Month: April 2024

STEP Reflection – Callie Thayer

My STEP project was the 2024 spring semester “Scientific Roots in London and Edinburgh” class and its associated week spent abroad. Throughout the semester I attended this global education class, meeting new people and gaining knowledge in the areas of both science and history. Then, during tOSU’s spring break, my classmates and I embarked on a trip across the sea to the United Kingdom, spending ten days on our adventure seeing sites in both England and Scotland. 

Prior to this trip abroad, I had a lot of preconceived notions of individuals from what I viewed as wealthy or privileged backgrounds. Meeting my class of smart, science focused, impressive women and men, I found myself feeling out of place and overwhelmed. Leading up to the trip I was plagued by internal notions of inferiority. It was not only my first time traveling abroad, but also the first time in a long time that I have been surrounded by people who I did not know. As the class progressed I grew closer with some of my peers, working together on group projects and reports, opening my world view up slowly to see these “privileged” peers as equals in many ways. This process was mentally and emotionally challenging for me as I am someone who has faced difficulties adjusting to new social interactions in my youth. This class of peers that I knew I would be living alongside for a week had become an embodiment of my social anxiety, and I was almost too scared to go on the trip abroad with them. 

As the trip’s start date neared, I worked to ease my anxieties and began to look forward in excitement. There were other barriers I had created that kept this excitement from building. Growing up in an unstable financial situation, I knew I would not have as many opportunities in the future or possibly during the trip to partake in many experiences. My world existed in a form of currency that was so set in stone that I had not even taken out British Pounds for the trip, I only knew the USD and how capitalism ran the world around me. Slowly, I realized a lot of the work I have done to get to the place I am today earned me savings, and for once I was allowing myself to spend said savings on less than necessary things, such as a balloon museum in England. There were people around me and my previous choices behind me supporting my decisions that led to a new found sense of freedom abroad as well as upon returning home to Ohio.

 My peers and I were able to go on many excursions as well as attend the classes scheduled events. I found myself slowly beginning to open up to this group of strangers. The small class size was something very important to me. There were eighteen fellow students and two professors. The professors took time to get to know each of us prior to our travels, they informed us of how we would end up all being friends by the end, but I had a hard time believing them. Once abroad, I realized just how right they were. Me and this group of once strangers all became so close and comfortable over the course of the week that I now know I have created lifelong friends and broken down barriers surrounding my own beliefs and judgements passed on other people. The professors also were by our sides when we needed to call on them. There were times when the stress of so many new things at once became overwhelming for me, and I was able to lean on both professors and peers alike to decompress and get back to our next adventure. 

Some key moments from the trip that I will remember for the rest of my life are the day spent in Bath, England as well as the final night spent in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is interesting that these two were such stand outs given they were both of our free days. I used to prefer things to be strictly structured and felt that the option of having a free day in both London and Scotland was too much power. However, these days were well organized by my peers and I as many of us had different preferences for how we’d like to spend our time. We got to choose what we were most interested in and explore that thing in depth. 

My group of now friends chose Bath due to its rich historical connection to Roman bath houses as well as its luxurious modern spa overlooking the beautiful city. The spa was something wildly outside of my normal comfort zone, I had never spent the money to pamper myself in that way before. I stand firmly on my belief that it was entirely worth the money. The night in Scotland resonates the same, this night was not expensive but was rich in memories. I was once again pushing new boundaries as it was a night we had all decided to spend together. The twenty one of us ventured out into Edinburgh where we laughed, loved, and lived to the fullest. It was truly the best experience of my young life. I felt that I was surrounded by a community of supportive, caring individuals and knew that even though I was an ocean away from home, I was safe with this group. I had overcome many of my social anxieties, gotten to see the world, and became a more authentic version of myself, all with the help of the Ohio State University.

This opportunity was incredibly meaningful for me and my life as I am a psychologist who plans to go into social work. As of today, I am a few mere weeks away from completing my undergraduate degree in psychology. Prior to my study abroad course, I was certain that I knew where I wanted to be every step of the way for the rest of my life, now I know life isn’t that easy. Plans are made and they don’t always work out how you had hoped, I have learned to be more giving, patient, and understanding of not only the world around me and those in it, but of myself. I had not realized how debilitating my social fears had become over my three years of rigorous studies. I was put into so many new and exciting situations overseas, and I am so grateful that I got to come home with the people who stood alongside me while I navigated all of those changes. I have rediscovered my passion for helping others, I still plan to go into social work and create positive change for those around me. The difference is that I know now that I will make a difference in the world and that the world is much bigger than I could have ever imagined.

See above: New friends in Cambridge, England

European Equestrian Studies

 

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP signature project. Write 2-3 sentences describing the main activities your STEP signature project entailed. 

For my STEP signature project, I traveled to Germany and the Netherlands to study how the European equine industry differs from the equine industry in the United States. We traveled to a couple of different horse farms, a food manufacturing plant, riding schools, and a horse milkery and learned about the different laws that are set in place for the care and breeding practices that these places have to follow. We then learned how these practices and laws compared to the breeding practices and laws that are set in place in the United States.

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 transformations that took place.

I went into this trip with very little understanding of the equine industry, both in the United States and in Europe. I made the assumption that since they were part of the same overarching industry that they shared the same standards, laws, and practices and believed that there would be very few differences between the two. However, after going on this trip and participating in the class required for it, I learned just how false my assumption was. The equine industry in Europe is extremely different from the industry here in the United States. The main thing that I took away from this trip was that Europe has much stricter laws than the United States have. Every place that we visited and toured made this point very clear to us. They are a lot more structured in their breeding practices and have more laws set in place for welfare of their animals. They also have many more regulations than the United States does in regard to the feed industry. Certain ingredients that we put in feed for our livestock animals are not allowed to be put in the feed for the animals in Europe. Going on this trip really opened my eyes to the differences that occur within similar industries in different parts of the world.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP signature project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in number 2, and how did those affect you? Write 3-4 paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP signature project that led to this change/transformation.

Throughout this study abroad experience, we visited many different places, some that dealt with the equine industry and some that helped us dive into the culture of the two countries that we visited. We visited a couple riding schools, a couple horse farms that served as boarding facilities, a feed manufacturing plant, and a horse milkery. We also visited places dealing with the culture and history of the countries, including the Anne Frank house, the Rijksmuseum, the Kolner zoo, a chocolate factory and museum, the Cologne Cathedral, and two different German castles. Visiting all these places exposed me to how different the United States is from the rest of the world, specifically Europe.

The equine related activities showed me the number of laws that are set in place in order to ensure the welfare of the animal but also to ensure the value of their products. These products ranged from sperm gathered from stallions that will be shipped off for breeding purposes, to horse milk and the products created from it, and to the quality of the food that is being produced at the feed manufacturing plant. In Europe, horses that are used for sport or for breeding purposes aren’t allowed to be given steroids or certain chemicals that we use here in the United States. Horse meat is also a product that is produced for consumption in Europe, and there are many regulations that we learned about regarding this. The one that stood out to me the most was from the feed manufacturing plant. They said that horses who have ever been given any type of medicine are not eligible to enter the food supply chain. This is very different from the United States since animals who have been given medications are allowed to enter the food supply chain if they have been off the medication for a certain amount of time. Learning this, really showed me the stark differences in regulations between the United States and European countries.

The activity that stood out to me the most on the trip was the visit to the horse milkery. When I learned that this is a place that we’d be visiting, I was very interested. I didn’t think that horse milk was something that people drank or even gathered from a horse, and then I thought that maybe it was something specific to Europe. However, after visiting it, I learned that horse milk is a very small industry and isn’t consumed by many people. We got to watch a demonstration of how a horse is milk, and it is done very similarly to how a cow is milk but a lot less is gotten from a horse than a cow. The farm was family owned and they made a variety of products from the milk, including face cream, lotion, and hand soap. This farm showed me that there can be a market for anything, even if it is a foreign concept to me and no matter how niche the product is. 

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write 1-2 paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

As an animal science student, I plan to work with animals but am not sure if that will be companion animals or with larger animals. However, in order to go into this field, it is important that I have a grasp on the many different aspects of what it means to work in the animal science field. Throughout my life, I have gained very little experience with the equine species. Experience that I lacked until I participated in this study abroad experience. The knowledge that I gained about the equine industry in the United States and in Europe has really helped me to expand my knowledge on this topic that I knew very little about. It provided me with opportunities that I otherwise wouldn’t have been shown otherwise, and it has encouraged me to look into the possibility of finding a career within the equine industry.

STEP: Buck-I-SERV Trip to Guatemala

STEP REFLECTION

BUCK-I-SERV TRIP LEADER TO GUATEMALA

LINDSEY LONG

APRIL 2024

Read more about Constru Casa and what we accomplished this week through the OSU REPORT (1)

1.) Through STEP, I had the wonderful experience of co-leading an international service learning experience through the Ohio State University’s Office of Leadership and Community Engagement. In March 2024 I traveled with OSU students and faculty to Antigua, Guatemala for an immersive opportunity through the Buck-I-SERV alternative break experience. Here, I engaged in travel planning, developed strong connections with my team, organized reflections, and immersed myself into a different culture. 

While in Guatemala, I learned about the mission and goals of a local non-profit organization with whom OSU has a longstanding connection with. The Constru Casa non-profit aims to improve the quality of life for Guatemalans living in extreme poverty through the construction of homes and community centers. Further, they ensure sustained communication with the many individual families that they serve utilizing social workers and teams of community educators. I aided in the construction of a three room, one bathroom house for a family of six. I collaborated with organization partners and was able to gain insight into the beautiful and rich Guatemalan culture. This experience allowed me to grow as a strong leader and problem solver. As a trip leader I attended cultural proficiency training sessions and led pre-departure meetings, communicated with program advisors, utilized my Spanish language skills, oversaw students, guided discussions and assisted my trip co-leader. 

2.) When I was young, one of my best friends was adopted from Guatemala. From a young age I learned about Spanish speaking cultures in classes and by attending cultural events. I took the time to read a travel book and bring it with me on my trip. I read the content about the area in which I would be visiting before and after I went on the trip. I found it interesting to compare what I experienced and what I had read about. I can truly say that the book was well written and quite accurate, however it was never going to be the same as what I actually saw and was able to do while traveling and I think that this is the beauty of travel. I was able to see, feel, and live through a different perspective and I am so grateful for the opportunity. I enjoyed so many things about this trip including getting to see all of the beautiful architecture and historical buildings. In particular, people in this region dedicate time and money into the erection and maintenance of areas that relate to religious practices and faith traditions. While this is also evident in the United States, I believe that the extravagance of the religious spaces in comparison to the surrounding architecture is even more stark here. The opportunity to work with the Constru Casa organization gave me insight into the process of nonprofit work in another country. Through the housing project I was able to reflect on the basic necessities that I take for granted such as clean and running water, a bed, walls made of more than variegated steal, and even a floor. I was so happy to not only be offering my labor for a short amount of time but to be contributing to an even larger mission of just absorbing the cultural differences and information in order to become a more culturally proficient and empathetic person. Being able to analyze cultural differences and reflect on my own identities and experiences was powerful. This trip led me to explore many facets of my own life in comparison to learning about a different culture such as family size, traffic conditions, and climate – that I read about often, but I rarely have the opportunity to experience. 

3.) One valuable insight that I gained from the trip was a greater appreciation for water and while taking a Global Epidemiology of Infectious Disease course along with OSU’s “Water Security in the 21st Century” class, I have learned about the importance of sustainable and clean water for now and into the future. While on my trip I had the opportunity to tour a facility called “Ecofiltro”. It is here where they make over 1,100 water filters per day out of two very simple and accessible materials – saw dust and clay. I got to watch the process of the clay being shaped, heated, and compressed into what I would arguably compare to a large plant pot. Inside there is a layer of carbon that naturally forms from the saw dust. Additionally, a liquid silver solution coating is added. The permeable clay filters out the parasites, microbes, and bacteria. The coal layer makes the water “taste better” for those who consume it. These pot filters last 2 years and can filter 1 to 2 liters per day. This factory ships to Africa, Europe and rural Guatemalan areas. The inventor was from Guatemala but intentionally did not patent the product so that more factories and operations could use the design. He had in mind the needs of people in all areas of the world over his personal intentions or economic power. He had the hopes that this would drastically change the way that people consumed water and in turn diminish fatalities especially in Guatemala. 1 in 20 children are known to die from waterborne illnesses and Gastrointestinal diseases such as Cholera, from the poor water quality. An interesting thing that I learned about was the importance of education. Many people in this region think that the water they consume is clean just because it looks clear. They also believe that chronic diarrhea is normal. I found it interesting to learn about this through a public health lens. Without this aspect of education, people do not know the potential benefits of safe water. One person even described using the filters as plant holders because they were convinced it was not helpful. In order to adjust to the filtered water, families must first rinse the filter and then use the first batch to wash food. Over time, their body will adjust to the new water. In this aspect it takes more time and care than I  imagined in order to implement this type of public health resource successfully. This experience gave me a greater appreciation for water in which I am fortunate enough to filter and consume. 

Additionally, I remembered walking down the streets where strangers would politely greet me and others around them in a way that was much different than what I had known. I appreciate the kind gestures presented by the people living in Guatemala. I felt as though the areas that we walked in were quite safe compared to the United States. 

It is common to sell items on the streets to visitors or local shoppers. I enjoyed getting to learn about the various items that the people in the area were selling. A lot of the items and especially the weavings were sold at a very low cost to travelers (the exchange from the U.S dollar to the Guatemalan Quetzal is quite extreme) and were made by hand. I enjoyed getting to learn about the processing of spinning, dying and weaving the fabrics. It was amazing getting to see that process and then getting to participate in the bargain process when purchasing items. I thought it was fascinating getting to see all of the traditional clothing as well and the colorful streets. While the temperature is quite hot, the land is fertile and you can see vegetation in various landscapes. Additionally, color seems to explode from restaurants to corner shops. I loved getting to learn about the rich history of Guatemala and seeing all of the color that is used in their culture from the food to the clothing to the paint on the walls of each house. 

4.) My passion for public health lies in my keen interest in the multifaceted relationships that humans have with their built and natural environments. Additionally, I strive to address the critical issues faced by individuals within various areas by helping to advocate for change. I seek to understand what makes the spaces in which people live, play, and grow in, worthwhile. Understanding how to build healthy and supportive communities is always at the forefront of my mind. Through my love for public health, learning about new cultures, and developing personal interactions with others I saw this experience as a wonderful opportunity to expand my perspective of the world and its people. Not only did this allow me to utilize my knowledge of the Spanish Language that I have developed through my time here at OSU, but it also inherently relates to my professional passions surrounding environmental public health, nonprofit organizations, and community engagement. I plan to pursue a masters program in Public Health through Natural Disaster Management and hope to someday work for an organization dedicated to research, education, outreach, and training for the preparation of natural disasters. This would require being able to assess environmental risk factors as well as community resources and needs in relation to health. With the occurrence of  natural disasters like forest fires or volcanic eruptions, many aspects of health such as access to healthcare, clean water access, infectious disease outbreak, disruption of food supply, along with disruption in job opportunities and education. Being able to travel to different areas and analyze the needs of a community will help me to understand addressing health risks in the future. I plan to travel often in my future. The difference in being able to experience something in real life instead of reading about it offers a chance for greater reflection and opportunity to learn. The site that we worked at was surrounded in several directions by beautiful vistas of rolling hills and volcanoes. I thought about the challenges of the mother in the family having to walk up and down elevated streets a total of four hours every day to take her children to school and even more steps to and from the community water source. I thought about the possibility of a volcanic eruption and what the community’s plan of action would be if an eruption were to occur. I thought about many things, how friendly the people were, how impactful the nonprofit that we worked with was, and how different someone’s life can be based on the environment that they are exposed to. This all relates to an overarching field of study that I call public health. Public health truly relates to many aspects of the human experience whether that transcends national borders or not. This trip was beneficial in providing me with the opportunity to gain appreciation for my culture as well as for the Guatemalan culture. I will never forget this experience and I hope to be able to travel there soon. 

Additionally, I was fortunate to lead this trip with an amazing co-leader. I enjoyed being able to apply my leadership skills to this position and felt as though it was very helpful in terms of my long term goals as a future educator and life-long learner.

Emma Leggett’s Step Signature Project

  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.

For my STEP Signature Project, I went to the United Kingdom, residing specifically in London, from March 8 to March 17th. In this project, we toured many historical sites, such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, learning about the legacies that came from the landmarks. We also studied social change and its connection with leadership, allowing me to develop into a strong leader. I was able to emerge into the culture as well as complete community service, which allowed me to build strong connections with the locals.

  1. 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.

With my STEP Project, I have been able to transform into a whole new person. I have always been a stressful individual, never being able to relax. However, this trip pushed me to live in the moment, and to forget about the past and all of the events going on back home. I tried new foods and new activities that I would never see me doing back in the States. I also gained a sense of independence while abroad. There is no other experience like going out on your own, without family, and exploring what the world had to offer.

Alongside, I overall became more cultured. I grew up in a very rural, small town, where different cultures were very limited. In the United Kingdom, I learned about a whole new side of living, from different styles of driving to different ways of worship. I was able to learn about how minority groups embraced the country and made their new nation a home. Yet, there is one major concept that transformed the world’s view for me, and that would be community service. Although I grew up in a tight-knit community, not everyone is that fortunate. The individuals that I met while abroad overly expressed the sense of community, giving back, and kindness. It seemed as if everyone supported each other, and it gave me hope for what the future could be.

  1. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? =

As for learning to relax, there were several events that occurred while in the United Kingdom that brought this concept to light. While abroad, we had several activities planned per day. It seemed as if we were gone from sun up to sun down. Yet, we were given free time in the evening. Everyone in my group spoke with joy of what they were going to venture to see during night. This inspired me to step away from homework, from social media, and to focus on what is in front of me. I did not waste a single minute while I was in London, as I was too focused on making memories. So much so, that on the first day, I was running on 24 hours of no sleep, and when we arrived at the hotel, many went to take a nap. I, however, wandered the city with my roommate, taking it all in. Being able to explore the city with her pushed me to learn navigation like no other. I was no longer relying on my parents or teachers on what to do next. Instead, I took the bull by the horns and learned myself.

Becoming cultured is one of the most important aspects that I learned while I was abroad. I was able to immerse myself in different cultures, learn of their struggles, and become with them, although I don’t face their struggles head on. For instance, we went to Brixton, England, where many underpaid, African American Britain’s reside. Many of these individuals came from the Caribbean and other nations in the search for a better life. While in Brixton, we toured their local stores, as well as their lower income housing units, seeing their struggles firsthand. Also, we toured Brighton, England, England’s LGBTQ capital. In this area, many members and their allies reside. We learned of early members and their struggles to fit in with the community, while walking up and down the seaside. I was able to understand these minorities better, allowing me to become more open as an individual.

Community has always been an important aspect to me. I know that when I go home from school, I have a support system to return to. However, I learned throughout my collegiate career that that is not the case for everyone. I’ve met several individuals that did not perform any acts of community service throughout their adolescence. While in the U.K, I was able to serve at the Brixton Soup Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that gave back to the community by serving two meals a day, most days of the week. While serving those that entered, I was able to build a connect with the individuals, and able to empathize for them. This was a rather humbling experience and showed me to be grateful for what I have.

  1. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? 

The transformation that the STEP program, and the project I created brought to me is one of the most valuable lessons I have had throughout my life. Firstly, due to exploring a different nation, I was able to gain independence that will help me with not only my academic career, by my professional and person life. I will be able to voice my opinions and take risks because of my nine days abroad. Alongside, learning different cultures has helped me become more of an open-minded individual. It will allow me to lead professional conversations and help me understand all sides of a story that may come up. With working at the Brixton Soup Kitchen, it has inspired me to start a nonprofit organization after graduation and once I am stable within a career. Specifically, I want this organization to assist those with mental health disabilities and allow them to gain a sense of belonging. Finally, and most importantly, this project has taught me the importance of counting my blessings. We are not guaranteed another day on earth. It is up to us to make the most of every day, and to live without regrets. It has taught me to be grateful for the life I was give, as not everyone is blessed. Mostly, it has taught me to not live with hate in my heart, and to lead with love. The world could use some love right now, and my time abroad has given me the hope that positive change can be induced.