1. Global Awareness

In my first year at OSU, I completed the course ARTSSCI 1138.02, in which we studied travel and spent extended time in Ecuador. This experience was wonderfully impactful; I gained an increased appreciation for cultural diversity and international similarities. As I entered my sophomore year, I wanted to continue to experience global diversity, even if I wasn’t going abroad. I attended the languages and culture involvement fair, where I was introduced to many of the ethnic clubs on campus. As the year progressed, I attended multiple Global Engagement meetings, where I participated in interactive presentations based on different cultural topics, such as the Chinese New Year. Looking forward, I would love to experience another OSU sponsored education abroad in order to become an even more conscious and developed global citizen. I plan to apply for the “The Italian City” trip for the May semester of 2021.

2. Original Inquiry

Throughout my AU19 course, Biology 1114, I participated in a group research project. We engaged in the entire scientific process while completing our “Spice Lab,” which included a review of existing literature, experimental design, data collection, and the drafting of a final research paper. This experience significantly increased my understanding and appreciation of the research process. I also continued to work within Video Services as part of the Athletic Department. My work here shared similarities with the research process. For any given sporting event, we planned a production, then we execute the plan. At the conclusion of these events, producers shared their critiques, and for the next production we implement the critiques, always striving to improve. In the future, I intend on engaging with a faculty-managed research lab on campus, with the goal of gaining an even deeper comprehension of the research process. 

3. Academic Enrichment: Honors students will pursue academic excellence both in and out of the classroom. Students will use the Honors Contract to construct purposeful and intellectually stimulating programs of study.

I chose Neuroscience as my major because I saw it as a fascinating topic that applied the principles of many subjects, including biology, chemistry, and psychology. This major has both supported my interest in these subjects and provided me with the academic challenge that I wanted to have in my undergraduate career. My coursework includes numerous upper-division courses (specifically in my major), as well as honor courses (for general education requirements). As I aspire to go to medical school, I expect to encounter an even more intense academic rigor in the future. I believe that my major, as well as the additional pre-medical track requirements, prepares me well for this future. Enrichment grows from challenge and adversity; I purposely designed my coursework with this in mind.  

4. Leadership Development:

In the past year, two particular involvements contributed to my development as a leader: my role as a Wellness Ambassador and neuroscience tutor. As a Wellness Ambassador with the Student Life Wellness Center, I was responsible for conducing several presentations for the incoming freshman on my area of specialization, Other Drugs. I presented by myself and in collaboration with another Wellness Ambassador on the topics of marijuana and prescription drugs. As an Other Drugs specialization team we also organized numerous outreach events. This role allowed me to practice my public speaking, and it developed my confidence in large groups and authoritative positions at the same time. Working on a team allowed me to practice understanding and implementing the ideas of others. Similarly, as a tutor, I also gained confidence as a speaker and facilitator, and by working with other tutors to write questions and present, I strengthened my skills in collaboration. Much of leadership development involves the engagement with uncomfortable situations. These roles provided me with some of these situations, and it has certainly helped me grow.

5. Service Engagement

The primary service activities I was involved with this past year includes my volunteering at Riverside Methodist Hospital, my mentorship in the Inspiration Project, my participation in H2O community engagement days, and my roles as a Wellness Ambassador and neuroscience tutor. I plan to continue to engage with the community by continuing many of these involvements. Whether it be elderly patients at Riverside, underprivileged high school freshman in the Inspiration Project, or college students as a Wellness Ambassador, I see value in engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds. I look forward to continuing this involvement with diversity as I remain at Ohio State.