The summer after my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to travel to France.  After taking three years of French class, I was elated to try out my language skills.  My trip was a little more unique, though, than a typical school trip.  I actually stayed with a French family in Lyon, and then met back with my classmates a week later in Paris.  At first, I was scared out of my mind.  However, once I got there, I never wanted to leave again.  This picture, now hanging on my dorm room wall, brings back such fond memories.  My host-sister, Ema, who is pictured with me, still remains one of my best friends and inspired my love for French.  She and the Cohen family taught me so much in such a small amount of time, and for that, I am forever grateful.  Not only was I given a first-hand look at how a French family lives, but my French skills also drastically improved, and I gained a friendship for a lifetime.  Now, I am pursuing a French minor at Ohio State, and I hope to return to France and Ema this coming summer.  I am thankful for all France and the Cohens taught me.

I was involved in DECA, a business and marketing program, my senior year of high school at Gahanna Lincoln.  In DECA, I created a 30-page research paper and proposal, an oral presentation, and presentation boards.  I worked to complete the project over the course of the entire year, working after school and during lunch to meet deadlines, make changes, and practice my presentation.  My project on Taco Bell’s company culture and employee engagement qualified for the State and National convention.  After traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, for Nationals, I realized how much DECA has taught me.  Not only had I learned about marketing and business, but also how to set goals and achieve them, how to work with people of all kinds, and how to put my all into something I want.  These lessons can be applied to my time here at OSU and further on.  DECA was a life-changing experience that made me a better student and person.