“What are you?” A common phrase among my daily conversation, especially when I meet new people. Out of context it probably seems like the most absurd question to ask someone but I have to say if I met myself that I, too, would probably ponder the same. I’ve never previously viewed myself as a diverse person, maybe diverse in my physical appearance, but not enough when it came to my culture or personality. Moving to Ohio, I have only realize how lucky I am with the diversity I possess. I’m lucky to grow up in a multicultural home where I would practice Irish and Chinese traditions in harmony. I have learned Irish lullabies but also how to make a paper crane in under two minutes. But what I am even more grateful for is the diversity of experiences I have had and the diversity of the people who have shaped me. I have found an unwonted home with empanadas, Spanish music, and especially bachata, a Dominican dance style. I’ve grown up knowing more slang words in Spanish than I do in English and have been to more quinceaneras than I have weddings. I have matured in so many unusual ways because of the fortune I had to meet so many diverse people, experience so many unique traditions, and the concession I have given to diversity.
This diversity of culture that I only have a recent appreciation for has driven be to more open to the range of experiences I have taken at Ohio State. With endless opportunities to explore, I try to not restrict myself into one pathway that most of the students in my major take. Currently I am on the Mechanical Engineering track, which can sometimes be very overwhelming and results in many of its students only focusing on a high GPA rather than utilizing all the experiences that a large campus has to offer. So I’ve tried to make my time here as diverse as possible by getting a minor, becoming an International Affairs Scholar, taking classes even if they are not within my requirements, and participating in many extracurricular activities such as Habitat for Humanity, Greek Life, Engineers without Borders, and assistant teaching in the College of Engineering. I am so lucky to be a part of a place where I am not restricted in what I do because of a lack of resources because there is almost everything available at my fingertips.
One place I haven’t been able to explore as much as I would like to yet at Ohio State is my artistic endeavors. In high school, honors students actually had no art requirement. I do have to take one art class for my major but unfortunately I have already completed it through AP Art. Additionally because of my heavy course load, it can be very difficult to fit art classes. I have been continually searching of ways to still express my creatively such as entering the EED Creative Arts and Writing Competition last year but I really want something more. Art has always been a great way for me to release stress and also work different parts of my brain and hand-eye focus that I don’t usually use in class and I have missed it far too much.
So this fall, I created my own company, Game Day Way. This started simply from me making fun costume-like shirts for football games but progressed to me crafting all of my friends’ outfits as well. I started these projects because I loved to make them, found it to be a good de-stressor, and also felt like it was something I was talented at. Eventually, I invested in a solid amount of materials put up some of my clothes online and for a small company, it went pretty well.
All in all, I feel very confident in the work I have done so far, in and out of the classroom. I look forward to my future at Ohio State and to what I will accomplish beyond it.
This year I went to Philadelphia for the Society of Women Engineers national conference. This is the largest women’s conference for STEM related fields and brings collegiate and professionals around the country together. They have workshops, service learning for elementary students, a career fair, and so much more, I was able to learn so much from my first one alone.
GOALS