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Spring Break: Tips for Traveling Internationally

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My oldest brother, Nate, graduated from West Point and is currently stationed in Vicenza, Italy, so over spring break my family and I made a short trip to see him. I was not only excited to get to see my brother after almost a year, but I was also excited to venture outside of the United States and experience the culture on the other side of the world (and of course eat delicious food, but that goes without saying). The trip would be an amazing break from the stress of school, so what could possibly go wrong? Apparently traveling internationally can throw unexpected curveballs, and I learned more than I expected on my trip.

Tip #1: Always pack an extra set of clothes and toiletries with you in your carry-on bag.

On our way to Venice, we had two layovers: Atlanta and Amsterdam. The layover in Atlanta went smoothly, but the one in Amsterdam did not go as planned. Rumor had it that the flight from Amsterdam to Venice was cancelled, but Delta told us that they were seeing nothing of the sort on their end. Sure enough, when we landed in Amsterdam we were stranded until the next morning. After three hours of yawning, twiddling thumbs, and waiting in long lines we were sent to a nearby hotel with nothing more than our carry-on items. All I had was my bookbag from school containing (you guessed it) books, chargers, and a few snacks. I had no extra clothes, no toiletries, and no makeup. I had been wearing the same clothes for 24 hours already, and to my dismay it appeared that I was going to be in the same dirty clothes for another 24 hours.

Tip #2: Have a plan and do your research about landmarks you want to see or restaurants you want to try.

We finally landed in Venice, and instead of having two days to explore we only had about six hours. We immediately dropped our luggage off at the hostel the airport booked for us and went out into the city. However, we had absolutely no idea what we were going to do while in the city. With no internet, we couldn’t just Google “what to do while in Venice” or “cool things in Venice” and ended up just wandering around the city for a few hours.

Tip #3: Download a translator app that requires no internet onto your phone before departing to another country.

The “touristy” restaurants will often have the menu printed in the native language as well as an English translation, but the authentic restaurants and markets only had menus printed in the native language. This was not an issue for my family since my brother speaks decent Italian, but this could definitely be an obstacle when traveling blind. My dad also had a translator app on his phone which proved to be extremely useful when deciding what to order when Nate was not around.

Tip #4: If you think you’re going to be able to do homework or have the motivation to do homework you’re lying to yourself.

That tip is pretty self-explanatory.

Here’s a list of some other useful tips I learned while traveling internationally

Tip #5: pack light – I lugged my suitcase three miles from the train station to our Airbnb in Florence.

Tip #6: wear comfortable walking shoes – they may ruin your style, but it will be worth it.

Tip #7: always have your passport and boarding pass handy while in the airport.

Tip #8: phones are great for taking photos and capturing memories, but stay present in the moment and be sure to take in the sights around you with your eyes and not through a phone screen.

Tip #9: be sure to bring plenty of the country’s currency and universal outlet adapters with you.

Tip #10: Have fun, relax, and laugh at things that may go terribly wrong.

Columbus To-Do List Part 2

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Along with being an avid coffee and tea drinker, I am also a huge fan of sushi. While my mom was in town, we decided to go to a restaurant called Nida’s Thai on High. I had come across this restaurant while searching for my next place to explore in Columbus and wanted to try it out. The restaurant was small and dimly lit. Bright blue snow-flakes lined the windows. My mom and I were the only ones in the restaurant, but as we dined a few “regulars” came through. The menu had plethora of delicious, Asian dishes to choose from with reasonable prices: spring rolls, soups, curries, stir fries, and of course sushi. While looking over the menu, we decided to order an appetizer of fresh, steamed edamame to share. It was a cold, rainy day outside and the steaming edamame quickly warmed me up. After struggling to decide from the variety of sushi rolls, I settled with ordering my usual Rainbow roll and decided to try one of the vegetarian rolls, while my mom ordered a Negi Hamachi (yellowtail) roll and a standard tuna roll. The service was incredible, our rolls were served promptly, and everything tasted delicious. I plan on visiting Nida’s Thai on High again and hope to explore the delectable options on the menu other than sushi. I would recommend Nida’s Thai to anyone who likes Asian cuisine or is hoping to try a dish for a reasonable price.

Although I have lived close to Columbus my entire life, I am still surprised at how little I have actually explored the city. I have been to many items on the Columbus to-do list such as Jeni’s Ice Cream, the Columbus Museum of Art, the North Market, and Easton Town Center, but Columbus is a huge city that would take years to fully uncover. I have scraped the surface, but I have never explored the depths of what Columbus has to offer. As I stared out the window while driving to Nida’s Thai on High with my mom, I was amazed at all of the local places I did not know existed. There were boutiques, thrift stores, and multiple other restaurants and cafes. My favorite place from my two new experiences is definitely Nida’s Thai on High because I loved the atmosphere and food that the restaurant had to offer. Kafe Kerouac was also a neat experience, but I would rather go to a spacious, modern style café to study while enjoying my coffee. My advice to someone beginning to explore Columbus would be to choose a place of interest, but also keep an open mind about all of the endless possibilities to explore around Columbus.

About Me!

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My name is Elizabeth Ohl, and I am a first year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. I live in a small, rural town – Alexandria – which is about 40 minutes east of Columbus. I have an unconditional love for animals and a passion of living a healthy lifestyle. I am pursing a major in Animal Science, with a possible double major in Human Nutrition. In the future, I plan on going to graduate school to become a veterinarian with a specialty in swine and cattle. I am currently a member of the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Scholars program at OSU. This scholars program will foster my passion of caring for the environment and will help me to flourish as a leader and member of my community.

In high school I was a member of the National Honor Society, the president of Latin Club, a student leader of the Kairos team, and the Vice President of Student Council. I also participated in varsity volleyball, liturgical choir, Drama Club, and Key Club. Outside of school I enjoy painting, playing the piano, lifting weights, helping my peers grow in their faith at youth group, and showing hogs and rabbits for 4-H. I am the Distinguished Young Woman of Ohio for 2018 and won the Fitness Preliminary Award at the national competition in Mobile, AL this summer.

I am extremely excited to be starting this new chapter of my life as a Buckeye, and I cannot wait to explore the opportunities The Ohio State University has to offer! Through exploring these opportunities I hope to broaden my horizon and learn new skills, so that I can become the best version of myself.

Freshman Year in Review

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In my first year at The Ohio State University, I learned more about myself than I ever imagined was possible. Coming to a large university with over 50,000 students from a small Catholic high school with a graduating class of 81 students came with an abundance of eye-opening experiences. Ohio State surrounded me with people of differing cultures, ethnic backgrounds, morals, ethics, and political and religious opinions.

One of the key factors when I searched for colleges in high school was the size. I desired to explore the world around me and knew I did not want to attend a small university. I wanted to attend a larger university that provided me with plenty of opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom to grow, learn, and be entertained. However, the size of Ohio State intimidated me. I worried that Ohio State was going to be too large and that I would easily become lost in the sea of students. I also worried that it would difficult to build close relationships with professors. However, in my classes I learned that professors are not the “big, bad monsters” that are often described in books or depicted in movies. They genuinely care about their students and will lend a helping hand to the students that actively seek for help and guidance.

When I discovered that my largest class first semester was almost twice the size of my entire high school, to say I was intimidated is an understatement. In all of my classes I decided to sit towards the front, and quickly concluded that this was the best way to minimize the distractions of other students as well as show the professor that I was committed to learning in his/her class. I realized that I needed to be my own source of motivation, because professors are not going to constantly remind everyone to work on upcoming assignments and study for upcoming midterms. No one cares whether or not you attend class, but the effort one places into attending classes, actively attempting to learning the material, and putting in practice time outside of class will be reflected in the final grade for the course.

The time spent inside of the classroom only made up a small percentage of each day. The time I spent outside of the classroom allowed me to explore my interests, connect with others, and discover myself. This year I concluded that nothing stands in the way of achieving my goals except myself and sometimes in order to achieve something, I have to take risks. Growth will not be made and lessons will not be learned by staying within my comfort zone. I also learned how to take the initiative, in terms of asking for guidance in the classroom or in making new friends.

My favorite memory of my first year at Ohio State is definitely going to the Arnold Classic. I have gone in previous years with my parents, but this year I went with a girl I constantly saw in the gym and was friends with on social media, but had never actually spoken to in person. We became friends instantly, and had a blast monkeying around (literally) at the Columbus Convention Center eating an abundance of samples of pre-workout, protein shakes, and protein bars. I also had the opportunity to connect with potential fitness sponsors, and I bonded with fellow students at Ohio State that also had a passion for fitness.

Believe it or not, next year I am looking forward to not having to take General Chemistry. I absolutely loved my professor (Dr. Fus is awesome for anyone who needs to take Gen Chem), but I am convinced that the chemistry department genuinely enjoys creating labs and exams designed to make students suffer. Another thing I am looking forward to (surprise!) is not living in Morrill and being able to open my windows to let fresh air into my room. However, I am also looking forward to making new friends while continuing to strengthen the bonds of the friendships I have created thus far.

G.O.A.L.S.

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Columbus To-Do List Part 1:

This semester I decided to explore Columbus by exploring different coffee and tea places. I am an avid coffee and tea drinker, and I love seeing different cafes since each one has its own unique style and feeling to it. My roommates and I decided one weekend to go to a cute café called Kafe Kerouac on High St. This café was unlike any other café I had been to before. It was a brisk day outside and I squinted to see through the intense sunlight. When I stepped into Kafe Kerouac, my eyes were surprised by the dim lighting. Similar to many coffee shops, inside the café was warm, cozy, and quiet, and the menu was written in chalk. However, something was different about Kafe Kerouac. The walls were covered with posters and the bathroom walls were covered in intentional graffiti: messages written in chalk from past customers. Some of the notes were funny, while others were serious. These walls provided a way for people to express their religious or political beliefs, as well as a way for someone to send an encouraging message to a stranger. After exiting the mysterious bathroom, I ordered a mug of my favorite tea and sat down with my roommates at a crowded wooden table. The warmth of the tea flooded my body, and I dreaded going back outside into the cold, windy air. I enjoyed my unique experience at Kafe Kerouac, and I definitely would recommend going there if one wants to deviate from the usual Starbuck’s routine.

Career

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At the age of three I went up to my mother and told her, “I want to be an animal doctor when I grow up.” Even after fifteen years, I have never wavered in my dream of becoming a veterinarian. I grew up on a small farm and have been surrounded by animals my entire life. There is a picture of myself (shown below) after my first communion in a spotless, white dress standing next to a calf. My memories of my youth are dominated by trips to the farm, fishing with my brothers, and spending time outside or in the barn watching the animals.

In order to become a veterinarian, one needs to have an undergraduate degree as well as a doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine. Once completing the education requirements, one must take a test in order to obtain a license. Veterinarians should be patience, kind, attentive to detail, and have excellent communication skills. Veterinarians do not only work with animals: they also work with the owners of their patients. They need to not only be able to identify signs that indicate how an animal is feeling, but also be able to communicate the animal’s situation to the owner.

The Ohio State University has an outstanding, and extremely competitive, program in Veterinary Medicine. OSU also has a variety of resources to prepare me for applying to Veterinary School and make my application stand out amongst others. I am currently a member of the Pre-Vet Club, which has allowed me to become a volunteer at the ICU to gain experience with both veterinarians and animals. This club also provides job, internship, and study abroad opportunities to gain experience and an understanding of veterinary medicine. Since OSU is a research institution, there is also a wide array of research opportunities that welcome undergraduates to gain experience in the research field. I am currently in the process of employment under Dr. Bowman, a veterinarian at OSU, to assist in his research between pigs and influenza A. This will help me gain experience in research, veterinary medicine, and animal-handling and will help begin to build a strong resume. I also attended a career fair at the Ohio Union and spoke with a representative from the College of Veterinary Medicine about the admissions process and what they are looking for in an application.

If I did not become a veterinarian, I would be interested in becoming a personal trainer and/or nutritionist. I value staying physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy through working out, eating healthy, and listening to my body. I would love to be able to give people guidance on how to become the best version of themselves and help them to feel their greatest. OSU has amazing recreational facilities and classes about human nutrition and physical fitness. Minoring in either exercise science or human nutrition would prepare me for this alternate career path if a career in veterinary medicine does not work out.

During my time at OSU, I will continue to search for opportunities and resources that will aid me in building a strong resume and strengthening valued qualities.

Artifacts

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After a busy Monday running to classes and switching my major, I met with my Environmental and Natural Resource (ENR) mentor to chat about life, school, and advice on how to survive college. Mallory is a second-year student at the Ohio State University and gave me tips to aid my success here as a first-year student. She is majoring in pre-nursing and her passion for women’s health has fostered her dream of becoming a mid-wife later on in life. Along with being passionate about women’s health, Mallory loves the environment. She is an ENR scholar and the president of the club Students for a Sustainable Campus, which endeavors to make OSU more environmentally friendly. Although this club is not directly related to her major, she highly recommends joining a club and being in a leadership position. She explained that holding a leadership position has guided her to grow as a person and build skills that are useful in all aspects of life. I am a member of the pre-vet club, and after speaking with Mallory, I hope to hold a leadership position for this club in the future. Mallory also has made great friends through participating in various events that of the ENR scholars’ program and through her other involvements. This year, she is also a member of STEP, and she hopes to use the money from this program for her DOULA certification. Next year, I am planning on being a member of STEP and I hope to acquire grants to help pay for a study abroad or to cover the costs of an internship for my major.

 

Along with telling me about her passions and goals, she also provided insight about how to be successful at The Ohio State University. Chemistry is her hardest major class, and she has found that thoroughly reading the book and working ahead on assignments has helped her to be successful in the classroom. Procrastinating was not good in high school, and it would be even worse in college. Chemistry is also one of my hardest classes, and I have found that reading the book and staying up on assignments has lowered my stress and helps me understand the course material fully. Mallory advised to eliminate any distractions while studying: Netflix, social media, and sometimes even friends. She loves studying in the quiet of the Thompson Library, specifically in the fourth-floor cubicles. Along with being a good student, her biggest piece of advice was to take care of your health. The RPAC is a great place to sweat out any negativity and they provide an abundance of fun, vigorous workout classes to take at all times of day. Upon arriving at OSU, I lift at the RPAC almost every morning of the week. Having my blood pump through my veins and being slick with sweat is an amazing feeling, and after my workout I feel energized and ready to tackle the tasks ahead of me.

 

After talking with Mallory, I realized that there is an abundance of resources at OSU that will aid my success as a student and also throughout my future. I plan on exploring campus this year to find my favorite study spots that will help me to maintain a high GPA throughout my undergraduate education. I hope to participate in the various events my scholars’ program has to offer and make close friends in the process. The resources at OSU are limitless, but I plan on taking advantage of as many as possible throughout my time in college.

About Me

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[Your “About Me” is a brief biographical statement that might include your intended major, your academic interests, your goals, as well as the things that make you unique.  Definitely include a picture! Also, remember that you can always update this post at any point. 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.]