Year in Review- Sophomore year

As I prepare my honors contract, this was an opportunity to reflect on how my activity and view of the G.O.A.L.S. have changed over the past two years.

Global Awareness: Because I have lived my whole life in a small town in West Virginia, diversity, especially on the global scale has been sparing and more difficult to achieve.  One way I am particularly passionate about understanding in the world around me is other countries related to the medical field. This summer, in pursuit of this goal, I am preparing to travel to Tanzania for the month of July to take the course, “HIV in Context”, a study of HIV as a virus, but also to examine the historical and cultural significance of the virus and its effects on the population there. I am fascinated by the variety of such a relationship between the amount of access, development of technology, and societal feelings with regard to the subject. I am also pursuing a minor in Medical Humanities which will allow me to use courses like Ethics in Healthcare and Medical Sociology to explore the medical field on a larger scale.

Original Inquiry: Currently, I am looking into research groups and professors across campus, specifically in the department of chemistry. I have gained much more significant experience through higher level Organic Chemistry labs, and next year will have the opportunity to learn new technique in the Biochemistry lab course. I will also be involved in undergraduate research starting in the fall.

Academic Enrichment: I am pursuing a degree in Biochemistry with an interest in pre-medicine. I hope to go to medical school right after the completion of my undergraduate degree with the intent of becoming a primary care physician.  The courses I chose along with the inclusion of a minor demonstrate my willingness to be challenged. I feel that the courses and GEs I have taken have been appropriately challenging as well as relevant, making me into a more educated student and a better person. I believe it will allow me to support a deeper understanding and appreciation for the health of the human body and its treatment.

Leadership Development: This past year, I had the pleasure of working in the Office of First Year Experience as a Peer Leader. I facilitated orientations as well as maintained support for 250 first-year students. This position taught me a lot about leadership, especially by example, and about the power of peer vice and support. I also was able to act as a tutor for Chemistry 1210 in the fall semester, facilitating an office hour-like time with two other students. I will continue to pursue leadership in areas I am passionate about by pursuing a TA position for the upcoming year.

Service Engagement:Primarily, the best way I have found to become involved in service in the community is through various student organizations. Currently, I work every week at an organization known as the Bridge tutoring Somali elementary students in Math and English. The Bridge works to aid refugees by offering GED classes, citizenship courses and tutoring to students 2nd to 12th grade. I found this opportunity through H2O church on campus and have also engaged in service days at the center cleaning and aiding the volunteer staff. I have also been involved in various community engagement, such as MLK day of service, or a monthly service day through the student ministry, H2O, visiting and volunteering at various organizations serving the Columbus community.

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: Because I have lived my whole life in a small town in West Virginia, diversity, especially on the global scale has been sparing and more difficult to achieve. In my time at Ohio State, I hope to travel to other countries, whether it be through a study abroad, most likely a Global May, or service work through an organization. One way I am particularly passionate about understanding in the world around me is other countries relationship to the medical field. I am fascinated by the variety of such a relationship between amount of access, development of technology, and societal feelings with regard to the subject. Courses such as Microbiology 3704, a study of HIV and its outbreak globally and Sociology of Medicine courses will allow me to learn about these aspects before I am able to see them manifested myself.

Original Inquiry: Currently, I am looking into research groups and professors across campus, specifically in the department of chemistry. I am hoping to learn more about the research options I have in my major’s department as well as look into the medical school for more opportunities. I plan to begin research during my sophomore year, preferably in the fall.

Academic Enrichment: I plan on pursuing a degree in Biochemistry with an interest in pre-medicine. I hope to go to medical school right after completion of my undergraduate degree with the intent of becoming a primary care physician. I also am pursuing two minors, the first known being Medical Humanities, which includes courses in the sociology of medicine, inter-workings of the medical field and its history. My second interest is Cognitive Science, specifically the neurobiological aspects of cognition. These minors and the opportunity to take varied GE courses will allow me to pursue my interest in a way that is atypical of may hard science courses. I believe it will allow me to support a deeper understanding and appreciation for the health of the human body and its treatment.

Leadership Development: As a freshman, It is difficult to assume formal leadership positions as I am still exploring organizations to get involved in. Recently I have become involved with the best food forward bulk buying group on campus and am excited to join a committee to plan events and reach out to campus. I also had the opportunity to become a member in Medlife, which has mainly just led to opportunities to meet and serve others. In addition, I am a part of a church group on campus, H2O which allows me to help at events or help with outreach such as handing out free coffee on the Oval and engage with other students. I also have the intention of becoming a small group leader and leading peers in discussion and helping younger students, freshmen in particular.

Service Engagement:Primarily, the best way I have found to become involved in service in the community is through various student organizations. Currently, I work ever week at an organization known as the Bridge tutoring Somali elementary students in Math and English. The Bridge works to aid refugees by offering GED classes, citizenship courses and tutoring to students 2nd to 12th grade. I found this opportunity through H2O church on campus and have also engaged in service days at the center cleaning and aiding the volunteer staff. I also have the goal of volunteering at a hospital or clinic in the year future. I have applied to various positions with the hopes of beginning volunteering during the upcoming semester.

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

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation is a reflective description of the artifact that attempts to communicate its significance.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

[Your “About Me” is an introduction and should provide insight into who you are as a person and a learner.  This should include a picture of you that is appropriate in a professional/academic context. This information should be continually updated.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio.  Delete these instructions and add your own post.]