STEP Signature Project Post-Reflection
My STEP Signature Project involved an education abroad experience that allowed myself to be completely immersed in the culture of Corfu, Greece: a unique, culturally rich, and beautiful island that is marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project involved daily class, led by Greek instructors, as well as class excursions to mainland Greece in Dodona, Vergina, Ioannina, and Athens.
While completing my project several of my views and assumptions regarding the world have transformed. During our class time, I was opened to the different views that other nations have on the history of our world, from Ancient Greece to the Roman Empire to Renaissance and finally to the Enlightenment period. However, although I learned a great deal in my class time, I feel that my most valuable educational experience occurred outside of the classroom. While on excursions to historical sites, walking through museums containing artifacts from centuries ago, and while interacting with the native Greek individuals, I gained a greater appreciation for my own history and for the history of others. Because our trip lasted for four weeks, and was coupled with daily classes, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the culture of Corfu. Unlike any other trip I’ve attended, this experience allowed us to take a past a simple tourist’s visit as we learned, appreciated, and then experienced first-hand.
Several excursions and activities led to me to transform my understanding of myself and my own assumptions. Primarily, the trip to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum was extremely transformative. The connection between learning about Ancient Greece and the importance of the Acropolis and actually seeing the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Nike, and Odeon of Herodes Atticus in person was transformational. I gained such an appreciation for the time, energy, and expense the Ancient Greeks took to create something as breathtaking as the Acropolis.
The Ohio State professors that led this trip as well as the guest lecturers that we had in Corfu made this experience so unique and beneficial. Professor Joyce’s jest for learning led us all to dig deeper in our lectures and ask insightful questions regarding the history of nations. Similarly, having lecturers that are native to and experts of the topic they preset was phenomenal. I gained such an appreciation for the multiple language abilities that every professor possessed.
Likewise, during this trip I made great friends that I never would have known without this education abroad experience. Our large group made excursions, classes, dinners, and even bus rides such an enjoyable experience. Although we all attend The Ohio State University, very few of us knew of each other coming into this trip; however, I can confidently say that I now have 21 new friends. Thus, this trip also broadened my reach of friendships and relationships in this way.
My STEP Signature Project was extremely transformative to my life. I intend to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy where I can pair my passion for young children with my involvement in research, community service, and dedication to working hard. I desire to work within the pediatric or neonatal sectors of Occupational Therapy. There, I hope to become an advocate for children, allowing them to achieve their occupation of playing, learning, and thriving. Thus, I currently act as a Developmental Disability Support Aid for an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a volunteer research assistant at the Nisonger Center beginning my honors thesis project, and a babysitter, all while being a full-time student. Through this STEP Signature Project, I have gained a diverse, worldly perspective, one I could not replicate anywhere else. In order to successfully practice any occupation with children, professionals must immerse themselves in as many diversifying perspectives as possible. The opportunity I had to travel to Corfu, Greece allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, learn about a novel culture, and meet many new people. All of these experiences will be vital in a job working with children, who may come from different families, cultures, and experiences. Thus, this STEP Signature Project widened my perspective, allowing me to see the world through an expanded lens. Likewise, it will allow me to better understand the perspectives of others in my occupation after undergraduate graduation and graduate school.
