Mine and Kirsten’s explore Columbus included not only one, but two new things that Kirsten had never done. First, we met up to go to Northstar Cafe in the Short North. I let her know that we would just take the bus down there because it is free and the cafe is located on High Street. She then told me that she had never taken the bus before! This was an adventure in itself! I was glad that I could be with her for her first time on the bus because I know it can seem scary or intimidating, especially if you are not sure of the bus routes or which bus to get on. We were both glad to get on the bus when it came to getting out of the chilly weather and it was smooth sailing from there.

I have heard a lot of good things about Northstar Cafe and thought it would be a great place for us to try. Both me and Kirsten are vegetarians which I discovered that day but was a wonderful coincidence because Northstar is known for its extensive amount of vegetarian and vegan options. We looked at the menu and both decided to get the Thai burrito with tofu. They also have humongous cookies which were really hard to pass up one. We both thought the burrito was delicious and said that we would go back again. The place had a nice ambiance and it was quite cozy. The staff was very friendly too.  It was fun to take Kirsten somewhere that she had never been and have her really enjoy it. 

I think this was a really good way to get to know Kirsten. We are both so busy with school, work, and extracurriculars it can be hard to find time to dedicate to just hanging out. This time we set aside allowed us to put down all the craziness of Ohio State for an hour and enjoy each other’s company– which was awesome because we have a lot in common! We have a similar sense of humor so the time passed quickly and we talked about school, friends, and a bunch of things in between. I think this experience allowed us to become closer friends and will make ACES events more relaxed and fun with her. 

I would definitely recommend Northstar to anyone looking for a bite to eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They have a great breakfast menu that is just as good as the dinner one. You can really make the experience what you want it to be because you order at the counter and then find a seat. You could be quick and take it to go, find a seat for a short lunch, or there are cozy tables in the back where you could hang out and relax without all the busyness of up front. Honestly, the menu is not super cheap, however, all the produce is local and organically sourced so you get what you pay for! I personally do not have a problem with splurging a little when I go out to eat to get high quality, nutritious food. Plus, if you take the COTA, it is free for students so you skip having to pay for parking or gas. This restaurant also makes transitioning to vegetarianism easy and fun because of its diverse and flavorful options. 

I often think that there are not enough options and messaging out there for people to consider eating less meat. However, I learned that if you look for them, Columbus has options for people trying to avoid meat. I think that there is a long way to go with that sort of thing but places like Northstar are setting a positive trend. For someone looking to explore Columbus, I would recommend doing a bit of research first! While it can be really fun to just go out and figure out the plan as you go, that can be a little overwhelming or nerve-racking for some people. For instance, I looked at bus routes before we left and made sure it was close enough that the bus ride wouldn’t be dragged on. I also checked the hours of Northstar to make sure we would not have to rush or they would not be in the process of closing when we arrived. Looking at reviews is also good. I use an app to look up the menu of a place and reviews before I go. While I don’t do this everywhere I go if I have time I like to do it. I think this is an easy way to determine if the food is something that you like or will be able to eat, especially if you have dietary restrictions or are vegan/vegetarian. It can also help you decide if it is a place you want to give money to. If the service or quality of food is bad, then why would you want to support that restaurant? I like supporting local businesses or places with good quality food and great service and reviews can help you figure that out. I would also mention not to let one bad review deter you from going. I’ve worked in food service for a couple of years and sometimes customers come in grumpy and leave mad, or the kitchen might have had an off day and that’s why the food came out slow. We are all human and we should not expect perfection every day. So while reviews are super helpful and I love to utilize them, I try not to let a few bad ones ruin the restaurant– just make sure most of them are positive!

I really enjoyed interviewing Kirsten Zink and felt like a got to know her a lot better. Kirsten decided to go to school to become a dental hygienist because she went to a technical skill high school and is already a dental assistant! She found her passion for dentistry because when she was younger, she had braces. Unlike most kids with braces, Kirsten loved them and looked forward to going to the dentist! When she was in high school, she was at the top of her class and thought that she should follow her natural talent and pursue a career as a dental hygienist. After she graduates, she does not plan on going to graduate school because she will already have two certifications in assisting and hygiene. Although she is very excited about her future career, her dream job is to be an orthodontist: going back to her love for braces! She actually told me, “If I could have braces I would have them again.”

Kirsten has been doing well in school but her most challenging class so far has been chemistry. The issue with chemistry is that the tests are standardized across the department but her teacher is teaching things that are not on the test or is glazing over things that she needs to know for the test. This is a common issue students feel in these types of classes because professors all have a different teaching style. Although she is feeling some difficulty in this class, she has a good grade and goes to office hours often. She has also made some great friends in chemistry and those girls have become her closest OSU friends!

College, as we know, is not all just about hard classes. There is definitely room for fun and involvement too. Kirsten joined the rowing team early in the semester but decided to stop because it is a huge time commitment and was getting to be too much with school and work. I thought this was very mature of her because she clearly knows her limits and does not want to give herself too much stress. Along with being a member of ACES, she is also a Stadium Scholar. Both of these groups have given her many opportunities to serve her community and she has participated in multiple High Street clean ups and Community Commitment. When she goes home on the weekends she also helps with her church’s Sunday school. When she isn’t volunteering she is working at Buffalo Wild Wings as a hostess and really enjoys her job. 

She chose ACES because she wanted to be involved in something that was outside of her career path so she could get a variety of experiences. She is looking forward to being a mentor next year. Something she has learned quickly while being a student at OSU is that time management is very important. She told me that high school was quite easy for her and she did not have to spend too much time studying because she was naturally good at the material. But OSU is clearly not high school and she has had to step up her time studying and doing assignments. She has made this transition very smoothly, however, and is doing great in her classes. 

Before coming to OSU, she expected college to be like the movies, where she would always have her friends around. She thought that there would be more community in residence halls and classes, and she was a bit surprised when there was not. She does like the independence this environment brings though. She likes being able to do her own thing and be able to go make friends in many places. 

I feel much closer to Kirsten now that I have heard so much about her. I’m impressed with her determination and ability to excel in places where she is struggling. I think I can best mentor her by checking in making her chemistry is going well, which I am sure it will be and letting her know of any services that could further help her academically. Another thing I will be sure to do is to let her know of events on campus that foster the sense of community she wants. OSU does a great job of throwing events for students that bring different groups together which I believe she will enjoy. I look forward to talking with her soon!

Questions

• How did you decide on the major you have chosen?
• What has been your most challenging class so far and why?
• What kind of involvement are you interested in on campus?
• Why did you choose ACES?
• What are you most looking forward to in the ACES program?
• What do you plan to do after you graduate?
• Dream job?
• What is one of the most important things you’ve learned at OSU?
• What has surprised you about OSU?

For our first Explore Columbus, Caitlyn and I decided to go to Zen Cha Tea Salon. We chose this place because it had been a spot on Caitlyn’s Columbus bucket list. Plus, we both love tea. We were both excited to go to try teas we have never been able to try before. I personally had never been to a tea salon and was excited to visit one. Zen Cha is in a Short North so naturally we took the COTA to get there. We talked about how much we like taking the bus and we both agree it’s something people should do more. Once we hopped off the bus, we were met with a dog wearing a Halloween costume, and then another, and then another! During our time together, we probably saw 20 dogs wearing costumes. It was definitely a nice surprise.

Once we arrived at the tea salon, I think we were both a little overwhelmed with the amount of tea they offered. I was shocked at the number of teas had— there had to be at least 100 different kinds. Zen Cha offered tea from all over the world and in many varieties that I didn’t know existed. We both ended up getting a red tea from Africa. The tea was delicious and we both had a few cups of it. The place was decorated with different types of tea sets from different times and places around the world, and we both liked looking at how intricate they were. When we arrived we didn’t know they served food but they had a pretty extensive menu. We both said we would be back, but if I were to go again, I would make sure I didn’t eat before going. It’s a nice place because of its convenient location on High Street and the fact it offers so many things. You could go there many times and get something new every trip. It also was not very expensive. I think we both spent around $5 and that got you a few cups of tea, so a student on a budget could afford this— especially since it is right on the bus line which OSU students get for free!

This was a really great way for me and Caitlyn to get to know each other better. It was fun to explore the city with her and I will always remember that we went there together. I really enjoyed hearing more about Caitlyn outside of ACES events and the interview. We talked a lot about her hometown versus mine. We both had very different experiences growing up as she was from a rural area and I am from Cleveland. It was interesting to be able to compare and contrast where we grew up. Being at OSU, I don’t really get to learn a lot about where my friends and peers lived before they came to school so that was very beneficial. I think this experience helped me and Caitlyn bond more as an ACES pair. 

Something I like about Columbus (and the general OSU/ Short North/ Clintonville area) is how much diversity you can experience in a very short distance. On the way to the Zen Cha you pass restaurants from every ethnicity and as I mentioned, the tea shop itself had tea from anywhere you could imagine. I learned that Columbus is an incredibly diverse place. Learning about a new city or trying something new can be scary! But it is made easier when you do it with a friend. It is important to try new things in a new place so you can make it your home. It is likely you will not enjoy everything or love every experience but there is value in that. Along the way, you are sure to find things, places, and people you like to be with and that is really how you get to know a new city! For someone else looking to explore Columbus, I would first recommend taking the bus! City transport is a great, environmentally friendly way to see a city. I think a lot of people are afraid to take the bus and there is definitely a stigma surrounding the bus, but the bus is great if you give it a chance! Plus, the bus system won’t improve if you don’t ride it. Secondly, I would recommend trying to go to a place you wouldn’t normally go, because that is what exploring is all about (and it’s more fun if you do). Plus, you could find something you really like and you could introduce your friends to it. Overall, I had a great time exploring the city with Caitlyn and trying something new!

Like many students, Caitlyn did not know right away what she wanted to do. In highschool, she had thought she would become a detective and be able to serve the public and do good for the world that way. However, she had a life changing experience when she was a 4H counselor one summer and worked with many underprivileged children. Instantly, she knew she needed to go into a career where she would be able to work with children and have a positive impact on a generation. Many of the children she worked with did not have much parental support and she wanted to be someone who could show those kids that they could do anything. She wanted to be a force for good in these children’s lives that allowed for personal growth. 

Caitlyn has already done a great job of getting involved on campus. She is part of the organization Smiles with Styles, where we goes to places like the Ronald McDonald house and gives women makeovers and brings toys for the kids. She’s also found another group called Recipe for Good. With this student group, she helps prepare and serve a meal for various nonprofit centers around Columbus. One that stood out to her was Huckleberry House, which is a youth crisis center. This made a lot of sense to me as she is passionate about working with children. 

ACES stood out to Caitlyn because she really liked the service aspect of it. She wanted to use her time to help others and make her community a better place and felt this program was an excellent way to be able to do that. She was originally looking at Mount Scholars but with her passion for education and service, ACES was home for her. She is excited to be a mentor next year and thinks mentorship is a really great aspect of ACES. Interacting with a younger ACE and being able to give advice and insight about OSU is something she is really looking forward to. 

Caitlyn told me about a dream she has for herself after she graduates. One day, she hopes to open up a ranch in a rural area and provide educational/day care services for underprivileged children. We both agree that time outdoors is vital to positive development and she wants children in struggling homes to be able to have experience in nature. She also hopes to work to improve common core. She dislikes common core because of its rigidity and says that education and children are always changing so the curriculum should be allowed to have some fluidity. Her dream job, although, is to be the President of the United States— because she would have a lot of power to do good!

Something that surprised her about OSU was the amount of diversity. Coming from a small, rural town, the residents there were predominantly white. There also was not a lot of sexual or gender diversity, meaning most of the people where she was from identified as cisgender and straight. She has loved seeing and being a part of this diversity and it is amazing to her than there is so much diversity in our small fraction of the world!

The thing that stood out to me about Caitlyn was how open and compassionate she is. She has no problem letting people into her life and is very warm to the people around her. This makes me think she is going to be a great educator. Her compassion is clear in how she talks about her experience with children and the underprivileged. I also learned that she loves service, which is an important part of being in ACES but also an important part of being a part of a community, wherever that may be. Throughout the year, I plan on using what I learned about Caitlyn to help benefit her experience here at OSU. I’ll keep my eye out for service opportunities involving children that she might be interested in. I also mentioned Ohio State’s undergraduate student government since she has an interest in government. OSU also has many events showing off the diversity of our campus such as Taste of OSU in February, which I will be sure to let her know about. I will also make sure to check in with her and make sure she is doing well. She is very motivated and has gotten very involved but sometimes things can become overwhelming, and I want to make sure she knows ways to destress and take care of herself. This was a wonderful experience getting to know Caitlyn more and I look forward to learning even more!

Questions

• How did you decide on the major you have chosen?
• What has been your most challenging class so far and why?
• What kind of involvement are you interested in on campus?
• Why did you choose ACES?
• What are you most looking forward to in the ACES program?
• What do you plan to do after you graduate?
• Dream job?
• What is one of the most important things you’ve learned at OSU?
• What has surprised you about OSU?