Year in Review

A Year in Review: Exploring Interests

This year I was grateful for the opportunity to explore a large range of interests at The Ohio State University. I have highlighted different categories.

  • Global and Community Awareness:
    • She Has a Name: I was able to attend a three-week training session focusing on the needs of human trafficking survivors, how to work with survivors, and also how to help with this complex issue.
    • International Affairs Scholars Program: I attended a variety of cultural and global awareness events throughout the year. I am excited to participate on the Leadership Council next year as an event planner.
  • Service and Volunteering:
    • Student-Alumni Council: I was able to volunteer at a variety of campus events aimed to enrich current students and continually connect Alumni to OSU. I am excited to hold a program coordinator position next year and be in charge of New Member Retreat.
    • BuckeyeThon: This winter I raised over $600 for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and participated in the 24-hour dance marathon. I was able to speak to childhood cancer survivors and their families while also bringing awareness to the issue to members of the community.
    • Block O: I volunteered before home football games to set up the OSU stadium and promoted school spirit.
    • A Day in the Life of a Buckeye: I was a tour guide to an inner city Columbus high school student this spring. I was able to encourage and emphasize the importance of receiving a higher education and show her campus.
  • Social Organizations:
    • Swing Dancing Club: This year I tried something new and learned to swing dance at weekly meetings through both semesters.
    • Reallife (CRU at OSU): I attended weekly worship with Reallife throughout the year and was a member of the Freshman Leadership Team.
    • CHAARG: First semester I participated in the women’s workout club working to promote women’s health and exercise.

I am very grateful for an incredible Freshman year the OSU. I was able to participate and explore so many different opportunities and organizations. Moving into next year, I have narrowed down my passions and am excited to focus on those things. This past year I participated in many things in order to determine my interests. Next year I will participate in fewer organizations while focusing on those I am most passionate about.

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 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.]

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 information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

A Day in the Life of a Buckeye

Spring of 2017 I had the opportunity to host a student at OSU. The program allows for an inner city high school student to be matched with a current OSU student to promote the importance of a college education. Most high school students participating in A Day in the Life of a Buckeye come from areas where college is not valued or considered an affordable option. I was Emai’s host for the day and was able to show her what an average day as a college student looks like. I took her to my class for the morning then to my Calc TA’s office hours. Later in the day I was able to show her my dorm, different places to study, the recreation center, dining halls, and all around campus. I was also able to show her habits that have made me successful so far in college even at such a large university.

Emai and I were able to explore the Wexner Center while on campus.

Because I only had one class that day we were able to spend the six hours discussing questions and concerns as we toured campus. Emai is ranked fourth in her sophomore class and her school and interested in pursuing a medical career. I was excited to answer her questions about getting into college and the rigor of the courses. I enjoyed sharing with her the lessons I have learned throughout my year that were helpful or had me develop better learning strategies.

I really enjoyed spending time with Emai and promoting the benefits of going to college. It was fun to see her enthusiasm for wanting to pursue higher education and her motivation to do well. Having this incredible opportunity to go to school at OSU will further my career possibilities in a positive manner. It was exciting to share the benefits of college with her and I hope to stay in touch to see all Emai achieves.


International Affairs Trip to Toronto

Fall break of 2016 my scholars group studied abroad in Toronto, Canada. While we were in the city we had the opportunity to visit the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre. In the Aga Khan Museum we went on a tour and learned of the history of the Islamic culture and its influence on the world. I was fascinated by the multitude of artifacts which represented the culture’s position in advancing both the medical and scientific realms.

 

Prayer Hall

Prayer Hall

During the tour of the Ismaili Centre I learned about the Muslim religion and the important core values. I was excited to learn about the similarities in the foundations of Christianity (my religion) and Islam. It was also interesting to see how the Centre was implementing practices to enhance their surrounding city as a community as well as spiritually and intellectually. This experience expanded my horizons by not only teaching me more about Islam, but also helping me realize that I knew so little about the religion. After touring the museum and cultural centre I feel motivated to research more about this religion and culture so I may more fully understand the lives of those around me.

About Me

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oMy career and professional interests are still forming. Being in the exploration major, I am still determining how to best funnel my interests and talents into a career. I am passionate about helping others and travel so I see myself having a job that satisfies those interests. As someone who loves to learn, I am an active participant in the classroom. I see myself choosing a job that requires learning new skills and information as a way to continually learn even when I finish my schooling.  

o I am from Granville, Ohio. My home is the small town community where people have known and loved each other their whole lives. My community is a group of adults and children who have helped to nurture me by coming alongside me during the challenges of life. The strongest community I am a member of is my church and my neighborhood where I have lived the last thirteen years. Serving through my church has taught  the importance of helping others and sharing my gifts with others. I have learned from this community that I also have the ability to help others regardless of my age or how much money I may have to give to others. I have learned that my hands and lending my heart can be very powerful. 
oAt The Ohio State University I am very excited to learn and to learn how to learn. I think in college learning how to develop skills like adapting to new technologies and learning to hear as well as respect people’s ideas better are just as valuable as the things I am being quizzed on in my classrooms. At OSU, I want to meet people who have come from different backgrounds and have different world-views. I chose IA scholars because I knew I would be in a diverse community of people also interested in being open to new ideas and new cultures. At my time in college, I want to travel to new places and learn how people’s cultures influence how they see the world. I believe IA scholars will provide an excellent foundation on how to interpret international experiences through an unbiased lens and learn to understand this situations through the perspective of a native. I am excited to be a member of the International Affairs community and get to expand my worldview.