Posts

Columbus To-DO List

    The list I have chosen for this semester is on the topic of “Local Food Favorites”. If there is one thing I love in this world more than the dew on a crisp summer’s morn (other than my dear mother and father), it’s food. From my experience, the North Market did not disappoint on this subject. Not only did it provide a wide variety of cuisine to choose from, I also felt great knowing that the food was created using fresh and local ingredients. I did not go on this adventure alone mind you. Most of my entire ENR scholars group traveled there with me via the local bus system. I had a wonderful time wandering the market with my friends, which heightened my experience overall. While there were many places offering food, I simply had to purchase the beef pho (a vietnamese noodle dish). The crunchy bean sprouts complimented the texture of the succulent beef perfectly, and the thin rice noodles burst with the rich stock flavor. It was a party in my mouth, and everyone was invited. This specific meal is one I will not soon forget and I owe it all to the North Market. I certainly hope this assignment points me in the direction of other areas to experience new and delicious food. My original hometown was rather isolated, and didn’t offer much regarding new and interesting food besides Burgers and home-fries. Living here in Columbus has certainly opened up a whole new culinary world. One that I am raring to explore.

ENR Interview

    Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk to one of my peer leaders, Bryce Cunningham. Our conversation was both pleasant and helpful, as she was a second year and provided much appreciated information to a lowly first year like myself. We discussed important topics such as lesser known study areas and excellent places to eat. Through our mellow (albeit short) chat, I grew to learn and appreciate the character of Bryce. As a student at OSU, Bryce is pursuing a career in education and frequently volunteers on and off campus.

    One very important topic discussed and previously mentioned was study areas. Bryce mentioned that her favorites were located on the upper floors of the union and in the agriculture library. These area were specifically chosen for their seclusion and relative silence. I for one have not heard or been to the ag library, but Bryce made it seem like the perfect place to finish many assignments that have been piling around me.

    Regarding involvement on campus, Bryce informed me about “Buckeyes in the Making”. This is a student organization that is devoted to improving the livelihood of lower income children in the Columbus area. Bryce is currently involved in this organization, so her firsthand experience was well appreciated on this subject.

    Bryce encouraged me to also become a part of the ENR leadership council. NOt only would it boost my leadership skills surrounded by peers and friends. She also said it would be beneficial on a resume. Not only could you be a part of a scholars group at OSU, but you could be one of the main people making decisions among them.

    Concerning post-graduate plans, Bryce recommended having a backup path to follow, if the one I am currently traveling on turned sour. She advised that I make as many connections as possible, as to help facilitate said backup plan. As much as I would like to believe that my current career dream will come true, there is always a present possibility that it will go awry. Personally, I believe this was the most valuable piece of information Bryce told me about.

    Pertaining to life on campus, Bryce emphasised that nobody cares or concerns themselves with what you are doing, so there is no point being embarrassed with yourself around others. Since no one outwardly judges you or your appearance, you are free to feel comfortable being you.

 

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 guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

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 guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. 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 guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation includes both a description of the artifact and a reflection on why it is important to you, what you learned, and what it means for your next steps.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

     Hello! My Name is Alex Michael and I am an 18 year young college student at THE Ohio State University. Before I attended this fine university, I too had humble beginnings as an infant much like the rest of you. My life began on the eleventh of a cold September night in Marion Indiana. Life was pleasant out there. The white picket fence, the robins chirping outside my window upon the sycamore tree, the moonlight on the Wabash river. All was well and fair in the quaint little town I called home. But sooner or later, all good things must come to an end. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my family had to move to yet another tiny community: Farmersville Ohio. It was here where I placed my roots, and sprouted into the man I am today.

     While growing up in a small town can have its benefits, there are certainly some downsides. My lack of neighbors and nearby classmates was certainly an issue. With no one to play with, I looked toward myself and my surroundings for entertainment and joy. The guitar became one of these joys. While at first it was frustrating and difficult to pick up, years of practice and have both hardened my callouses and honed my ability to shred (if you, the reader, also play an instrument, do not hesitate to contact me for a jam session). The surrounding countryside also proved entertaining as there was much to explore, as the nearby creek was an excellent place to capture crayfish and other aquatic life.

     While in college I hope to accomplish two things: create lasting relationships with friends and colleagues, and to better position myself for a future in the medical field. To be able to identify the pain and stress of someone’s ailment, and to eventually alleviate it is a passion of mine, and the driving force behind my studies here at OSU. Through a biology/pre-med path, I plan to continue onto grad school and acquire my M.D. degree. With this degree I hope to involve myself in Doctors Without Borders and help those in other countries who are in dire need of attention. While the path I have chosen is long and strenuous (not to mention expensive), I believe this world needs more individuals who strive to help their fellow man. It is through generous acts that we as a people better ourselves, and our world.