These three pictures represent how I have grown as a student and person in the past year and a half since I’ve been at The Ohio State University. I have developed as an academic student within my major, a traveler within my International Affairs Scholar program, and a leader within my sorority.

My first artifact is a picture of me when I began as a freshman here at OSU. I was an International Studies major and was exploring different classes to figure out my passion and future career path. I took an intro class to Hospitality Management and ended up switching my major to Consumer Sciences Hospitality Management. Being at Ohio State is what helped me feel confident enough to explore various classes and majors within the school, guiding me to choose what I am passionate about. As a student here, many opportunities are available to me in classes, internships, and experiences. Ohio State has helped me grow as a student by showing me what I have to offer as a future career woman and how I can become a better, more well-rounded person. When the time comes for me to graduate and start a career I know being a student here will have prepared me well.

My second artifact is a picture of the group I went with to study abroad in India this past summer. This experience will probably always be a major highlight of my life and undergraduate career. I learned so much about the culture and lifestyle of India and Asia in general, this in turn helped me learn a lot about my own American culture and how it impacts different aspects of my life. Exploring a country so different from my home was so incredibly amazing and I got to share that adventure with my friends and fellow IA peers. Traveling with a new group of people helped me grow more independent because I researched what I wanted to see in each city during my free time so I talked to my friends as well and showed them why we should visit certain places when we can. Having this study abroad experience really helped me grow as a traveler and person because it showed me what I can do with my life and how I can have more amazing adventures if I make it a priority to live life to the fullest.

My third artifact is a picture of the day I joined my sorority, Delta Zeta. DZ has helped me grow tremendously as a woman and leader. I met an entire new group of people who were now considered my sisters and family. Soon after joining Delta Zeta I was given a position on the executive board which is responsible for the chapters decisions, responsibilities, and life within the Greek community of Ohio State. I was given the responsibility of understanding the different aspects of the chapter and how to run a successful sorority. This experience really allowed me to grow as a leader because I was suddenly in charge of a lot of aspects within the chapter and was given the freedom to do what I want with the resources I had. It also showed me to appreciate the leaders in my life because they put in so much work to make things happen and make them successful, which is not easy. I earned a new understanding of different people in my life both in and outside of Delta Zeta.

My fourth artifact represents my time in the She’s the First chapter here at Ohio State. She’s the First is an international organization that raises money to send girls to school in developing countries. The Ohio State chapter sponsors two girls in Uganda and a girl in India, we put on fundraisers throughout the year and any money we raise goes to these girls to pay for their schooling. We also work to raise awareness of women’s issues around the world and educate our peers about why our cause is so important. This past year I worked as the Marketing Director on the executive board and I have been elected next year to work as the Administrative Assistant on the executive board so I am excited to broaden my leadership skills during this time.

My fifth artifact is a picture of me and my brother at an Indiana Pacers basketball game. While I have been to quite a few Indianapolis sporting events, I haven’t always been a big fan of Indy. I only moved to Indianapolis when I started junior year in high school, after only two years I came to Ohio State and was glad to be out of Indiana. As I have continued my time at Ohio State I have learned to appreciate Indiana a lot more as my “home.” I’ve learned that there are a lot of different types of “homes,” Indiana is my home with my family and its where my dog and house are and I love being with them. Ohio is my home where I’ve flourished though. The happiness I’ve found with the people I’ve met in college is something I cannot describe and I am incredibly grateful that I have them in my life, they make Ohio State my home away from home and I know I have a family in both my homes.

My last artifact is a picture of me and my little sister in Delta Zeta. Although I have already described the leadership skills Delta Zeta has given me, it has also taught me how to be a role model. Being a big sister means being there for your little sister and helping her with whatever she needs. It means integrating her into the sorority and showing her what its all about, I am her mentor in DZ and thats a responsibility I don’t take lightly. My little sister has taught me that I have a role in the sorority even when its not a leadership position, new members are still watching me to see what a member of Delta Zeta is and I have begun to take that more seriously.

All of these experiences together have helped me, and continue to help me, develop and grow into a better and more well-rounded student, traveler, and leader. I can only hope to have more experiences that can add to what I’ve already learned.