For our spring semester Explore Columbus, Katie, Carly and I all took a trip down to the short north to eat at the North Market. The North Market is a Columbus staple that both Carly and Katie had yet had the chance to try since being on campus. This experience allows people to enjoy food from all around the world in one large market, housing dozens of merchants. Even though I personally have been there many times, there are still plenty of options that I have yet to try.

Getting to the North Market is surprisingly very easy. I met both Katie and Carly after our classes had ended for the day. We met in the Smith-Steeb lobby and from there headed to the bus stop to catch the number two COTA bus down to the short north. The bus ride went much smoother for us this time around, and due to it being a weekday there was plenty of space on the bus. Within 10 minutes we found ourselves near the end of the short north, about a block away from the North Market. Luckily it was a beautiful day out, so we walked down the block and to the market. The market was thankfully not too crowded, however due to the close proximity of all the venders it can be a bit tricky to navigate in larger groups. We were able to make our way around and decided to take a few laps around the entire market in order to better survey all of our options. Along the way I also gave both Katie and Carly some suggestions and tips since I have eaten from quick a few of the places in the market.

We had a lot of fun simply walking around the market and taking in all the exotic and enticing options. However, when it came to choosing our meals we all became quite indecisive. Early on, I convinced Carly that she had to try the perogies at the Polish restaurant, as she mentioned how much she enjoys them. We stopped off there first so she could buy a couple as a side dish. Carly was also the first to decide on her main dish as well. She stopped off to get some brisket and green beans from the BBQ station, Market and Boar, meanwhile Katie and I continued to narrow down our options. In the end, Katie and I both ended  up near the Asian section of the market. I decided to finally tried Momo Ghar, a Himalayan restaurant that is know for it’s famous dumplings. Because of this, I decided to order there standard dumpling dish with special sauce. Katie opted for a Vietnamese rice and noodle bowl at Lan Viet. After we all decided on had our food, we headed upstairs to find seating.

The upstairs is like an open balcony that overlooks the entire Market, and there is many tables that you can sit at and enjoy your meal. Because the market wasn’t busy we found a seat right away. We sat down and immediately began to dig into our food. We all ended up being very pleased with our choices. Personally, my dumplings were some of the best I had ever had and I found myself wanting another dish. Both Katie and Carly also spoke about how delicious there food was, and that they were glad that we had gone so that they could try new food.

During dinner, we also discussed how the end of the year was going for both of them. With finals fast approaching, the both were feeling pretty good about their classes. While neither of them were looking forward to exams, the anticipation of summer was already on their minds. Both Katie and Carly had fun summer plans to spend some time with their families, friends, and to relax. Looking forward to next year, they were both about to schedule classes as well. I talked to them both and gave some advice for how to best handle the stress that comes with planning classes. I also talked to them both about the possibilities of online classes, as they both had interest in taking classes that could potentially be offered online. I spoke about my experience with online classes, which has been very positive. However I also warned them that it takes a certain level of motivation and dedication in order to succeed in online classes, but reassured them both that I’m confident in their academic ability to succeed. Overall they both expressed excitement about finishing this semester, heading into summer, and the possibilities that next semester holds for each of them.

We ended our time at the North Market by each buying a piece of tiramisu from the Italian merchant. We decided to get these to go, as the market was about to close. We then waited for another COTA bus which took us back to south campus. I walked Carly and Katie back to Smith-Steeb and wished them luck on the rest of their semesters. Upon returning home, we all ended up eating our pieces of tiramisu. Within minutes I received texts from both of the girls thanking me and raving about how amazing their desserts were. Overall, it was a really great experience and we all had a lot of fun. I would highly recommend the North Market to everyone. There are so many great food options to explore, along with other fun merchants that sell other products such as novelty items, spices, produce, flowers, and more. There is truly something for everyone at the market to enjoy, and it’s a super fun place to check out with your friends.

Carly Goodwin: Psychology

Carly and I began our interview by catching up a bit. We talked about our mornings and our schedules for this semester. Carly seems to be doing well in her second semester, especially in her academics. I first asked her if she was still enjoying her major. She excitedly said yes. She’s especially excited to start talking some of the more advanced courses next year that are more specific to her interests.  I also asked her if she had any classes that have been particularly challenging. She explained how she felt her classes were more spread out in terms of course load and that all seemed to be moderately challenging, but not overwhelming. She expressed how easy this semester seems in comparison to last semester as she had been struggling with calculus. Next, we moved into the topic of involvement and clubs. I asked her how her current clubs were going, and if she thinks she will keep the same involvement next year. Carly informed me that she has decided to stop her tap club, as she feels it wasn’t a very good fit for her. However, she is still doing Pen PALS and is really excited to continue this involvement next year. She really enjoys forming relationships with her pen pals and says that the letters from her middle schooler are the highlight of her day. Carly is also considering going Students for Refugees. Her brother participated in this group during his time at OSU and convinced her that it would be a great opportunity for her. She’s really looking forward to working more with kids as well as continuing her community service in a new way.

Carly and I then began to talk more about ACES and her involvement thus far. Carly reflected on her first semester and was happy to report that she is liking the program so far. She feels more confident in the program this semester as well, and she is almost finished with her events and service hours. I asked her if anything has been surprising for her in the program. She stated that the program is pretty much what she had expected, but in the best ways. She also spoke about how great the living community in Smith-Steeb has been for her and how she’s made a lot of close friendships through the dorm living. With this, she said that her favorite memory from this last semester has been hanging out in the dorm and getting to know her floor mates better through game and movie nights. Lastly, Carly and I talked a little about careers and her goals. I asked her if she had any changes to her future plans and endeavors. She told me that not much as changed, and that she still hopes to work with kids and mental health in some way. Overall, it was really great to get to meet with Carly and I’m thrilled to see her doing so well this semester!

Katie Harpham: Human Nutrition & Dietetics

Katie and I began by talking about our days. We both had a heavy class load but were glad to get a bit of a break together. She had an especially busy day with 5 classes. We then start talking about academics and her major.  Katie said she is really enjoying her major and thinks she made the right choice. She hasn’t really began to take much course work, but is excited to start that next semester. She is currently in a class that outlines career paths in the major and it has made her very excited for the possible careers. We then moved on to talk about involvement and her student organizations. Katie is still involved with BFF’s and the running club for kids. She really is enjoying BFF’s and has started to take on some leadership roles within the nutrition committee. She hopes to become the nutrition committee chair when the current one graduates. The running club for kids is about to start again this semester, and she’s looking forward to getting to work with the kids again. This org has showed her how much she enjoys working with children, and hopes to incorporate that into her career. However, she may not continue with this club in the future. She is applying to be an OA for next year and wants to explore more options for involvement.

Katie and I then began to talk about ACES and last semester. She is really enjoying the ACES program, and especially likes the service events. I asked her how she felt about the Smith-Steeb community, to which she had a bit of a mixed response. She stated that she enjoyed living there, but she doesn’t see her other floor mates much. However, she is getting along very well with her roommate. Katie stated that one of her favorite memories from this last semester was getting to become friends with her roommate. This was something she was unsure of before coming to college, and she’s excited about how well it has been going. Lastly, we spoke a bit about careers and the future. Katie definitely is more confident in her future plans and goals now that she has chosen her major. She still wants to keep her potential career options open, however really wants to work with children. She thinks she may want to teach nutrition to kids, or work in the pediatric nutrition unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She’s hoping to explore her possible careers more through possibly becoming a wellness ambassador or wellness coach in the years to come. I informed her that I can help her get more information through my friends who are currently in these programs. Overall, it was a great time for both of us to reconnect. I’m really excited to see how well she is doing in her second semester and can’t wait to continue seeing her grow!

Katie, Carly and I went to Brassica for our explore Columbus. We took a COTA down to the short north location. The bus ride was interesting, we had a  couple instances that were a bit concerning. There were a couple of concerning looking people on the bus, but I made sure to try and find a spot on the crowded bus that was less populated. There was also a bit of yelling, as one women was unhappy with how another man was talking to her. Specifically though, one man was a bit extra concerning. He tried starting a conversation with us multiple times, but I was doing my best to politely steer clear. He then was attempting to join us for dinner as he had questioned us about what we were doing that night. I managed to handle the situation by politely informing him that we were currently on a trip for school and ended the conversation he had been carrying with us. We then got off the bus at the next stop and walked a few extra blocks to the restaurant. The girls both seemed a bit upset with the interaction, as they had both only been on the COTA a couple times. I assured them that these instances don’t often happen, but if they do then they should handle it similarly to how I did, depending on how threatening the situation appears to be of course.

Other than that, the night was really great. Brassica was something that all three of us had yet to try. The restaurant serves line-style Mediterranean food in a make-your-own fashion. Katie and I both enjoyed a pita pocket while Carly opted for the salad. All three of us also decided to try their house made falafel, which was some of the best we have all ever had.  The food was excellent and luckily we were able to find seats in the back where we were able to have a great conversation. I talked to the girls about some of the fun things going on in their lives since we last spoke.  Katie informed us that she has finally decided on her major and is going to apply to be in the college of dietetics and human nutrition. Carly also shared her excitement for preparing to find a dance club to join upon returning in the spring semester. We talked a little bit about upcoming finals and the stress of this time of year. I reminded them to always take breaks and times to do some self care. I also spoke a little about reading day and some of the fun activities they can partake in during study breaks.

I then talked to them a bit about what sophomore year can look like and about the importance of figuring out second year housing early. The girls both seemed fairly confident in their current living situations and hopeful about being able to live with some of their friends next year. I spoke to them a bit about my dorm specifically, since it’s an all sophomore dorm, and gave them some inside details about the building and the room layout. I also warned them about the dangers of sophomore year and the truth behind the “sophomore slump”. I again reminded them to stay focused and goal orientated as to not feel burnt out or overwhelmed coming into their second year. Even thought they still have another semester to their freshman year, they both seemed excited and driven about their upcoming years at Ohio State. We ended the night with a COTA ride back to campus, which was luckily much calmer than our first trip to the resturant.

Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend the restaurant to a friend or another mentor. It was fun to experience a new place in the city that we had all never tried before. It was also great to find a place that served very authentic Mediterranean food as that isn’t easy to find, even in the city. The trip was a really great way for all of us to get out of our comfort zone a bit and try new things. It was also a good chance to catch up with Carly and Katie and to see how well they have been adjusting to college life on campus. I’m very confident that both of the girls are on track to be extremely successful both in ACES as well as in their entire time at Ohio State.

Katie Harpham: Undecided

My interview with Katie went very well. First, we talked about academics and what has been challenging for her so far this year. She expressed that her psychology class was a bit difficult as it is very content heavy and she is nervous for her first exams. Since I am a psychology major myself, I assured her I can always be a resource if she feels she needs help. We then spoke about her interests in involvement on campus. She expressed how excited she is for ACES and the service aspects of the program. Along the lines of service, she has joined a service based running club for kids and is considering joining a club that bakes for the needy. She is also considering joining a food science academic club as she is considering declaring that as her major. Along with being excited for the service parts of ACES, Katie is also looking forward to having the opportunity to get to know her fellow ACES and the ability to form friendships with people who share similar interests. I assured her that I have made great friendships with many of my fellow ACES  during my first year. When talking about careers, Katie is still unsure of her exact path. Despite this, we had a great conversation about her increasing interests in pursing her dream. Her childhood dream was to open a restaurant and be a chef. While she no longer wants to pursue this exact dream job, she still wants to use her passion for food to possibly become a pediatric nutritionist. I also got the chance to talk about my experiences last year in the research kitchen through the nutrition and dietetics college. I expressed that I can help connect her with my old boss and colleges in the college if she wants to explore any of those possibilities. Lastly, we spoke about how to balance academics with involvement. She expressed that she is going to be proactive by staying on top of her schedule. She also talked about making sure she does school work during the day and allowing time at night for clubs and involvement. I gave her the advice to make sure she has a physical schedule where she can keep track of her involvement and school work. I also expressed she can always come to me if she feels conflicted or overwhelmed.

Carly Goodwin: Psychology

Carly and I had a great conversation during our interview. First, Carly and I talked about why she chose her major, since we both are psych majors. She talked about how she took AP psych in high school and fell in love with psychology through that class. She also talked about how she enjoys how many opportunities psychology offers in terms of careers, which is also a reason I chose the major. I expressed to her that she can always come to me with any questions about the major or even just to chat about classes. We then also discussed her interests in campus involvement. Carly talked about joining a tap club on campus as she really enjoys dance. She is considering joining a second dance club (possibly Kendall’s Studio Dance) next semester. For now, Carly wants to stick with just one club as to not get too overwhelmed which I agree is a great idea. She is also really excited about ACES. Specifically, she is excited about the volunteer opportunities and getting to experience new things with new people. I expressed how the mentorship program is a great way to do that! Next, we talked about what she is considering doing with her major after graduation. As with most psychology majors, Carly is planning to obtain at least a Master’s degree but is not sure in what field. She knows she wants to work with kids in some faucet, possibly becoming an adolescent therapist. We then had a great conversation about how even though grad school is important, it is also important to enjoy this time in undergrad and to not worry too much about graduate school at this stage. I also told her she can always use me as a resource for any questions about grad school or the application process. Lastly, Carly and I also talked about how to balance school with involvement. Carly spoke about how she will always try to put academics first. She will do this by not procrastinating on school work and planning involvement around her academics. I expressed how amazing these things are to already be aware of as a first year, and also shared with her the importance of keeping a physical schedule as to make sure to not forget about any meetings or school work. Again, I expressed that she can always come to me if she is feeling overwhelmed or wants to chat about any issues or questions she may have.

ACES Film Project-1stinc3

For my ACES film project I worked with Hadas and Eric to present on the film Finding Home. The film follows three Cambodian women and their unique stories of sex trafficking. The movie goes in depth about the kind of tactics used to lure girls into sex slavery as well as the harsh conditions of sexual exploitation. The organization, Rapha House, is located in Cambodia and other Asian countries in order to provide a safe house for underage girls who have been sexually exploited. Rapha House works together with these  girls to help them recover, both mentally and physically, from the life of sex slavery they have been forced into. The girls are given the opportunity for education and job training as well. Through watching the powerful documentary and discussion with my group, I was very moved by the struggles that women face with sex trafficking. This problem is effecting the entire world, not just in these developing countries. Even though it is more of an issue in developing countries as people use the poverty in order to enslave young girls, we see these problems here in the United States as well. With Toledo being one of the worst locations in America for sex trafficking, we cannot ignore this problem. Because of this film, I have donated money to a local Columbus organization, She Has A Name. I plan to continue to educate myself and others on this pressing issue and to find more ways to volunteer and donate in order to find solutions and relief for these victims.