G.O.A.L.S.

The University Honors & Scholars Center at The Ohio State University serves high-ability, motivated undergraduate students. While embracing diversity in both ideas and people, the Center fosters purposeful learning communities that enhance students’ academic and social experiences. The Center facilitates impactful, rigorous, and unique opportunities that further student success and involvement in our G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement.

G.O.A.L.S.

I have focused on developing 4 of the G.O.A.L.S. during my time at OSU thus far.

In order to foster my Leadership Development, I have become a mentor for the Community Refugee and Immigration Services. Within this program, I have been paired with a child based on my language skills and the needs of the child, and I meet with her every week throughout the course of a year in order to develop a healthy relationship. Not only has this experience vastly improved my Spanish speaking and comprehension skills, it has also facilitated the creation of a bond between me and my mentee. It is amazing knowing that she looks forward to meeting with me every week and values our conversations as much as I do. It has also helped me value the things that I take for granted in my normal life, such as having all of my family with me in one country, and not being in constant fear of arrest or deportation just because of my ethnicity. CRIS does not provide mentors with any sort of curriculum for mentoring; they encourage mentors to come up with activities and conversation topics that have to fill up around 52 hours over the course of the year. This is not an easy assignment, and it requires more creative thinking and initiative in planning than I originally thought. It has gotten easier throughout the year as I learn my mentee’s interests and dislikes, and have gained a bit of confidence in my leadership ability.

I have also worked to foster Academic Enrichment. I have taken 4 semesters of classes now, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single class I have taken. Enjoyment fosters learning. Not only do the general education courses force you to receive a more robust, comprehensive education, but they give you the chance to take a class outside your major but within the scope of your interests. However, academic enrichment does not solely come from classroom experience. I have learned through the various clubs, such as the Jump Rope Club, and my internship with a political campaign. I have learned by example and hands-on education that was not available to me before my time at The Ohio State University.

Lastly, I have gained Global Awareness. OSU is a diverse place. It teaches classes about the diversity that exists across the world. It holds events to showcase and celebrate diversity. I have benefitted from all of these. Through the International Affairs Scholars Program, I have made friends that I would not have otherwise met, but now tell me stories about their homes in India or Syria. I have taken classes on arabic culture, world literature, terrorism, and anthropology. I have been to events like African Night and the Food Fair that allow students to celebrate their cultures and educate others on their traditions. No, I am not 100 percent globally aware, but I am constantly on the lookout for more educational opportunities (which isn’t hard; they’re everywhere).