For my event of the month I choose to go to the Global Engagement night on Tuesday Jan 8th. It was in the Enarson building, These nights are so fun and Ive been to some in the past. Specifically this was relevant for me recently because I have been gathering all my information on my Maymester abroad this summer and Ive been trying to talk to as many Experts and Advisors as I can to learn how to be prepared to the full. This experience always proves to be productive and helpful and again Ive found that to be the case. I got to talk to Professor Gargus who is my trip leader fo my study abroad and we basically got to chat for a while during the event about not only my trip, but my STEP project and my IA project because they are hand in hand and deal with my trip to Europe. I am always looking for personal experiences and one on one time with professors because I believe there is so much more depth to a conversation and I believe it leaves a lasting impression on them. That is why I love these global engagement nights, Im in Enarson so much anyways, why not go for a night and get free food out of it? They are No brainers!! I highly recommend these to first years as they help so so much to get a feel for the many opportunities there are outside this university and around the world. I am always impressed by the vast diversity in culture and ethnicity here at the University and its always so fun to meet friends from all over the place and have those connections. I got to meet Xio, who lives in China, and is studying abroad here. I got to hear about her experience and everything she’s felt about OSU and more broadly the USA. We got lunch this week and Im hopeful that this friendship will continue and now Ill have a friend that I can go and visit in China. That is what is great about our large University and dedicated IA department at the University for providing nights like these. I always value how seriously our University takes Diversity and the work they do to uphold and enhance it, even more so the work they do to educate students and keep them informed but also provide opportunities to encounter different cultures first hand. That is what I am so hopeful for my study abroad and why I was so excited to work with IA Scholars, I want the opportunity to encounter these cultures first hand, its one thing to sit and listen but another to actually encounter for yourself the many cultures that exist. This event was very informative and incredibly helpful for me to continue to build connections and get more excited and prepared for my study abroad this may. I loved getting the opportunity to talk to Professor Jackie and also to meet my new friend Xio. I would definitely recommend to a first year.