Global Awareness: I believe having an understanding of the world is crucial to becoming a well-rounded person and a good global citizen. Since I am a French major, I would like to study abroad in France for a month or so over the summer, or possibly teach English in France for a year after graduation. I have also taken many different classes about different cultures and ideas around the world, and plan to take more. To me, visiting different places and studying other cultures that are different from one’s own makes one more tolerant of other perspectives and helps in interpersonal relationships as well, which is something we should all strive toward.
Original Inquiry: Asking questions and challenging oneself with difficult work is a great way to develop one’s skills. To work towards the goal of Original Inquiry, I have taken several courses in which I have conducted Linguistic experiments and presented my findings to a class. I plan on taking a Linguistics research course, and possibly continuing with research from there. I have also taken multiple high-level and graduate-level courses and plan on taking more before I graduate.
Academic Enrichment: I have always been fascinated by language and its workings. Going into college, I knew that that was what I wanted to study. Since my first year, I have tried to take courses that are both challenging and interesting to me. Through these courses, I have learned a lot about how to manage time and perform well academically, among other things. I think that the classes I have taken here have not only taught me information that I need to know for a future in Linguistics and French, but also how to constantly challenge and improve myself.
Leadership Development: It is important for everyone to work towards having leadership qualities. Last summer, I worked at MARS Petcare as a factory worker where I did various jobs around the factory and even helped train new temporary workers near the end of my time there. I also plan on getting a Linguistics internship to help me learn more about my desired field. In addition, I would like to get another job or two while I am a student. These things have helped and will help me to work better with people and take initiative when it is needed by giving me real-world experience, and I look forward to getting more experience in the future to help me be a better leader.
Service Engagement: Giving back to those in need not only feels good, but provides services and help to people who otherwise would not receive it. While in college, I have volunteered several times at my local food pantry where we give food to families in need and help them carry it to their cars. In the future, I would also like to volunteer at a dog shelter to help care for dogs and get them into loving homes. The skills I learn from service opportunities like these will not only help me work better with people, but also help me be more compassionate and empathetic to people (and animals) who are in different situations than me.