to fix plumbing issues, when food options were not like home I found the nearest grocery store and began to cook for myself. I was also able to make friends and try new things to learn more about the country’s history, culture and way of life, to enjoy my time while I was hore. Shadowing and learning about the healthcare system and shadowing the doctors helped me learn about the many faucets of healthcare and the challenges this country faced and how they overcome. I also tried pottery classes, new food places, museums, markets, and gardens too. This trip made me realize how comfortable I was at home in the States and this new experience got me out of my comfort zone and made me truly try new things and reevaluate myself and how I viewed the world today.

    Events, interactions, relationships and activities that transformed me during this time in Ghana for my STEP signature trip was shadowing the doctors in the hospitals, living in the hostel with other participants and making friends, traveling around town doing new activities and trying new foods, and lastly visiting Cape Coast and learning more about the history of Ghana.

Shadowing the healthcare workers at Princess Marie Louise Hospital and Jamestown Maternity greatly contributed to my transformation of self here during this trip. Not only learning about new cases that come in through the hospital that is not readily seen in the States like scabies infections, learning about malaria and yellow fever. Things that are not prevalent in the States. Also learning about the many challenges this country faces with the lack of resources. So, hospital rooms are a luxury for few who can afford the extra fees. Most people stay in large rooms that have 20 bods in them. All sharing the same space. With some hospitals only having 1-2 doctors attending them. Not having the same privacy people in the States use in terms of HIPPA. Certain drugs or procedures cannot be done at most district level hospitals, so everyone is referred to one regional hospital that tends to become overfilled and hard to accommodate everyone in the greater Accra region. Watching these healthcare workers overcome though and still give quality, compassionate care really affected me and the way I view healthcare overall. Realizing resources doesn’t make a good doctor, but the will to help others, helping them become whole and well does.

During my trip I was also able to build relationships that changed me as well, I met others from different parts of the states such as Oregon, New Jersey, and North Carolina. I learned about their culture whether it was Italian, Nigerian, and Indian and how they are adjusting from living in the states to their time here. We all felt that sense of homesickness and were able to relate and build relationships from it. We would all go out together to have fun. Going to the markets to buy souvenirs for family Go to pottery classes to make something new. Trying new foods that everyone loves. Then visiting museums to learn about Ghana and how their history has shaped the country to what it is today. These relationships changed me because they gave me a different perspective on the world outside of Ohio State University, the different cultures and experiences and allowed me to better my relationship building skills and better put myself out there with people and become more vulnerable.

Lastly, vising Cape Coast a city within Ghana also transformed me. I was able to visit the Kakum National Park and walk across canopies overlooking the countries’ beautiful natural terrain. New trees that I have never seen in the US. Four different types of snakes I have never seen in person. The way the forest was formed based on the whether of Ghana. It being a rainforest would constantly rain in the area which I never experienced before since it was my first time in the rainforest. But I greatly appreciated it because it allowed me to experience something new. Also, during my time in Cape Coast I was able to visit Elmina Castle. This is the largest slave castle in West Africa. The history of this castle is important to me as an African American because it is apart of my history in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. But experiencing the castle firsthand put it better into perspective what my ancestors went through during their time as slaves. Where they lived, how they were treated and knowing how they were able to prevail it all gave me a greater sense of pride never before. I will truly never understand their lives but being able to be in the same space that they had allowed me to be as close as I could to them and their experiences and something that transformed me forever. 

    Being able to experience how healthcare runs in a country where resources are low was a very important change to my views on healthcare and my experience of such. This change is something that I was put at the forefront of my professional career. As someone that wants to work in an urban healthcare setting where resources might also be low. Watching how the doctors worked here in Ghana put into perspective that helping the patient even without having everything at your disposal is possible and you can still give the best care you possibly can as well.

When it comes to these changes to my sense of self in my personal goals, it believe this trip helped me become a more well-rounded person. Someone who can better understand others struggles to triumph. Experiencing life as someone who doesn’t live in the states. The difference in culture and community is profound. Seeing how the culture in this country is so connected with their way of life. How that same connection makes it seem that everyone, even if a stranger can understand each other in a sort of way that is not seen in the States. I believe experiencing this helped with my professional goals of becoming more empathetic and building a greater sense of self too.

For my STEP Signature Project, I volunteered for approximately 100 hours at CAMP PALS, an inclusive summer camp for individuals with Down syndrome held in New York. As a Peer, I was paired one-on-one with a Partner who has Down syndrome, and we participated in structured activities such as PALS Olympics, Karaoke, and off-site activities such as the Bronx Zoo. Alongside several other pairs and under the guidance of trained leaders, we formed close-knit teams that promoted inclusion, friendship, and personal growth for everyone at camp. 

Volunteering at CAMP PALS fundamentally transformed how I understand Down syndrome, the importance of inclusion, and the power of authentic relationships. Before this experience, I believed I had a strong grasp on what it meant to advocate for individuals with disabilities. However, I came to realize that inclusion is not just about accessibility or support, but it’s about truly seeing, valuing, and celebrating people for who they are, beyond labels or diagnoses. 

I learned that my assumptions, even the well-intentioned ones, were sometimes rooted in unconscious bias. I saw how often society limits individuals with disabilities, rather than embracing their strengths. My Partner constantly surprised me with his creativity, compassion, and sense of humor, and I began to understand inclusion as something that touches everyone involved, not just those being included. 

The most transformative aspect of this experience was the relationship I formed with my Partner. From the moment we met, I felt both the weight of responsibility and the excitement of building a new friendship. Throughout the week, we navigated challenges together, including communicating effectively, adjusting to busy schedules, and managing emotions in new environments. It wasn’t always easy, but each moment was deeply rewarding. I found that by listening closely and adapting to his needs, I was also learning to be more patient, empathetic, and present in every interaction. 

One evening, during the infamous karaoke night, my Partner stood up in front of a room full of people and sang with joy and confidence. I could see how much it meant to him to celebrate who he was. That moment made me reflect on how rare it can be for people with disabilities to have spaces that celebrate them so openly, and how important it is for me to help create those spaces. 

Our team dynamic also played a major role in shaping my perspective. We spent a lot of time supporting one another, debriefing at the end of each day, and sharing stories about our Partners. These conversations revealed just how powerful and universal this experience was for everyone involved. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we all walked away with a deeper appreciation for the dignity, potential, and individuality of the people we were paired with. 

This transformation is deeply significant to me both personally and professionally. As someone pursuing a career in healthcare, I now understand that true advocacy means building relationships, listening deeply, and challenging the systems and assumptions that exclude or devalue people. My experience at CAMP PALS taught me that inclusion requires intentional effort, and it transforms everyone it touches. 

Through this experience, I feel more confident in my ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Professionally, I am more motivated to be a physician who listens, includes, and advocates not just in clinical care, but in shaping the culture of medicine, because I have seen firsthand the impact of inclusion. CAMP PALS gave me a model of what a truly inclusive community looks like, and I will carry that vision with me as I move forward in my academic and healthcare journey. 

Field Trip to Brooklyn Botanical Garden!

Camp PALS at Pier 2 in Brooklyn!

Field trip to Bronx Zoo!

My STEP project was a service learning trip through GIVE volunteers in Hawaii. Throughout my trip I volunteered at many different nonprofits and farms in Hawaii for many hours everyday. These nonprofits are focused around raising awareness about old agricultural practices in Hawaiian culture and preserving these sacred lands. We helped clear land by pulling weeds and moving rocks, planted new life, cleaned out findponds, and assisted in coastline cleanup. While helping their local communities we also immersed ourselves in their culture by supporting local farmers markets, exploring undeveloped coastlines, making farm to table dinners, learning their language, and listening to stories from these native families.

The purpose of this trip was to immerse myself in a new cultural experience and deepen my understanding of the importance of responsible land treatment and respectful tourism. Unlike most trips to hawaii, I was not exposed to the commercialized areas of hawaii that have highly appropriated aspects of hawaiian culture. Instead, I got to see life from the perspective of true Hawaiian natives, learning all about their daily struggles with tourism, climate change, and complexities of land ownership. 

These incorrect portrayals of hawaii that visitors expect are hurting hawaiian natives, as it’s exploiting all these special, intimate practices they have for money. Most tourism does not bring money to the local people in these areas, as the hotels and resorts are owned by bigger companies back in the states. I began to understand how tourism is instead destroying these sacred lands they want to persevere for food growth. This trip also showed me how strong of a connection Hawaiians have with the spirit of the land and nature on it. It has strengthened my relationship with nature, showing me how all my actions impact the land around me.

Most assumptions people have about Hawaii were instantly broken when I saw and interacted with the raw, undeveloped side of the land. I was transformed from voluntarily putting in my time to help a bigger cause, like growing food for a community I am not native to. This experience of being allowed on sacred land and hearing stories from these local people is forever invaluable.

One particular volunteer opportunity led me to have many eye opening moments. We sat on a farm and listened to a native Hawaiian tell their side of the story. He talked about how capitalism and overconsumption has overtaken the value of the simple things in life. Along with walking us through phases of Hawaiian history, he educated us on food security. The island used to be 100% dependable on what they grew for food, but unfortunately now 90% dependable on shipments that come in. This is due to the overgrowth of tourism taking land that was once used to grow food. His mission is to feed his community and future people, even though he might not see the immediate impacts of his actions. 

I got to build relationships with each non profit we visited, learning new insights on agricultural practices and other traditional ways of living. I also go to have conversations with native people who have lived there for their whole life, allowing me to better understand their outside view of the world. These relationships helped me gain a new perspective of the world, opening my eyes to a new kind of life. I got to see how living carefree, in an outside environment, where money isn’t the sole motivation, can change your life. Each new non profit exposed me to different Hawaiian backgrounds and historical sites. This showed me how simplistic life can be, as we don’t take enough time to appreciate the value and beauty of nature. Learning how our impact can either negatively or positively change the environment is a value skill that I will carry into every aspect of my life. We have the power to make small changes that can leave big impacts. 

This experience has led me to becoming a more well rounded person and global citizen. Being a global citizen means understanding your role in a larger world and appreciating the different cultures and backgrounds that make up that world. This trip has impacted who l am as a person and how I see the world. I have a deeper understanding of how my little actions can have global impact. I have gained awareness for new issues and environmental challenges, opening my eyes to new opportunities to make a bigger difference. Helping these communities has been life changing, so continuing to share with others how they can help nonprofits around them leads to small but powerful changes in the world. 

In my future I want to inspire others to become more conscious travelers and inspire them with ways to get involved with international communities. I want to spread my knowledge about sustainability and how our little changes can make huge impacts. It is important to help others understand the negative effects of tourism and how traveling can be used in a positive light.

As a designer, this experience has provided me with the ability to empathize and connect with different cultures. This allows me to produce more inclusive designs that can communicate to a wider audience.

For my STEP Signature Project, I went on a service-learning trip to Quito, Ecuador, through Child Family Health International. During my two weeks abroad, I shadowed healthcare professionals on clinical rotations  in a variety of settings, took medical and conversational Spanish classes, and spent time living with my host family. 

While completing my project, I developed better communication skills and a deeper sense of patience, both for myself and for others. By immersing myself in a new culture and healthcare environment, I began to truly understand what cultural competence looks like in real-world situations. Additionally, I gained a new level of independence and adaptability in daily life in a foreign country. The experience also reshaped my views on healthcare, and revealed to me how professionals manage to deliver quality care in a variety of settings and with differing amounts of resources. Ultimately, I realized how essential compassion and patient-centered approaches are in forming rewarding experiences for both patient and health provider. 

One of the most transformative events of my project was the clinical shadowing in three different healthcare settings. Although I was aware that Ecuador offers universal healthcare, I was shocked to see the drastic difference in patient volume between private and public hospitals due to high costs. In the public hospital, the building was loud and packed, the patient wait times were long, and the doctor would see back to back patients. In contrast, the private hospital was much more calm, and the doctor had more downtime, seeing about 10 patients a day on average. I was also able to visit some traditional medicine locations, which showed me how prevalent natural and holistic healthcare is in different parts of the world. Now, I have a greater appreciation and understanding of how culture significantly shapes the healthcare decisions of many. I also noticed that the patients’ demeanors varied widely among the three settings, and I realized that the amount of communication and attention given by the doctors significantly influences patient satisfaction.

Attempting to apply what I had learned from my daily Spanish classes out in the real world was unlike any experience I have had before and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. I have most of my life primarily surrounded by English, but being in the opposite position was a very humbling and eye opening experience. I developed a deeper sense of empathy and patience by realizing that everyone has different learning abilities and comes from different backgrounds, and you never know how hard someone might be trying to accomplish seemingly simple tasks. 

Spending time with my host family and in the community showed me authentic Ecuadorian customs and values. I became more curious about trying new things and conversing about health, politics, and cultural differences, which I am not typically used to. It also made me more adaptable by teaching me to adjust to unfamiliar situations and different societal norms. Additionally, going through this experience independently instilled more confidence in me that I could solve problems and execute plans that I had organized on my own. 

This experience provided me with the opportunity to immerse myself in a range of health services, and taught me skills and lessons to help me become a competent, worldly healthcare provider. After undergrad, I hope to attend PA school in the future, and this experience allowed me to observe health professionals in their natural environment. It made me think about how I would aim to improve patient satisfaction and create meaningful interactions. Additionally, this program showed me how critical it is for providers to have cultural sensitivity and always have an open mind to integrating their patient’s preferences and traditions when possible. 

Additionally, by further developing my patience, I realized how critical it is to not rush through patients. Taking the time to build patient rapport is essential for addressing their concerns, building trust, and providing them with the most effective care. This transformation is valuable to my personal and professional growth, as I aim to become a healthcare provider who not only delivers quality care but also respects and values each patient’s unique background and needs.

1. My STEP Signature Project involved a two-week medical shadowing experience through Child Family Health International (CFHI) in Quito, Ecuador. Over the span of these two weeks, I traveled to two different hospitals, both private and public, and shadowed local physicians, observed patient care, and learned about the health care system in an international setting. I was also able to immerse myself in the Ecuadorian culture and gain new experiences through my time here.
2. Before my STEP Signature Project, I had always assumed that healthcare systems in low- or middle-income countries would be broken and look much different than the United States healthcare system. However, the Ecuador health care system is ranked higher than the United States regarding efficiency. While shadowing in the public hospital here, which was much busier than the private hospital, I was able to see this efficiency firsthand. The doctor I was with was a gynecologist and would hold 30-minute appointments for each patient. When one appointment was finished, he would immediately call in the next patient, cutting down the wait time for them and working more efficiently. The providers were resourceful and hard working. This transformed my view of healthcare disparities and made me view them in a different light of cultural differences and systemic structure.

I believe that from this experience I became much more adaptable and open-minded. Throughout this trip, I was completely immersed in a different culture with a different language. Navigating these language barriers, different medical practices, and unfamiliar cultural norms pushed me out of my comfort zone. This helped me to gain confidence even in uncomfortable environments. This experience in Quito truly allowed me to have empathy and appreciation for another culture.

3. One major interaction that stuck with me was an interaction between a pregnant patient and the gynecologist I was shadowing at the public hospital. Despite the high volume of patients, the provider had that day, he still made sure to give her his full attention. She was getting an ultrasound to make sure the baby was healthy, and she was noticeably nervous. He made her feel comfortable and reassured her that everything was okay. This challenged my assumptions about the health care systems in other countries and the quality of them.

Another transformational experience was a visit to the Otavalo village about an hour outside of Quito. We got learn about indigenous healing practices and see them performed first-hand on a couple of patients. This was truly eye-opening because I had no idea these practices were still around today. The patients were all very satisfied with their experiences and visit the clinic often. Hearing from patients who rely on both traditional and Western medicine expanded my appreciation for culturally competent care.

Additionally, my homestay and host mom played a major role in helping me become more adaptable. My host mom helped me to understand cultural norms in Ecuador and immersed me into their way of living. This personal relationship helped to guide me through this new and challenging context as I learned so much from her. Living here shifted my perspective on this culture and helped me to feel invited in.

Lastly, the language barrier was probably the most difficult challenge throughout this project. I went to Ecuador with minimal knowledge on the Spanish language, so communicating was quite difficult at times. Navigating this in clinical and social settings taught me the value of simply being able to communicate with others. This made me aware of how intimidating the healthcare system is for those who do not speak the native language. I now will be much more empathetic for those who must endure this struggle.

4. This experience is valuable for my academic and professional goals because it helped me to better understand healthcare through a global lens. In my future career, I hope to become a Physician’s Assistant. This job requires hands-on care for patients just like the providers I shadowed. I would like to help improve health disparities in the work that I do and promote equity. This experience showed me the importance of quality hands-on care and designing systems that are adaptable across many different settings.

Personally, this experience made me much more adaptable to unfamiliar environments, which is something I will have to consistently deal with in my future career. I was also able to gain confidence that I am on the right track for pursuing a career that aligns with my interests. I am more motivated to go into this field and make a meaningful impact after shadowing these providers.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

For my STEP Signature project, I traveled with Buck-I-Serv to Kansas City, Missouri to serve Operation Breakthrough. Operation Breakthrough is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide a safe, loving, and educational environment for children and families living in poverty in the Kansas City area. Families are provided with early childhood education programs, after-school care, meals, health assistance, and more. Each child and family is met where their needs are and cared for on a case-by-case basis. Activities during the week included assisting in classrooms during the day and completing organizational tasks during the afternoon. The group also volunteered with a racing event on the first day of service.  

My experience with this trip was far from expected and not in the way one might assume. Due to some personal struggles, I made the unfortunate decision to leave the trip early and not complete the original service as intended. This situation left me in a very vulnerable state that I did not intend to experience. However, this part of my experience has transformed me for the better. I learned a lot about independence, how to reach out for help when it seems impossible to do so, and how to prioritize my needs while simultaneously putting the well-being of others first. Prior to this trip I never would have understood just how much I still needed to grow in these areas and having experienced what I did, I now know what more I can do better.  

One example of this was transportation to and from Kansas City. Prior to this trip I had never flown on an airplane, let alone navigate an airport alone. This trip allowed me to experience both of these for the first time. Due to my early departure, I had to learn how to book flight tickets, navigate an airport to get to both of my flights on time, and go through airport security on my own. The feeling of success that I experienced when I accomplished each of these tasks is something that I will never forget and has led me to seek out more experiences to repeat this feeling. I have found recently that I am more open to doing things alone and trying new experiences independently that I would not have otherwise sought out. This growth from even my first two years at Ohio State is quite shocking to see. 

I have always been a reserved person, and I try not to let others know if I am struggling or need help because I do not want to place a burden on others. However, during this trip I confronted this personal struggle and have been able to work on it more independently. As hard as I tried to keep quiet about my struggles, I ultimately confided in my trip advisor about them and was able to form a plan to solve what I was experiencing. This sort of thing is something so far from what I would normally do, but this experience has also led me to try and practice it more in my everyday life. Rather than seek to solve everything on my own, I am trying to consistently ask for help from others even if it scares me at first. I even got to try this out at the airport on my way home by asking a stranger a question about security.  

The final transformative experience that this trip provided was teaching me how to balance myself with others’ needs and prioritize all individuals. When it first seemed that I would be leaving the trip early, I worried a lot about affecting the other members of the group or even the service site. I worried that my absence would affect the work the rest of the team could do or if I did remain that I would not be fully present and able to serve in the way I wanted to. I did not want to let people down and ruin an experience for anyone, even if it came at my expense. It took a lot for me to understand that my well-being needed to be prioritized in this situation, something I do not normally do but want to work on. A lot of conversations were had where I was able to recognize that I am able to prioritize the needs of both myself and those around me without having one give. Following this trip, I am working more on these types of situations and learning to put myself first at times while also seeking the best for others.  

This trip has had a profound impact on not only my present experience, but also my future development. The skills I learned during my short time on this trip are ones that I will continue to use as I grow as a person but also as an educator. A year from now I will be a graduate of this university and a licensed 7-12th grade social studies teacher, and I want my students to understand all the things I learned during my STEP signature project. If I can teach my students how to be independent while also how to reach out for help on top of all the content, then I will consider it a job well done. I want my students to know it is understandable for plans not to go the way they were intended, but that it does not mean transformation cannot take place, something I would not have learned without this project.