- Global Awareness:
As an International development major, global awareness is ingrained in my studies. In the few major classes I have taken thus far, a great deal of class time is devoted to looking at different countries’ cultural backgrounds and how they might affect their ability to develop. I am also involved in a nonprofit here that focuses on helping to alleviate poverty in 3rd world countries and my involvement definitely contributes to my global awareness. We conduct different business ventures and fundraisers throughout the school year and then partner with a non-governmental organization in an underdeveloped country and work to fund and implement a project there over the summer. By being in Nourish I have learned a great deal about other countries, particularly developing ones, and how they differ greatly from the U.S. This summer I will be going on our 2-month summer project to a village outside of Iquitos, Peru. There, we will be implementing an agroforestry project that entails revamping the land of which has been greatly destroyed due to the areas large use of slash and burn techniques. We will also be helping around the village school and working on planting an above ground kitchen garden with some of the children. By going on this project I expect to be greatly immersed in the culture there and to learn a lot about the area and myself.
- Original Inquiry:
Throughout my time here I have been introduced to many opportunities for original inquiry. In all the classes I have taken thus far, my professors encourage us to think for ourselves and to ask ourselves the questions to deepen our understanding and curiosity. To further develop the original Inquiry section of the Honors and Scholars’ G.O.A.L.S I am planning on starting to take part in research next year.
- Academic Enrichment:
My honors contract demonstrates my commitment to academic Enrichment due to the unique path I have decided to take. For a majority of freshman year, I found myself struggling to decide whether I wanted to be a dentist or do something that entailed international studies. I had been going back and forth for a while and eventually asked myself “why not do both?” I love the dentistry profession, but am super interested in the development of third world countries and the dilemmas that so many of them face. I decided to make my major International development purely because I enjoy learning about it and want to challenge myself to try and think of solutions to problems that many have deemed “unsolvable.” I have utilized all of my GEs to further develop my knowledge on certain topics that interest me but that I do not get exposed to in major or pre-dentistry track. Many pre dentistry students choose to go with a science major such as bio that overlaps greatly with the prerequisites for dental school and although I have to take more classes and it has been a bit difficult to fit everything in, I am so glad I decided on International Development because I like a challenge and truly love my classes.
- Leadership Development:
As stated above, I am greatly involved in Nourish International here on campus. Ever since the involvement fair freshman year, I have attended almost every meeting. I started off as a general body member and then at the beginning of sophomore year got elected director of ventures. Throughout this year I have coordinated our business endeavors such as Fair Trade Jewelry sales, Ugly Christmas Sweater sales, and many others during the planning, implementation and execution processes. Recently I further moved up the exec board ladder and was elected president for next year. I plan on continuing to contribute to the organization and to make the next two years Nourishs’ best.
- Service Engagement:
I am going to Peru this summer and donating 2 months of my time to a cause that I greatly care for. Furthermore, Nourish International is a service based club and a devote much of my time to it. I also plan on trying to join a service fraternity next semester because I would like to be doing more.