Texas Buckiserv Trip

During spring of 2016, I had the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic on a service trip. During every moment of that experience, I learned more about myself and the world around me than I thought possible. So as soon as I heard about buckiserv trips, I applied. I was selected as one of ten buckeyes who would all go to Dallas, Texas and work at North Texas Food Bank. Before departing, all participants met to discuss expectations, reminders, and to get pumped about the trips! Something that stood out in my mind was the voluntourism talk. Voluntourism – the idea of combining volunteering and tourism into one – is not inherently bad. It can become an issue when the focus is on creating an experience for the tourist instead of on aiding the community. Before going in, I mentally prepared to work alongside those in need. I would not walk in as some superior savior who had all the answers. I would be humble and I would serve.

Here we go – the 15-hour drive to Texas begins. But those hours pass quickly when you’re with people you enjoy. And the bonding time in that minivan is a time I’ll always treasure. After arriving all in one piece, we met our host family – an older couple, Mike and Pam. Both were sweethearts who took care of us like we were their children. Mike has been volunteering at North Texas Food Bank for nearly 20 years, so he attended with us during our service hours and showed us the ropes. He has a servant’s heart; he was so pleasant to be around and he’s someone I aspire to be like. We mainly worked to sort food items, but I also got to pack care boxes for the elderly. I was surprised by how many individuals were there just to give back; no one was forcing them to be there. I felt the energy and positivity in the air and it made me give even more of myself. When we weren’t at the foodbank, we served in a local food pantry. It was set up like a store, allowing people to walk around with a shopping cart and select their groceries. This preserved their dignity and made them feel like they weren’t just receiving a handout. I mainly assisted in the produce section and with bagging. I tried to make conversation with as many people as I could. I asked about their day, their families, their life. Most were so open and willing to share, and always with a smile despite their circumstances. At the end of the day, it’s about how much you have in your heart and not in your wallet. On our last day of service, there was a woman on a wheelchair with an overflow of groceries who clearly needed help. A trip leader and I offered to carry some bags and walk her to her apartment. The bags were heavy, it was hot, and I was tired. I didn’t have to volunteer to do that, but something in my heart nudged me. The lady endlessly thanked us and blessed us, and it just made my heart full. Cliché or not, giving feels so much better than getting. I’ll always have her face ingrained in my mind.

When we weren’t volunteering, we were spending time with each other. We made a late night run to an ice cream parlor. We went shopping at Wal-mart (and everyone knows that’s always an adventure). We went to museums, the observation deck, and the botanical gardens. We met up with OSU alumni. We went to Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk. We took goofy pictures. We rolled down hills and got grass stains. We smiled, and we laughed, and most importantly, ate a heck of a lot of BBQ. I’ll remember that week forever – the sights, the sounds, the smells, the people. I formed incredible relationships with everyone I came into contact with. I know I’m welcome at Mike and Pam’s house next time I’m in Texas. I know I can call up any of my team members for a good time or a life chat. I’ve been blessed by the entire experience and I guess I can say I like country music just a tad bit more.

Freshman Year Sum-up

I’ll admit, I read more than a few freshman survival guides before coming to college. Oh, but little did I know that it’s not about preparing – it’s about jumping in and never looking back – and I am so glad I’ve done just that. I thought that I’d have to arrive at college and have things figured out, but the beauty is in exploring everything and then seeing the pieces fit one by one to form your distinctive puzzle.

I don’t have to go to class. I can hit the snooze button every single time and nobody can stop me… except for my inner being which would go crazy if I became an irresponsible sloth. I have really come to enjoy my classes this year! Economics is a beautiful subject; it’s so practical and makes so much sense of our world. I’m also learning Spanish, which gives me the opportunity to reach millions and to dive into new and rich cultures. I’m taking a music class, too. It’s completely unrelated to my major and I absolutely love it. Vocal performance is my passion, and I’m glad I can pursue it at OSU. This year, I’ve fully stemmed away from the idea that studying is something you have to do. It’s not about checking it off the to-do list; it’s about an investment in my future and myself. But I also have become better about checking it off the to-do list. Procrastinating is an activity I find myself doing less and less.

This year, I managed to secure my first internship! I began interning with a startup called Penji around February. The company has created a peer to peer tutoring app and launched at OSU in 2016. As a campus executive, I have developed in various ways already. A startup is all-encompassing; I’ve learning marketing skills, finance, operations, data analytics, and more. In order for a startup to succeed, the team members must be driven, passionate, and individuals who don’t take no for an answer. I see myself currently growing into such a business person. This year, I have also realized my passion for women in business. I want to empower and be empowered, so joining UBWA (Undergraduate Business Women’s Association) was the right move. The organization has improved my confidence, networking skills, and industry understanding. I’ve met wonderful girls who inspire me whenever I see them. Through UBWA, I found an opportunity to attend the Forte College Women’s Business Leadership Conference. The conference brought together bright young women from across the US for a time of networking, insightful seminars, and a business simulation. I loved attending and hope to be present at other similar events in the future.

Despite all the work and study, I’ve managed to find time for fun and friends. As a mentor in the Fisher International Friends Program, I was paired with an international student to help her better understand OSU, English, and the American culture. As an International Business major, I knew it would also help me become more culturally affluent. I was paired with a Chinese girl named Yueqi, and she has become a dear friend. We’ve had many adventures together, such as going off campus for hot pot and bubble tea. I’ve met my closest friends in places least expected, which again proves that life is serendipitous. I fully embrace that idea and plan to make the most of the good and the bad. Cheers to another three years at OSU!

German Village

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As someone who has lived in Columbus for most of her life, I thought I knew a good deal about the city. Still curious about my college home for the next four years, I decided to go on the German Village tour sponsored by International Affairs Scholars. Before the tour started, our group was gathered and informed about the history and present-day happenings of German Village. The area was mainly settled during the mid 1800s by German immigrants, who eventually comprised a third of Columbus’ population. We watched a video of these immigrants making their way to Ohio and building a new life for themselves out of nothing. Instead of just surviving, they thrived. The schools the Germans built were so excellent that even the English-speakers decided to attend them. I am inspired by the dedication and toil of these early contributors to our city. I too hope to follow their example in persevering, creating, and keeping tradition alive. Throughout the tour, I was amazed at the simple beauty of the historic brick buildings. The members of the German Village Society have tirelessly worked to preserve and renew the character of the neighborhood. This made me wonder how I could contribute to preservation, especially of the environment. I’ve been working to become more environmentally friendly by carefully using water and energy, buying second hand, and finding ways to carpool as a commuter student! Because of the society’s efforts, which are all privately funded, German Village is considered one of the world’s top historic districts. As a business major, I was excited when we were told about all of the businesses in and around German Village. Everyone received a pin that can be used to receive either a free item or a discount at any of the multiple locations. As a big believer of supporting local business, I plan to visit many of the suggested companies and get to know beautiful Columbus better!

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

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Welcome everyone! Thank you for your interest in getting to know me more! My name is Sandra Aleksova, and I’m a dual citizen of the United States and Bulgaria. I arrived in the US as a little five-and-a-half-year-old with my older, immigrant parents. The transition was undoubtedly challenging; it was a new place with new people and a new culture. I was forced to grow up fast and learned to take care of my family. Essentially turning into the 3rd parent of the household, I realized being fully accountable and responsible became my second nature. When I started school, I carried those character traits into my student life. I have always been a perfectionist and a determined worker. If a job needs to get done, I will pour myself into its completion.

During my high school career at Worthington Christian High School, I learned more about who I am as an individual, both in and out of the classroom. After taking the Meyer-Briggs personality test, I discovered that I’m an ISFJ, or “The Defender.” The definition given is “ISFJs are true altruists, meeting kindness with kindness-in-excess and engaging the work and people they believe in with enthusiasm and generosity.” This explains my love of serving my community. During my summers throughout high school, I volunteered at a daycare as a teaching assistant. Watching the kids grow and learn always inspired me to never give up on the innocence and curiosity of childhood. I also volunteered as an ESL teaching assistant. When my parents first came to the US, they joined an ESL class; it has been wonderful to give back in a way that’s so close to my heart. Other than community service, vocal performance, student leadership, and national honor society contributed to an incredible high school experience. My teachers’ investment in me was the cherry on top. I was mentored by teachers that believed in me and cared about me as a person instead of just another student. At OSU, I want to make those connections and develop relationships with professors – in and even out of the classroom. As a learner who more so understands information when I can see its connection to the real world, my professors’ insights will be invaluable.

Coming into OSU, I am considering an international business major and a Spanish minor. In addition to international business, I’m considering logistics as second specialization, but that’s only if I do not pursue law school. My future plans are not set, but I’m confident that OSU will aid me in finding my way, even if it’s a path of beautiful twists and turns.

When I began my college search, OSU wasn’t even on my list, but I realize my attendance was meant to be. Already, I’ve met incredible people, attended thoughtful classes, and taken advantage of the many resources. During my time at this university, I want to develop into a more holistic person; I want to learn how to balance my life, my relationships, my academic/working career. Throughout these four years, I hope to jump out of my comfort zone. As someone who doesn’t love risk, I will take those risks. Finding a new passion is my goal. Perhaps that will occur through my scholars group – International Affairs Scholars. My primary reasons for joining the group include learning more about international job opportunities, Columbus’ diversity, and studying abroad. I can’t wait to experience everything IA has to offer alongside the other students in the group. Considering acceptance is key to success, I hope to find my place within IA and get to know its members better throughout the year. College is going to be a wild adventure, with ups and downs and everything in between, and I’m ready to take it all on.