Service Project: Habitat for Humanity

In December of 2016, I joined 50 other Ohio State students on a BUCK-I-SERV trip to Birmingham, Alabama. We volunteered with the area’s Habitat for Humanity who works with numerous families to build affordable housing for those in need. This was my first time on a BUCK-I-SERV trip, as well as Habitat for Humanity. This volunteering experience was very rewarding in many ways. I was able to see a part of the country that desperately needed affordable housing due to the impoverished and deserted area. In the process, I met the families that would be living in the houses. These families had various requirements that they needed to complete before owning one of the houses including: 240+ service hours working on their own home as well as completing a financial literacy course with Habitat for Humanity. These aspects were eye-opening because I didn’t know all the work the families complete before owning one of the homes. Our 50-person group was further split into three groups, and we rotated during the week to volunteer at five different houses. During the 40 hours on site, I painted the interior and exterior of the houses, laid landscape, as well as various as needed tasks such as caulking the exterior surfaces of the homes. I had the chance to see each of the houses at different times of building. Some of the houses had previously lived in, and others had been started from scratch. On the final day of our trip, we completed a house and the family got to move in the next day. Doing this service is necessary, and I plan on going on many other trips in the future.

Year in Review

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I never thought I would end up at the Ohio State University. I always had this preconceived notion that a big school just wasn’t for me. It wasn’t until I first visited because my mom thought it would be a good idea that I realized how much this campus has to offer. From the first tour, I had felt the school spirit from everyone around me. Every student that spoke had such diverse backgrounds and experiences at the school and I could picture myself in their position. Once I had attended the Health Science Scholars meeting, I knew this program was for me. I knew it would help me with the people I needed to network with and the volunteer experience that is essential for growth.

The first semester was a hard transition from high school. Classes were harder and the time to learn the material was shorter. I had to develop my own study habits that worked for me. I also had to plan out my time so that I was getting the most out of every moment. I had signed up for too many clubs and was overwhelmed. However, I had found myself spending more time in places that were most important to me. I have been an active member in Future Buckeye Physician Assistants, Buckeyethon, and ARCC for the Red Cross.

My most memorable volunteer experience was on Columbus Service Day where I was assigned to Cozy Cat Cottage. This is an adoption home for cats and kittens. I’m a cat person, so when I received this assignment I was thrilled. Our duties included cleaning the shelter, packaging litter boxes for cats that would need to travel to the vet, as well as loving on the cats. It was such an interesting experience because I have never been in a place that has had as many cats. I didn’t understand how big of a problem reproduction of cats was until I volunteered at a place where most kittens were dropped. I think the public needs to become more aware of this problem because it goes unnoticed.

Overall, my year has flown by. I am so grateful for all of the experiences I have already had in such a short amount of time. The Health Science Scholars has allowed me the opportunity to volunteer in places I never would have thought about. I can’t wait to keep exploring and find meaningful experiences.

Do.

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Through the Health Science Scholars program, I had recently had an opportunity to go to the Columbus Zoo. When this opportunity arose, I was quick to be a part of it. I’m from Cincinnati, and we have the Cincinnati Zoo that I have visited since I was a kid. I had heard great things from the Columbus Zoo as well and wanted to check it out.

Along with the trip, each of the members of the program received a specialized tour. I picked Manatee Coast because I have always been fascinated by the creatures and wanted to know more about the way they lived.

The tour was so much more than I expected. We broke into two groups of about 10 people and headed through the backside of the viewing tank of the manatees. We got to see the 160,000 gallon tank, the filtration system, and the behind the scenes process of feeding the animals. On site was an animal helper who talked about the different species of animals living in the habitat. He also showed us how to feed a stingray. I was so nervous, but I learned the technique of lifting a stingray’s flap to the mouth to feed it a fish.

We learned that the manatees that were usually shown in the exhibit were there for rehabilitation from some kind of accident-most of the animals in the zoo are there for the same reason. Overall, the experience was one of a kind, and I am so glad that I not only got to go to the zoo but also got to be a part of the behind the scenes feeding of the animals.

Go.

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My parents had come to visit one weekend and insisted on going on an adventure. We decided to check out German Village because of all of the great restaurants and the famous bookstore called The Book Loft. I brought my Canon Rebel camera to get some pictures of the scenery to document.

We stopped into The Book Loft, and I can only recall it as overwhelming. The store is like a doll house with each room covered in every kind of book you could imagine. The coolest part is that each room is dedicated to a certain theme of books. For example one room only had cookbooks and recipes. We had a great time adventuring around the store and when our time had come to leave I spotted a beautiful golden retriever whose owner allowed me to photograph. We walked around German Village a little more until we ran into a park that was filled with dogs and their owners. This opportunity allowed me to practice my photography skills as well as meet the owners of the dogs.

I ended up with some fantastic images and some that I even used for my photography class. Seeing the dog park and having that opportunity was so unexpected and came from a simple walk with my parents. I loved photographing the dogs so much that the next day turned into another dog photo-shoot with some dogs on the Ohio State oval. I think I had found my passion of photography from that experience.

Eat.

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Food has always been important to me. Since I have been at college, I have been able to expand my pallet for different decisions when it comes to each new meal. This also creates a problem for college students including myself to make sure that I make healthy decisions so that I avoid the dreaded “Freshman 15.”

Over spring break, my mom and I traveled to St. Petersburg Florida. While on an adventure one day we decided to stop for food and found a quiet place called Karma. Their restaurant focused on healthy organic food. I decided to get a smoothie bowl with acai and it was DELICIOUS. I had always been skeptical about food trends but I think this was a good one.

Once I returned back to Columbus, I was eager to find a place that was just as good as the one we found on spring break. After searching around on Yelp, I found a place called Alchemy which is only about 10 minutes from campus that had smoothie bowls. I went with one of my friends and got the “Purple Coconut” and a piece of avocado toast. It was filling, and I felt healthy and satisfied afterwards. I would go there everyday if my bank account allowed me.

About Me

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I am a first year undergrad student from Cincinnati, OH. I came to the Ohio State University in as an Exploration Major knowing that I wanted to have a future in the health care field, but not knowing the pathway that would be right for me. I chose to be in the Health Science Scholars because I knew it would help me find my right fit in the health care field, as well as allow me to find like-minded people in our living community. I have had amazing opportunities such as: traveling to the zoo, and volunteering alongside many of the people I have met in this Scholar’s Program.

I found the Bachelor of Science in the Health Science Major with a Psychology and Biology Minor that allows me to have flexibility for my coursework and also allowing me to complete my prerequisites for graduate school. Currently I am on a Pre-Physician Assistant pathway.

Outside of the classroom, I am involved in Buckeyethon, ARCC for Red Cross, and Future Buckeye Physicians Club. I am an avid traveler and I love to try any new foods. I had the amazing experience through my high school to go to Europe and experience a new culture. From this, I now hope to travel to every continent and study abroad during my time at the Ohio State University.