Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: Growing up in Toledo, Ohio, I never had great exposure to much racial diversity. The population was mostly Caucasian. However, the diversity of Toledo compared to that of the Ohio State University is almost like culture-shock; one can see an individual of a different race pretty much everywhere you go. To attend a school where diversity is so valued opens doors to the innumerable ways one can become involved and contribute to advocating for diversity on campus. I have become heavily involved in the Asian American Association; this umbrella organization not only allows me to become more informed of the issues that occur amongst Asians and Asian Americans, but it also pushes members to advocate and contribute to these causes. Attending monthly meetings where we hold semi-formal debates or inviting guest speakers is something I always look forward to. Not only do I gain more knowledge on Asian and Asian American issues, but I also begin to develop an appreciation for the beautiful differences between individuals and how each difference, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is valued.

Original Inquiry: I’ve always been interested in research. I took a research course in high school that allowed me to examine any topic, conduct an experiment, and present my results at local and state science fairs. So far, I’ve been mostly focused on my academics, but have decided that I would begin the research process next year as a sophomore. After discussing with several peers and mentors, I’ve narrowed down potential research topics to pathology and treatments or genetics.

Academic Enrichment: I’ve known from a young age that I love helping others. I care about the well-being of others, so why not kill two birds with one stone and become involved in an occupation I love and pursue other interests? Aspiring nursing majors like myself must become well versed in the sciences, my favorite core subject. The prerequisite courses for OSU’s College of Nursing include Anatomy, EEOB, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, English, and Sociology. As these are only prerequisite courses, they only give students an introduction as to what kind of curriculum they will be exposed to in the College of Nursing program in the future.

Leadership Development: As mentioned earlier, I am a part of the Asian American Association, more specifically, the Leadership Development Program. This competitive program allows selected students to develop leadership skills by working alongside AAA executive board members to plan events and address Asian American issues. Additionally, we are provided several opportunities and resources to build towards our own professional goals and careers. At the end of second semester, L.D.P. members are solely responsible for planning, fundraising, and hosting an end-of-year event for AAA. We are given the freedom to do whatever we want with this event. Being so involved in this program is truly edifying, because I have significantly improved my networking, communication, as well as professionalism skills as a result. At the same time, working with other students for a cause I am truly passionate about makes my undergraduate experience all the better.

Service Engagement: My position in the Advocates for Children and Education Scholars program has significantly contributed to my involvement in community engagement and service. Particularly, the Scholars Seminar allows me to discuss a myriad of national and global social issues regarding poverty, community, and (obviously) education. Being part of ACES requires each member to fulfill at least 15 service hours each semester; however, our advisors strongly recommend that we go beyond and engage in as many service opportunities as possible. I plan on remaining in this program for as long as possible to continue serving the local community as well as addressing global social issues.

 

 

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

Usually, people cringe or groan at the sight of lab goggles, because they denote another day in the laboratory. To most, the thought sounds unappealing; however, the opposite is true for me.

I’ve always loved chemistry, especially the laboratory aspect. I love conducting experiments and watching chemical reactions occur before my own eyes and determining how and why these reactions happen. Every time I see my laboratory goggles, I think about all of the fun labs I’ve done in high school and college and how much I look forward to conducting more interesting experiments in the future. It wasn’t until after I started attending the Ohio State University when I began to seriously consider pursuing a minor in chemistry. My laboratory goggles is just a reminder of how much I love chemistry; I move one step closer to declaring a minor in chemistry every time I look at it. Chemistry is a passion of mine, and my lab goggles is just a reminder of this passion.

The Advocates for Children and Education Scholars program is probably the best decision I’ve made coming to the Ohio State University. The t-shirt I received is a reminder of how much I enjoy being in the program; I wear it all the time!

Engaging with children in any setting, whether it be on the playground or in the classroom, has always been a passion of mine. While my first passion is nursing, the ACES program allows me to pursue other interests.

Everyone in the ACES program is so friendly and passionate about similar causes: education, children, and community. This environment is extremely conducive to forming close relationships with each other. The advisors Laura and Anna are so engaging and involved in the program; I truly appreciate their efforts in striving to improve the program each year.

With that, the ACES Pillars Film Project presentation is another artifact that I would like to discuss. In a group of about four to five members, we were all required to view an educational documentary of our choice and prepare a presentation that followed specific criterion.

This project allowed me to improve interpersonal relationships by developing greater communication and collaboration skills. Working with each member not only allowed me to learn more about community and teamwork, but I also developed a special connection with each of the girls. Overall, the ACES program allows me to take these opportunities to create meaningful relationships and advocate for relevant, significant causes today.

About Me

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Hi, everyone! I’m Katie Hsieh (my last name is pronounced like “chef” without the “f”). I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan for the first seven years of my life before moving to Toledo, Ohio in 2004. I love researching, reading, eating ice cream (or food in general), and hanging out with friends in my free time.

I’ve always known that I would become a future Buckeye, given that my cousin and mother were alumnae. Listening to their experiences made me all the more eager to begin my college education at the Ohio State University. When I committed to this school, I had high hopes and dreams to fulfill my dream of obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree as well as develop leadership and social skills. Most of all, surrounding myself with all the culture and diversity is what I look most forward to at the Ohio State University.

Helping others has always been a passion of mine. From a young age, I’ve known that becoming a nurse would be the perfect occupation for me. Nurses are patient, dedicated, intuitive, and most of all, empathetic. Throughout my life, these are all qualities that I eventually found in myself. I care about the well being of others. I don’t want to be involved in an occupation where only I am the one who reaps all of the benefits I sow, rather, I want to contribute my skills to others as well.