Global Awareness

As an International Studies major, much of my coursework revolves around global engagement and understanding- I have taken courses on East Asia, international law, peace studies, the United Nations system, and plan take courses dealing with international theory and the Troubles in Ireland. My course work demonstrates that I have studied and continue to seek out courses dealing with global issues from a variety of perspectives. Additionally, I have chosen a comparative politics focus for my political science major. I have taken courses on the Canadian Political System as well as Politics of the Developing World. I plan to take Russian Politics, Comparative Politics of the Welfare State, African Politics, and many other political science courses with a global lense. My dedication to seeking an international perspective in my coursework has helped me identify as a global citizen.

Additionally, this summer I will live in Ottawa, Canada while I intern in the Canadian House of Commons for Deputy Speaker of the House, Carol Hughes. I am also seeking other opportunities to study abroad, I plan to apply to study abroad spring of my junior year through the Political Science department’s Sciences Po exchange program.

Original Inquiry

Many of my courses have culminated in final extended research papers that have provided my largest experience with research as an undergraduate student. In my history of Tudor and Stuart Britain course I wrote a paper on how Mary Queen of Scots’ upbringing negatively affected her preparedness to rule her country later in life. Last semester I researched the Bretton Woods Conference to prepare a paper on the Bretton Woods Treaty for International Law, as well as how the modern infrastructure and development of Singapore can be a model for other small countries or large cities around the world. This semester for History of US Foreign Policy I am focusing on the Nixon administration’s decision to invade Cambodia and how American military action affected the political instability of the country that contributed to the rise of the Khmer Rouge.

As part of my STEP Professional Development Co-Curricular requirement, I attended two sessions put on by Ohio State Libraries on how to conduct quality research. These presentations introduced me to the many resources Ohio State provides to aid in student research, such as subject libraries and the “OSU Choosing and Using Sources” handbook.

One of my goals for my undergraduate career is the complete an Undergraduate Honors Thesis to present at the Denman Forum my senior year. Although my majors are in International Studies and Political Science, I have found I most enjoy history research and would like to write a paper on a history topic. For this reason I am taking as many history courses as possible to prepare. I’ve always loved learning about American First Ladies, and I think I would like to do a paper on the topic of “modern” First Ladies compare two women from the twentieth century to see how they approached their role.

Academic Enrichment

I have always chosen coursework for my genuine interest in the topics covered rather than my ability to get an A in the class. When I took a StrengthsQuest evaluation last spring, my most dominant quality was intellectual curiosity, and I believe my approach to my studies demonstrates this. Last semester I took two five-thousand level courses that were a mix of graduate and undergraduate students and earned As in both of them. Although I was initially anxious about the academic rigor, I quickly learned that I was up to the task and gave the classes my all. I know that in classes I have a passion for, I can compete with the top of the class. I consistently ranked in the top ten students of a one hundred person class on test performances last fall. Furthermore, at this point in my college career I have earned a 3.9 GPA and I intend to maintain this.

Lastly, I am a student assistant at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies. I chose to apply for this position because it provides so many opportunities to connect with my area of study outside of my classes. I have developed relationships with professors from the Political Science department that I would not have otherwise met, and my boss has shared information with me on my current study abroad program that I would not have known about without him. I love the opportunity to have an on-campus job that connects so closely with my academic interests.

I am not seeking to do the bare minimum to graduate, I want to make sure all of the classes I am taking are providing new and stimulating information. I am also considering adding another minor in History because I’ve developed so many academic interests while at Ohio State, and I would like to pursue them further.  

Leadership Development

Extracurricular involvement has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my time at Ohio State. Currently I am involved in the Collegiate Council on World Affairs as the Head Delegate for Ohio State’s Model United Nations team. This semester alone I have organized trips to take thirty seven students to conferences in Montreal, Canada, State College, Pennsylvania, and Chicago Illinois. I am in charge of running simulations and training students to prepare for these conferences as well as conference and travel logistics. A responsibility of this position also includes being on the executive board of the Collegiate Council on World Affairs, wherein I collaborate with my peers to make decisions to guide the direction of the club. Lastly, I am Chief of Staff for OSUMUN, the high school Model United Nations conference that CCWA puts on. I was in charge of selecting committees, performing test-runs of them, and being the point person for feedback and emergencies during the conference itself. The Collegiate Council on World Affairs has provided me so many opportunities to grow as a leader and I look forward to future opportunities.

Additionally, I serve as a Deputy Director in the Governmental Relations committee of the Undergraduate Student Government. This fall I organized a Government Greets event where Councilmember Elizabeth Brown visited campus to bring attention to tampon accessibility and USG’s efforts to make that a reality at Ohio State. This spring I helped organize USG’s Advocacy trip to Washington DC to meet with our federal representatives and share the student perspective with them. I was also involved in a USG Campaign this semester where I served as a Deputy Director of Policy. I met with various student groups to discuss different issues on campus and then contributed to our team’s eighty page policy document to improve the student experience at Ohio State.

Service Engagement

This semester I joined Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity, and one of the main factors in my decision was the organization’s philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. Reading has been and still is my favorite activity to do to relax and learn, and I would love to be able to help instill that love of learning in others. I have set a goal of volunteering through Reading is Fundamental twice every semester going forward at a local elementary school. Service was a large component of my high school experience and I want to make sure I am continuing this responsibility in my undergraduate career.

Global Awareness: I am pursuing a major in International Affairs so my coursework will be beneficial in gaining a deeper understanding of the international community. I would like to pursue studying abroad through the Canadian Parliament internship to learn about the government of another country firsthand, and the Oxford Pre-law study abroad experience to learn about British law. I take Chinese so in the future I think I’ll look into applying for the Critical Language Scholarship for an immersion to improve my fluency.

Original Inquiry: I would definitely like to assist a professor in research pertaining to political science or international studies, and hopefully I can pursue an undergraduate honors thesis.

Academic Enrichment: I would like to go into politics after I graduate, hence I am a political science major. I’m very interested in foreign policy so I’m also pursuing a B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in International Affairs and Diplomacy. That major requires a minor in a foreign language, I’ve taken Chinese for five years and I plan to continue with that language. I also love learning about history so I plan to take history courses for my first and second historical study general education requirements. Hopefully I have time later on to take more classes to get a minor in History. I plan to intern with the Washington Academic Internship to make sure I enjoy it.

Leadership Development: I am in Undergraduate Student Government as a committee member, there are a lot of opportunities for growth such as becoming a Deputy Director, Director, running for General Assembly, or being on the Executive Board. I’m not sure what I would like to do in the coming years but USG is something I’d like to stay with. Another part of USG that I’m involved with is the leadership development group for first year new members called Interns. I’m a member of the Collegiate Council on World Affairs and I travel to external Model United Nations conferences with them. I went to a conference held by Georgetown in October and I’m going to a conference in January at McGill University in Montreal. CCWA also puts on a conference for high school students called OSUMUN in March. I’m working with another member to chair the Ad Hoc committee this year and have been approached to eventually take over the conference as an upperclassman.  

Service Engagement: I think a great way to get involved with service at Ohio State is through Buck-i-Serv, I plan to do at least one by the time I graduate. I’m also interested in being a part of College Mentors for Kids and Girls on the Run, I was involved in similar activities in high school and found them very fulfilling and worthwhile.

[ “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.]