The G.O.A.L.S. of the Honors and Scholars programs represent the five qualities that an honors or scholars student should strive to possess. They are all very different from each other, but together, they embody all areas of a strong student appropriately. It is imperative as an honors or scholars student that we consider all of the aspects of G.O.A.L.S. and try to include all of them in our academic and extra-curricular lives. I have found that global awareness and service engagement are most applicable to me, especially with my possible future career choices.

Global Awareness is described as developing an appreciation for diversity and the unique differences in others and there are many ways to include this in our lives as students. Some examples include taking a cultural course or language course, studying abroad, and getting involved in a cultural activity or club. I have found that it is extremely easy at Ohio State to fulfill this global awareness void as a student. There are so many opportunities to get involved on this campus and so many different courses offered over a wide range of languages and cultures. I began taking a language here at Ohio State my first semester as a first year. I enjoyed the class greatly and my professor encouraged me to study abroad since I have such a passion for cultural diversity and linguistics. I decided to apply for a May session study abroad in Mexico and I was accepted into the program. I am very excited to go abroad and experience the cultural differences and societal standards first-hand. I decided to attend Ohio State because of the large amount of diversity that exists on and off campus and I have not been disappointed. This school is so diverse in every way possible and the city of Columbus also consistently offers new experiences. I plan on doing everything I can to experience as much diversity as possible throughout my four years here.

Service Engagement is also important to me as a student and member of this community. I recognize the need for community service and I fully support doing everything in our power to make a difference in the lives of others. I believe service engagement is a two way road, it positively affects the volunteer and the beneficiary. I have been involved in service organizations for many years and I enjoy every minute of it. It is an amazing feeling to know you successfully left an impact on someone’s life. I have been fortunate enough to have those experiences when volunteering. Whether at the hospital or a local school, people notice when you try to leave a positive effect on a community. Through my scholars program, I am able to volunteer at a local grade school and work with the children in math and science. This is a great service opportunity because it allows the students to consistently work with me and become comfortable with me. I notice them starting to open up and talk to me as a mentor which is a great thing to experience.

Both global awareness and service engagement are going to be incorporated heavily in my future career. I ultimately wish to get my medical degree and travel abroad with Doctors Without Borders. This career path involves global awareness in the sense that I will be traveling across the world, experiencing different cultures, appreciating all of the diversity across the world. I will also be involved in service organizations and providing medical care to people who cannot afford it. This ties in nicely with Doctors without Borders because their goal is to service areas of the world that do not have access to healthcare.