G.O.A.L.S.

The University Honors & Scholars Center at The Ohio State University serves high-ability, motivated undergraduate students. While embracing diversity in both ideas and people, the Center fosters purposeful learning communities that enhance students’ academic and social experiences. The Center facilitates impactful, rigorous, and unique opportunities that further student success and involvement in our G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement.

Helena’s Service Reflection

This semester I participated in a variety of service based here at The Ohio State University, from Community Commitment, to invasive species removal, and I enjoyed the time I spent giving back to OSU and Columbus. I chose to do Community Commitment the first weekend of classes, I wanted to give back to Columbus, the city that will be my home for the next four years. I also participated in a the ENR Scholars river clean up on our first day, I feel that this was both educational, and made the Olentangy healthier. I chose work with the tailgate recycling program on my own, because I wanted to help prevent recyclable waste from going to the landfill. The next service opportunity was apple picking, I liked being outside while completing this activity, and I also felt that apple picking was a good use of my time, because the fruits of our labors went to the Mid-Ohio Food bank. My final service project with ENR was invasive species removal, I enjoyed this activity because the progress being made was clearly visible and a local environment was improved because of my afternoon. My final hour of service for the semester was encouraging students to register for Buckeyethon. That brings my total for service hours to 16 for the semester.

Though these service hours I addressed environmental issues, helped in an area that was short staffed, and aided in recruiting people to Buckeyethon so that more money will be raised for children at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I can continue to address the environmental issues I worked with by remaining an active ENR scholar, and I can help Buckeyethon raise more money for Nationwide by providing my team with fundraising opportunities. My experiences aligned with my expectations for the service completed with ENR, Buckeyethon, and the tailgate recycling, because the activities were clearly described before the event. However, for Community Commitment I excepted to be working outside with my hands, and I was slightly disappointed when I spent my day inside preforming mundane activities. From my activities I learned that a small amount of work can make a big difference in the planet and my community. Through participating in environmental service I helped an environment be more like nature intended it to be, and through volunteering at the library I allowed the librarians to have more time to aid patrons.

I would participate in these types of service opportunities again, because I feel that I have positively impacted others. If I were to do Community Commitment again I would choose a different activity, however, if being at the library was the only option I would still be willing to serve. The next time I serve I am going to work on seeing the change that I have made, instead of focusing on all the things that are yet to be accomplished. The most difficult aspect of service is doing activities that do not seem to improve anything, because the change is not immediately visible. The most satisfying aspect of service is knowing that change has occurred because of my actions. Through the service I have completed this semester I learned that I feel the happiest when I give back in way that causes long lasting change.

Columbus To-Do List: Coffee and Tea

 

On the eleventh of September I had spent the afternoon in German Village with my aunt Liz. My aunt picked me up right after my final class of the week, and we headed to German Village for lunch. Over the next four hours I learned so much about my aunt, from how she got the job she has today, to her favorite type of coffee. I did not realize how little I knew about a person I spend time with so often. During my time I also learned about German Village and its history, and I had a chance to see the art that my grandmother is selling in a small shop there.  The original residents of German Village were hard working immigrants who lived in well built small homes on the south side of Columbus. These homes and the brick paved streets they stand on have been preserved, and their beauty is still visible today. Liz and I spent part of our afternoon wondering through the streets of German Village, and window shopping. We ended our day with iced mochas from Stauf’s Coffee Roasters. These were exceptional mochas, with the perfect coffee to milk to chocolate ratio, my aunt took one sip, and said it was the best mocha she had ever had. We will definitely return to Stauf’s again.

Iced Mocha

Stauf’s Coffee Roasters- German Village

A month later, on October 11, I went to One Line Coffee with Miss Mallory Wiles, I can be seen here with Mallory’s iced coffee, however my drink of choice was a cappuccino, seen on the right. Unlike other coffee shops I had been to in the past, One Line Coffee cared a lot about my coffee experience, and the barista wanted to make sure that I chose the right drink. I was very happy with my decision, because my coffee not only tasted amazing, but it was also a piece of art. This was only the second time that I had ever had coffee that doubled as a work of art, and I think I will visit One Line Coffee often over the course of the next four years. The atmosphere also made the coffee shop appealing, from the location in the Short North, to the exposed brick and wood floors, One Line is the perfect place to study, or meet up with friends.

 

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The third cafe I visited was Impero Coffee Roasters, this was the best tasting coffee that I had over the course of completing this to do list. I ordered a flat white, my favorite drink at Starbucks, however, Impero’s was far superior. A flat white is made by pouring the micro-foam from whipped whole milk over ristretto shots of espresso, it is my favorite caffeinated beverage because the richness of the espresso is enhanced by the fat in the milk. I prefer flat whites to lattes because the proportion of coffee to milk is higher. The flavors of the coffee and the milk are excellently combined to create an entirely new taste that is both bold and delicate. The coffee at Impero was far superior, but the atmosphere was not as welcoming when compared to the other cafes I visited. Impero had a very modern interior with limited seating, not ideal for meeting up with friends to catch up. Impero is set up to be more of a grab and go coffee shop, where as the other cafes I visited were meant to be an experience. I was also not impressed with the latte art at Impero, seen below. Leaves were the subject of choice every time I ordered a latte type beverage while completing my to do list, however, the art at Impero was not as formal as the art from other cafes.

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My next coffee beverage was a cappuccino from Fox in the Snow Cafe, it was unfortunately my least favorite drink. The coffee was a little too bitter for my taste, but the ratio of coffee to milk was perfect. I enjoyed the full bodied taste of the coffee, however, it was a little too strong for my liking. I would still like to return to Fox in the Snow, because their breakfast offerings seem interesting, and they had a large variety of caffeinated beverages. As a coffee lover I am always willing to give a cafe a second chance, and I hope that I will be pleasantly surprised when I return the next time. Another reason I will return to Fox in the Snow is that the atmosphere is lively and inviting. The cafe would be perfect for everything from a date to an afternoon of studying. Part of the cafe can be seen in the photo below, the design is very modern, and the contrast between the white walls and the industrial furniture makes everything seem new.

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I finished my to do list at Kafe Kerouac. While there I enjoyed a mocha, the caffinated beverage that started my coffee adoration, and I was reminded of the reasons why this heavenly beverage was my favorite for several years. The combination of milk, coffee, and chocolate was delightful, and it was the perfect drink to warm me up on such a frigid day. I also enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the cafe, this made the me feel welcomed and comfortable. Kafe Kerouac is not only a cafe, but is also a used bookstore with an eclectic collection of books. Although I enjoyed the atmosphere, and a used my time there to get some studying done, I would have enjoyed my mocha more if it had been slightly less sweet. Unfortunately the amount of chocolate used to make this mocha hid the coffee flavor, and this made me miss the mocha I had at my first stop of the to do list. I think I will likely still return to Kafe Kerouac in the future, because I enjoyed the experience of being there so much. As I said in my post about Fox in the Snow Cafe, I am always willing to give a cafe a second chance.

 

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G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]