1. My STEP Signature Project was an academic summer program abroad that took place in the city Aix-en-Provence in the south of France. There, I took two french intensive courses, while immersing myself in the Aixois language, culture, and landscape.

2. While abroad, my world view change monumentally. Because I was studying in the south, very close to Marseille and the Mediterranean, there was a large Maghrébin (North African) influence on the culture. This influence was distinctly different than when I had visited France previously for a vacation in high school. Then, my experiences of French culture were based largely on the touristic nature of my trip. As such, the influence on and the importance of African culture and Arab culture on French culture as a whole was largely lost on me.

However, during my time abroad, Aix’s proximity to Marseille, and by extension its proximity to Maghrébin culture really opened my eyes to the complexity of French culture and identity. Knowing that the future of French language rests in Africa—as majority of french speaking people reside in Africa—and understanding that French culture is not just white, Catholic, Parisian culture are two very different things. All in all, this study abroad program broadened my understanding of the global nature of French identity.

3. The most obvious, and frequent, instance exemplifying the influence that Maghrébin culture has on Aixois culture, is the language itself as it is used in the city. While Aixois is technically an old language native to the city, it is not actually the dialect I am currently referring to. In actuality, I am referencing the frequent interpolations of Arabic words into the spoken, and even sometimes written, French there. Due to such a large Arabic speaking population nearby, and even within the city of Aix, the language is frequently adapted to include Arabic words, phrases, and even slang. These modifications to the prim, proper academic French to which “academicians” (i.e. the Supreme Court for academic French language) consider true French highlight the malleability and complexity of the French identity.

French, in my experience, is often taught through a colonialist lens, in the sense that France and other European Francophone countries are considered “true” French, and the other, global Francophone countries (once colonized by the imperial France) are lesser derivatives of the original, “true” culture. Now, no one teacher I have had has been bold enough to outright say this, but the implication is there. The evidentiary support can be found in how majority of classes, even if they touch on Francophone countries outside of France, spend 80-90% of the curriculum focusing on the white, Catholic, Parisian image of French culture.

As such, I had a false understanding of what French culture actually was before studying abroad—an incomplete picture if you will. However, it was impossible to minimize the necessity of Maghrébin culture in the fabric of Southern French identity upon my arrival. It was not just the Maghrébin families using this modified language, but everyone: my host family and later myself included. This cross cultural mixing was not just limited to language, but extended to cuisine as well. As France’s gastronomy is often regarded as its most identifiable and celebrated identifier (and as major point of national pride), the mixing of traditional French gastronomy and Maghrébin gastronomy was another undeniable indicator of the reality of a varied and complex French culture.

4. Coming home better understanding the variable nature of French identity will undoubtably help me in my future academic, professional, and personal endeavors. Academically, this nuanced understanding will help me recontextualize the lessons taught to me about French language and culture so as to avoid viewing French culture through a colonialist lens. Professionally, my increased exposure to the Maghrébin dialect will help me better understand future peers, colleagues, and acquaintances as I hope to work abroad after completing my undergraduate program. Finally, I know my new exposure to varied French will help me ameliorate my skills as I continue to pursue fluency throughout my academic and professional career.

Me (middle) and my friends at the Eiffel Tower.

The Marseille skyline from the Palais Longchamp.

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

My STEP Signature Project was a month-long study abroad in London, England. It took place in the month of July, and I studied British Media through the American Institute of Foreign Study. During this month, the course I took involved tours of some of the most influential aspects of British Media, including a tour of Westminster, Downing Street, Fleet Street, and more. During this time, I learned about how British Media operates, and its differences and similarities to American media. 

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

Before studying abroad, I had never taken a trip, or traveled anywhere far by myself. In the past, trips I had taken were always with my family or close friends. As a result of traveling by myself, I had to learn to problem solve independently, and learn how to spend time by myself. During this month, there were multiple issues that I had come across. These were things such as flights getting canceled, being stuck on public transportation, and feeling homesick. By being myself, I now know that I can handle these situations, and can feel confident in my abilities to problem solve. Studying abroad made me more confident in myself and my place in the world. During the program, I felt as if I had a home away from my school and my family. As a young college student who didn’t move far from college, it was very rewarding to understand that I can fit into different places, and find a community that is positive and accepting away from what I’ve known my whole life. I also discovered a passion for learning about the different cultures that I was interacting with, which led me to what I want to pursue after graduating from undergrad, which is to study international development and relations at a graduate program abroad.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and howdid those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

From discovering a passion I had, I was able to feel more fulfilled. I discovered this passion in a multitude of ways. One way of discovery came from finding fulfillment interactingwith those who were from England, and being able to see the ways in which other people live, and how history has influenced development around the world. Talking to people who grew up in a different continent, country, or culture allowed me to expand the way in which I saw the world. One night, I was talking to a group of British students. They were going to university in London, and started talking about the way education works. It changed my perspective because even though I was talking to students who were studying the same things I study, like Economics and Communications. Their journeys to get to university were so different, and compared to mine seemed more difficult. It put my education into perspective, and the fact that I am grateful to be at Ohio State.

Another thing that led to my changing perspective was the fact that London has a rich history. Being a very old city, it had so much to offer in terms of culture and history. I was able to explore this history through going to some of the many museums London offers, from Natural History to Post-Impressionism. I visited the British Museum, and felt taken by the vast amount of items they had there, many stolen from cultures that the British colonized. I was able to see so many different artifacts from the past, such as log books from voyages to the America’s in the 15th century, to teapots from South Asia. Seeing all of these items together in one place puts the history of the English in perspective, and made me think more about the way in which the United Kingdom has shaped the world.

The last thing that led to my transformation was the program itself. I was with 16 other students from the United States, all from different colleges from the East Coast to the West Coast. Being put in a situation where I didn’t know anyone, and I was in a strange place helped me overcome certain social anxieties. Before leaving for the program, I had never been anywhere truly by myself. I had never moved in my youth, and went to Ohio State where many of my high school friends attended as well. In London, I was able to interact with people from all over, and form friendships and bonds that will last for a long time. It made me more confident of my abilities to talk to people I didn’t know prior, and to connect with them on a multitude of levels. This confidence will help me grow as an adult and as a professional, as I will be required to talk and make connections and network with many new, unknown people.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

This change and transformation is extremely valuable to my life. As  mentioned before, studying abroad allowed me to unlock passions, and that passion led to a desire to study further in the United Kingdom. Prior to going, I knew I had wanted to pursue education further. I had not known the subject that I wanted to pursue, or where. Since coming back, I have found those answers. This has impacted my further plans, and given me more clarity. It’s also a large development in my professional goals, since I have narrowed down what I want to study. I hope that by experiencing my study abroad, I am able to put my passions into a plan, and better my future going forward. 

My STEP Signature Project was participation in a study abroad project in Seoul, South Korea. The program was called the Korea University Summer Program, and was six weeks in duration led by the Education Abroad Network. Throughout the program, I participated in courses at Korea University and attended cultural excursions.

Living in Seoul for six weeks expanded my views of the world because it exposed me to a society outside of the United States for a longer period of time and allowed me to further build on my learnings from the period of time when I lived in Shanghai, China. Daily life in Seoul opened my eyes to all the small norms and customs that seem trivial in my daily life in America, but were done completely differently in Seoul. Through the courses I took at Korea University, I was able to learn about Korean history and culture on a deeper level, allowing me to better appreciate the evolution of South Korea.

The courses I took at Korea University were especially important in transforming my perspective of the world. I was enrolled in two courses: Media and Popular Culture in Korea and South-North Korean Relations in Historical Context. These two courses both expanded my world views by giving me the resources to better educate myself in not only the history and culture of South Korea, but also those of other nations. Despite the relatively short history of the Republic Korea, it has a rich culture and history full of both successes and failures. Many countries and people were involved in the evolution of South Korea in the present day. Learning of the historical events that shaped South Korea as a nation gave me a sense of awe because it took great courage for the people to fight for their rights against countries and people more powerful than them. 

In addition to my courses, daily life in Seoul also made me realize how different life in South Korea is compared to America. There were no buttons for pedestrians to press when crossing the street. The convenience stores had all the supplies and equipment needed to make a full meal including instant food, hot water dispensers, ready-to-eat hot foods, and drink pouches to pour into cups of ice. Personal color involves professional help identifying which colors, silhouettes, and finishes suit your natural features best. These are only a few of the things I saw in Seoul for the first time. Although these differences may be small, they made me realize how differently South Korea operates on a large scale compared to America because of how much of an impact these small norms have on daily life and culture. 

Finally, my experience in South Korea would have been incomplete without the people I met during my study abroad program. Most of the students, including me, were completely unfamiliar with Seoul. Navigating the city was a chaotic, but incredibly memorable bonding experience that laid the foundation of memories that will last for years to come. While there was a handful of other students in my program who were also from OSU, the vast majority of students came from other institutions from around the world. As I was getting to know the people I met in the program, I came to learn of their background, experiences, and reasons for coming to Seoul. Although I began my study abroad program with the intention of learning about South Korean history and culture, I also learned about so many other experiences from around the world through the people I met. By the end of the program, I had made friends from around the world including America, Canada, and Singapore. 

The area of my life in which this project has made the most significant impact is my cultural competency. Cultural competency is a skill that a person can always improve at, but never perfect. In the future, I hope to study medicine and help patients. Cultural competency is important for helping patients because it allows medical professionals to better understand how they manage their health. Health-related practices are often rooted in decades, even centuries, of history and culture. To understand the practices that patients are most comfortable with when managing their health can allow for treatment and connections that are more effective and meaningful.

My daily life when attending Oxford summer pre-law program included taking 2 classes which were legal writing and international law classes with some night lectures with special guests. We also did some excursions like visiting the Royal Courts of Justice, the British Museum, etc.

I was the only Asian student in the whole group, I learned a lot of different perspectives on cultures and politics. While sometimes it can be hard to overcome the cultural difference between myself and other students from the US, I gained a lot of confidence and braveness through the process of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I remember it was really hard to engage in the topic at first, I had a new perspective towards cultural shock through this summer experience. I thought I had already overcome cultural shock through attending activities hosted by OSU in the past 2 years as an international student, but this experience was unique. Since I grew up in a completely different environment compared with other American students, I found that even if there were no language barriers, it was still hard to get involved in the topics like entertainment, sports, and celebrities because I had never heard of most of them. Luckily, my friends were nice, as long as I asked them about what was the thing they were talking about, they explained everything patiently. In addition, it was a little bit difficult to keep up with other students at the very beginning, not only because I was not a native speaker but also because it was my first time studying classes relating to Anglo and international legal system. Fortunately, I discussed my difficulties with professors, and they showed their patience and said it was understandable, thus they adjusted some course contents and homework for me. It reminded me of the importance of communication.

My ability to adjust to new cultures, adapt to new environments, time management, team working with others, and inclusive competencies developed a lot through attending this program. When arriving in Oxford for the first time, everything was new and quite different from what was like in the US. I knew I must need to adjust and get used to everything very fast since there wasn’t much time left. So the first week was very tough, I had to constantly push myself to the outside of my comfort zone, and honestly speaking, everyday was exhausting. Interestingly, the weather in the UK was unpredictable and many of us got sick at some point during the program, but we weren’t able to miss any classes and homework. Thus, adapting new environment here also means showing your potential abilities to adjust to something you can’t change.

I knew that Oxford has a lot of social events such as dinners, balls, and orientations, but on the first day, it really stressed me out, I had never attended any formal social events before, thus I was worried about what if I messed up. When we were having the first dinner, it was a long table, and people sat next to each other and face to face as well. I had talked to 3-4 people around me, it was a great challenge for me at the very beginning. Each day, each meal, including mid-day tea time, I talked to different people and learned different views. I think the biggest challenge for me here is this is the most intense socializing period for me in the past of my life. But I found the more I talked, the better I got. I had an intense sense of nervousness when talking to strangers, but after a week, I could feel that sense of fear had decreased a lot. Till now, it has completely disappeared.

Another difficulty that has been bothering me for a long time was overcome by myself during the program as well, which is speaking out loud in classes. Since there were only 20ish people in our classroom and we had many discussion topics that professors signed to us both during and after classes, thus during every class, almost all students got a chance to speak out. Not like taking classes in college, you barely get a chance to talk if you do not raise your hands. Meanwhile, participation point weights a lot in this summer class, even if you do not feel want to share your point of view, but you still want to get a good point, you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to speak out to earn participation points. I used to be scared of sharing my point of view in class, but I was lucky enough to be taught by two professors with a lot of patience, they encouraged me to share my voice and changed my way of thinking to help me overcome the fear, for example: do not ever say:” my answers might be dumb” before sharing your ideas because people might ignore your ideas. Even if you answered wrong, no one would laugh at you. Even if they do, you do not need to care, so do not be afraid of sharing.

In addition, I think my teamwork skills have improved simultaneously. Our last assignment was a treaty negotiation like Model UN, my teammate and I were representing Argentina and we spent a whole day together the day before convention day to split what goals we should achieve and which part of the treaty we should negotiate with other representatives change. We were separated on convention day to discuss different parts of the treaty with other representatives. Awards to both of our efforts, we finally achieved our goals and got a common agreement from other representatives to change several sentences in the treaty for the sake of Argentina’s benefits.

After attending this program, some of my family members said I became more extroverted and more mature because I used to be afraid of speaking in public. In addition, public speaking, interpersonal, and team working skills are the most important skills for a lawyer. It’s not always easy to challenge yourself because we prefer staying in our comfort zone. Like what I told myself, when facing challenges, I will become what I want to be, after solving those difficulties, I should never give up if I still dream.

1. My STEP signature project consisted of working as a psychology intern in Sorrento, Italy. I had the opportunity to complete an internship at Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy with Daphne Iaccarino, the school’s Mindfulness Counselor. Working with Daphne at Sant’Anna Institute, my responsibilities consisted of planning and creating Mindfulness Events, held this summer, as well as helping with the creation of the Sant’Anna Mindfulness Club, first-ever De-Stress Week, and contributing to research on the mind-body connection and its relation to stress and mindfulness. Some events I worked on included hiking, yoga, and learning various aspects of Italian culture, such as making coffee with a moka pot. My work contributed to the advancements of Sant’Anna’s newly instituted well-being hub and promoting the practice of mindfulness to better one’s overall well-being. 

2. Throughout this experience, I was exposed to a different way of addressing mental health. Through mindfulness, an individual focuses their awareness on the present state in a non-judgemental manner. For me, this practice allowed me to fully experience life in Sorrento, and succeeded in minimizing stress and anxiety. I was able to see first-hand the approach to  mental health in a school setting, effectively creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for students studying abroad. I found that this environment allowed students to feel comfortable speaking up and asking for help when they needed it. Mindfulness in itself is a practice that is accessible and innate within each person, therefore, I saw great benefit in using mindfulness as a tool to promote mental wellness and learned a tremendous amount I can take back to Ohio State.

3. As I worked closely with Daphne, I was able to really experience the responsibilities of her role as a Mindfulness Counselor. When discussing ideas, she always asked for my opinion and was open to suggestions I had. I found myself improving communication and confidence in the work environment, and really felt as though she wanted my input. Adjusting to Italian culture and norms regarding the workplace was difficult, as I was used to having a strict schedule of responsibilities. However, this allowed me to advance my creative freedom, and allowed me the opportunity to work and research topics I was particularly interested in.

This experience was not only beneficial but also rewarding as I saw the events I planned come to life. I was able to create relationships with the faculty and staff while learning about life in Sorrento, as well as with those from other parts of the United States. Some of the most fun I had during my abroad experience was having the chance to unwind and relax during De-Stress Events. While studying abroad is typically associated with only the highlights, a lot of the worries and anxieties associated with living in a new country were eased through Sant’Anna’s focus on wellness. I was grateful to have held a part in creating a space where students could focus their attention away from those stressors. 

I went into this experience knowing no one, living in a new country and sharing a small apartment with four complete strangers. However, over the course of five weeks, these strangers became some of my best friends. I truly believe that putting myself into a situation like this was one of the reasons I found it so transformational. I found myself fully integrating into Italian culture with my roommates, as well as developing independence. I had the opportunity to engage with those outside of the Ohio State community and to expand upon my experiences. 

4. This experience has helped reaffirm confidence in myself. I found out how capable I am to adjust to new situations and circumstances all the while advancing my knowledge in a topic I am so passionate about. I am so grateful to have worked hands-on in the field of psychology, especially experiencing  an approach to mental health so different from that in the United States. I am excited to use the skills and knowledge I have learned in the future, and I cannot recommend this experience enough.

My e-portfolio from this experience:

https://norton305.wixsite.com/momentformindfulness

1. My STEP Signature Project was specifically tailored to my career goal of becoming a lawyer, as the Oxford Pre-Law Program through OSU exposed me to a 2-class, 6-credit course load exposing me to the themes of International Law and Legal Writing. These 3-4 daily courses were taught by both OSU Moritz College of Law’s Professor, Katherine Silver Kelly, as well as Oxford University fellow, Tsvetelina Van Benthem. We explored various topics and areas of study such as tort law, criminal law, international law, military AI law, and cultural heritage law, as well as applying CREXAC legal writing framework to specific cases in our additional tutorial sessions led by Oxford DPhil candidates.

2. While participating in my STEP Signature Project I witnessed a personal transformation in two categories: resilience and cultural versatility. Regarding resilience, I witnessed a major transformation in my ability to stay positive and motivated in stressful situations. While traveling there were many variables out of my control such as a heavy program class schedule, transportation strikes in England, and interpersonal relationship challenges when traveling with a group of people. When my peers of many different backgrounds and attitudes came together during times of stress, I noticed that I became action-oriented and a calming presence in these situations. While many situations which earlier would have elicited a fearful and unproductive reaction from me occurred, I suddenly stepped into a leadership role on this trip. Consistently, I would lead the group and when complications arose I was able to maintain a smile on my face and stay positive regarding the situation in order to keep the group morale high. 

Secondly, I witnessed a major change in my adaptability to the various cultures I experienced. In London, I noticed myself being hyper-aware of cultural norms when eating at a restaurant, taking the train, or walking along a busy street. I also recognized and shifted my behavior when visiting other places such as Dublin, where these cultural variances differ. It was important that although I was a tourist, I was able to adapt to these differences in order to be respectful and not stand out as a visitor, putting my safety at risk.

3. The first events that led to the changes mentioned in the previous question, namely resilience, were the lack of communication and clarity surrounding the program schedule. While many of my peers in my group, including myself, were excited to explore the academics of Oxford, I was also looking forward to learning through cultural experiences and travel. Unfortunately, the program schedule was less than apt to allow for such travels, as we had a packed schedule from 8am-8:30pm Monday through Friday. Oftentimes, on free weekend days, an educational field trip would be scheduled. These field trips, while exciting, were communicated poorly if at all to us students, specifically regarding transportation. Often we were left to navigate through the busy streets of London without instruction and fund our own transportation and meals on these school trips.

While extremely grateful, this was not the expectation communicated to us prior to the trip. Many of us were frustrated with this, yet kept a smile on our faces and discussed solutions peacefully with our professors and program instructors. After our initial discussion regarding the issues, some things remained the same. And while our professors did the most they could to accommodate us, we remained in the dark regarding trip and project expectations. The morale of the group at this time was extremely frustrating, with many people upset.

However, I learned to remain grateful and motivated to enjoy the beautiful trip. By doing so I was able to complete extra planning in order to squeeze in experiences that I wanted to have, working through a busy schedule and oftentimes completing assignments in train stations or visiting a cute coffee shop I wanted to try instead of doing it in my room. This will definitely transfer into my resilience for the remainder of my education at Ohio State. It is easy to notice the letdowns, however, the attitude in which you respond to such challenges dictates your ability to enjoy and be grateful for the fruits of seemingly negative situations. In my case, any situation can be much improved with a laugh and a plan for action. 

4. This transformation was extremely significant for my life, especially entering my junior year and gaining far more independence. When issues arise with housemates and disappointments with housing, I am far more likely to respond with action and a plan for increased understanding, rather than letting the situation dictate my emotions and circumstances. In these times I am able to take back control with a positive attitude while being able to connect with an array of different personalities. This prepares me to attack academic stress as well as independent living and personal issues at once, knowing that if done with positivity, understanding, and planning nothing is too hard to be enjoyed. Now I have far less anxiety regarding post-grad living, readjusting to a new environment, and handling law school stressors.

This is a photo of my amazing professors and me at the reception ceremony. These women were extremely inspirational and understanding throughout the trip.

1. For my STEP signature project, I studied French at the Université Laval in Québec City, Canada. I took two French classes while immersing myself in sociocultural activities. I was lucky to experience life in a different country, and to gain new experiences there.
   

   Chateau Frontenac lit up at night.

2. My worldview changed by making me see myself as more independent and capable than I thought that I could be. I learned that I could make connections with my fellow students, take care of myself, and generally live on my own. This was the first time that I lived anywhere outside of the country and the first time that I lived anywhere where English was not the first language. At the beginning of the experience, I was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to do it, but by the end I was proud of What I had achieved.

3. The language barrier created a lot of opportunity for me to exercise independence. I had to figure out a lot of things on my own, or I had to figure out the proper way to ask for help and translate the responses. When I caught a cold while I was in Québec I had to walk to the nearest pharmacy and translate the ingredients in the medicine that I needed.

It was also fascinating to be one of only a few Americans in my classes. I felt like I had a duty to be a good ambassador of my country. My conversations with my classmates made me better at communicating, both in French and in English. This experience allowed me to relate to classmates from other countries and gave me more confident in my ability to forge new connections on my own. My classmates were all so kind, and were very interested in discussing similarities and differences between our communities.

Hiking at Jacques Cartier National Park

The most valuable way that my study abroad made me more independent was simply making things less scary by comparison. I learned that I was able to function independently while living the furthest away from home that I ever have.  I learned that I was able to express myself in another language and another culture while being understood. In comparison, once I got home, I found that doing similar tasks was no longer as intimidating as it once was.

4. This newfound independence will serve me well in my future. I have struggled with anxiety in the past, and while that made this experience very challenging, it was also extremely rewarding. After returning, I have a newfound confidence that will allow me to function better in my chosen field. One of my greatest weaknesses in my development in the field of public affairs was my lack of confidence. After this experience, I will be able to make the decisions and perform the tasks that are required of a good public servant. It is important that I have learned to trust my own best judgment, and how to confidently navigate in a new situation.

(1) My STEP Signature Project was attending OSU’s program studying Pre-Law at the University of Oxford. I, alongside other OSU undergraduate students, lived at St Anne’s College at the University of Oxford in the UK and attended classes, one of which was with a Moritz College of Law professor and another with a member of Oxford’s faculty. We attended classes every weekday, learning about law in the U.S.A. and International Law, as well as attended field trips around Oxford or London that was relevant to our coursework.

(2) This trip taught me a lot about myself and what I want to do in the future after completing my Undergraduate Degree. Coming into this trip, I had a plan to go to law school after completing my undergrad. The program helped me discover that this may not be the path I want to take. In addition, this trip taught me a lot about who I am. I had previously thought I was shy and was very worried about making friends on the trip. However, how the trip is organized made it very easy to form connections with others and I found I was not as introverted as I previously thought.

This program also changed my view and assumptions about the world. Going into this program, I was under the assumption that when I went to the UK, life would be drastically different. I thought that people must live better, freer lives and that, in comparison to the U.S., people must be happier with their government. This was not the case. I realized that there were a lot of similarities between the U.K. and the U.S. and that it is not as different as I previously thought.

(3) A lot of our classes were centered around analyzing laws or treaties and then applying them to scenarios. We worked together to study cases, apply the CREXAC method, and defend our ideas. We practiced with small domestic cases, as well as ones concerning international law. We also visited many sites that have significance to the development of the legal system. On these trips, we often had speakers lecture about their jobs or their personal knowledge of law. For example, we visited the Japanese Embassy and attended a lecture regarding what the embassy focuses on and the operations it conducts. In addition, every weeknight, lectures were offered about various topics regarding international law from various professionals. With this surplus of information regarding law and its various fields, as well as lots of activities that try to replicate what lawyers do, I realized that I might not be as interested in pursuing a law degree as I previously thought I was. I enjoyed the activities and educational experiences of this trip, but now understand it is not something I am interested in doing for the rest of my life.

Going into this trip, I did not fully understand just how much time I would spend with other students from OSU. I figured we would see each other during classes and that would be it. I was very nervous about trying to find a place in such a small group of people. After the first day, this worry disappeared. There were about 20 students in the Pre-Law program. We spent every meal and every class together, as well as usually all explored Oxford together when our class day was over or we had breaks. In fact, most of us even decided to travel together outside of Oxford on the weekends. The structure of the program made it easy to make friends and connections with everyone in the group. I usually find it hard to make friends in groups like that, but I felt that by the end of the trip, I was close with everyone.

While we were kept very busy during the week, we had most weekends completely off, of which allowed us to travel. We would buy train or plane tickets, split a hostile, explore for the whole weekend, and be back Sunday night in time for classes Monday. We traveled to Bath, London, and Dublin. When exploring these cities, I found it interesting to see how different people live and how the cities operate. One thing I found surprising was the number of posters, graffiti, etc., around cities that address political injustice. Specifically, I noticed posters around London and Dublin addressing trans rights. While I realized England and Ireland were not perfect places, information I had previously seen online had made it seem like they do not deal with the same political issues that we deal with in the U.S. I now realize that citizens there are fighting for the same things we are. In addition, I had spoken to an

English person who told us about their personal experience with the wealth inequality in England. Again, I realized before that England was not a perfect place void of problems we had in the U.S., but American media makes it seem like life there is much easier and that citizens do not experience the injustice Americans do. This is a false narrative.

(4) These transformations in my understanding of myself and the world are important, because they allow me to better plan for my future. I know now that I do not want to go to law school, but instead go on to get my master’s in social work. I also now know, after visiting many large cities, that I would prefer to live in a rural area. Furthermore, I know that, while life may be better in a lot of other ways in the UK, people still experience a lot of inequality on the basis of wealth or gender/sexuality. This has altered the way that I view the U.S. in relation to other wealthy nations.