The Honors and Scholars G.O.A.L.S. (Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development and Service Engagement) are a key focus of Ohio State’s honors program. As I navigate my second year, I am thinking about how each of these areas will enhance my education. In my pursuit of fulfilling each of these areas as a student double majoring in Chinese and economics, with a minor in mathematics, here are my thoughts:

Global Awareness: Although I was unable to study in China this past summer due to the pandemic, I am looking forward to future international experiences in what will be a new and safer post-COVID world. Ohio State’s Office of International Affairs offers many interesting programs which I plan to pursue. Studying in China will give me a first-hand, in-country perspective, allowing me to not only improve my Chinese language skills but also foster understanding through cross-cultural communication.

Original Inquiry: I hope to conduct research with faculty mentors as well as complete an honors thesis. An area of interest that I am currently exploring for my honors thesis involves China’s trade relationship with the world, in particular with the U.S. and the Belt and Road Initiative host countries.

Academic Enrichment: I am working towards completing a double major with a minor through the honors program, which involves rigorous courses each semester that will both engage and challenge me. I also think it is important to explore learning opportunities outside the classroom, and I have attended conferences and lectures (both in-person and virtually) through such organizations as the Columbus Council on World Affairs.

Leadership Development: I was selected to be a representative for Ohio State’s Global Leadership Initiative (GLI) – a cohort of international and domestic students working to promote global citizenship and diversity inclusiveness both on campus and within communities throughout the Columbus area. I hold a leadership role in GLI’s educational outreach initiative centered on bringing notable authors and students together in a virtual classroom setting to discuss important issues of diversity and inclusion, culture and religion, and immigration. I strive to be a leader not only in university organizations but also in the classroom as well as in outside organizations.

Service Engagement: As a second-year Eminence Fellow, I am actively participating in our Cultivate Columbus community gardens service project that promotes sustainable practices, healthy eating, and food security in Columbus. I, along with several members of my Eminence Fellow cohort, designed the Cultivate Columbus website that not only showcases our Eminence service project but also gives people the opportunity to participate, connect, and share.