Sophomore Year G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness

I have always enjoyed learning about different cultures and traditions around the world. I believe that an understanding of one’s background develops trust and the ability to cooperate with diverse peoples. So far, to develop Global Awareness, I have assumed executive board positions in the Taiwanese American Student Association and Tzu Ching, a Taiwanese-based charity organization. Both these organizations have allowed me to share my background with other students through cultural events and service activities. I also have the opportunity to learn about the cultures of different countries through the collaborations TASA and TC hold with other cultural clubs. For example, TASA’s Night Market and Moon Festival Celebrations require the participation of student organizations such as Hong Kong Student Association, J2K, an Asian dance group, the Vietnamese Student Association, Malaysian American Student Association, Chinese American Student Association, Indian American Student Association, and many others. Their performances and food booths at our events allow me the opportunity to learn about their culture’s delectable foods and traditions. I plan to work toward the Global Awareness goal by traveling to Ghana next summer for a Buck-I-Serv trip, funded by my STEP grant money. I also plan to take courses such as International Studies 2800H (Peace Studies) and Religious Studies 2101.01H (Literature and Religion) to further my knowledge about the world.

 

Original Inquiry

I have participated in the research process by working at Dr. Glenn Lin’s Neuroscience Drug Discovery Lab. I started working at his lab as a second semester freshman and have continued to work there since. Summer of 2017, I stayed in Columbus to work on my own research project on the effects of the glutamate transporter EAAT2 on depression. That summer I learned so much about the research process, from how to run and collect behavioral test data using mice test subjects, how to care for the subjects and administer the different treatments, how to control for variables, and how to collect molecular protein data. I also made a research poster for the first time and presented at the Fall Undergraduate Research Forum. This whole process allowed me to appreciate the amount of work behind the development of a drug, from the preliminary, pilot studies, all the way to the final clinical trials. I realized how much verifying is required and how much time it takes to create a drug that humans can use. I plan to continue working in this lab until I graduate college to finish my individual research project on depression. I also will take advanced course work such as Clinical Foundations of Neurological Disease that will require me to read scholarly articles of the research done by other professors and scientists.

 

Academic Enrichment

My Honors Contract demonstrates a commitment to the goal of academic enrichment because the courses I have selected serve to challenge me to think critically and learn beyond what is necessary. I chose to major in Neuroscience because the brain and human body intrigue me. As a student aspiring to become a doctor, this major will prepare me well in my future goals. I chose GE courses that interest me as well. Many of these courses have to do with the study of different cultures because, as mentioned previously, I enjoy developing knowledge on people of different backgrounds. I believe that in the workplace, I will encounter diverse populations. In order to best serve them, I need to have an understanding of their situations and where they are coming from. The GE courses I have chosen will help me gain this knowledge, fostering empathy and the ability to connect with people regardless of cultural or economic differences. These courses also meet the honors requirement of 3000 level or above, or honors, demonstrating my commitment to excellence.

 

Leadership Development

I am involved in the Taiwanese American Student Association. Freshman year, I was an active member, playing a role on the Moon Festival planning committee, Night Market planning committee, and helped prepare food and run booths for our Local Flavors event. As a sophomore, I took on a leadership position in the organization as Philanthropy Chair to help our club raise funds. I also contributed to the planning of our Midwest Conference as Sponsorship Chair, contacting many organizations to seek for donations. Next year, I will be the Vice President of TASA and expect to assume even greater leadership responsibility in the planning of our events and decision-making. I am also a member of the Taiwanese-based charity organization, Tzu Ching. Freshman year, I was an active member, attending many of the nursing home visits, some food bank service activities, and book study events. Sophomore year, I was Secretary of TC, taking part in executive board meetings, hosting activities such as general body meetings, our biannual Veggie Cooking Nights, and Welcome Party. I am also a member of the Buckeye Philharmonic Orchestra. I have been elected to be Treasurer of this student organization for next year, so I plan on playing a larger role in the management and planning for this club. Finally, I am also an Ambassador for the Neuroscience Major, helping set up and tear down during events for the major such as Field Day, Fall Bonfire, and Great Pancake Break. During the events I converse with freshman and make them feel connected with the major. My involvement in these extra-curricular activities relate to my personal and career goals because one of my goals for college was to make new friends. I have done exactly that through the clubs I am involved in and the activities we do make my college experience even more enjoyable and meaningful. I also believe that being so involved challenges me to manage my time wisely and learn important communication and decision-making skills, which will help develop the qualities necessary for becoming a successful doctor.

 

Service Engagement

I began volunteering with Tzu Ching at nursing homes, food banks, and raising donations for disaster relief efforts freshman year. I plan on continuing through the rest of my college career. I also began volunteering at Riverside Hospital during my first year of college. I started off being a greeter, helping discharging patients, and delivering newspapers to patient floors. Now, I primarily volunteer as an information desk helper. I will continue volunteering at Riverside until I graduate. I also have done community service events such as the Martin Luther King Day of Service, helping Campus Parc with football game cleaning, and volunteering at a warehouse called Mathew 25. In addition to volunteering with TC and Riverside, I plan on signing up for these one-time events with friends because they are not only fun, we are also giving back to the community.

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.]

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.]

About Me

[Your “About Me” is an introduction and should provide insight into who you are as a person and a learner.  This should include a picture of you that is appropriate in a professional/academic context. This information should be continually updated.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio.  Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

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.]