(1)For my STEP signature project, I attended the Buck-I-SERV: Once Upon a Time trip in Walland, Tennessee. On this trip, our group learned about conservation efforts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area, sustainability, and the natural environment. We completed projects aimed at preserving the natural environment, mostly through the removal of invasive plant species.

(2) This trip certainly changed my view on the world and our current ways of preserving the natural environment, especially regarding invasive plant species. When people plant their gardens or have landscaping completed on their property, most thought is put into aesthetics. As I saw often on my trip, this can have negative consequences for the environment, as although these plants may be beautiful, they often originate from foreign places and can spread quickly, wiping out native species in the process.

Another point of emphasis during my trip was on how we handle our waste. As global warming continues and landfills grow, it becomes essential for us to do whatever we can to slow these processes. On the property we housed at, we learned about our hosts’ compost system and how they maintain compost piles over time which they eventually use to fertilize their gardens. This helped me realize how important it is to minimize my waste and impact on the environment.

(3) Almost all the service projects I took part in during my project were centered around the removal of invasive plant species. Often, much focus is put on the presence of invasive animal species, but during my project, I quickly came to realize how much plants have been neglected in the conversation. Multiple days of our trip were spent starting in one spot to clear some invasive plants and later looking back to see that we had pulled nearly everything in that area, since almost every one there was invasive. Seeing how these plants multiply and spread has certainly made me more conscious of how prevalent the issue of invasive plants is, and how peoples’ planting choices can harm the environment.

When we were being introduced to the property that we were housed at, our program hosts spent time to teach us about their methods of composting. After each meal during our stay, we would empty our food scraps into a bucket and cover them in sawdust. Later, these scraps would be put into a compost pile to be monitored. Much effort is put into creating an environment with optimal element concentrations and temperatures so that the compost can be turned into a good fertilizer for their gardens. With what I learned on this trip, I can incorporate composting into my daily life.

When we were not completing service projects, much of our time was spent hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although we were not directly helping the environment through volunteering or learning about conservation efforts from local guides, seeing the beauty of the park gave perspective into why this conservation is so important. When you have not directly experienced something for yourself, it is difficult to truly comprehend its importance. Seeing how incredible nature can be when maintained and allowed to flourish shows why it is so important to advocate for it and to take steps in your daily life to help preserve it.

(4) Overall, my experience during my signature project helped me towards my personal goal of being a more conscious and knowledgeable citizen. By seeing how nature is preserved and why it is so important, I can make different decisions in my life to help make my city, state, and country a better place through both my daily activities and even my voting habits. Additionally, I was able to see things at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that I may have never seen otherwise and meet other Ohio State students that I otherwise never would have met. Ultimately, my project allowed me to meet new people and become a more well-rounded person.

For my STEP signature project, I participated in the Buck-I-SERV trip in Nashville, Tennessee with the Medici Project. It was a week-long trip in May where each day of the week we volunteered with two different organizations for about 6 hours a day. Each morning we volunteered with a new organization in Nashville including A Room in the Inn, Second Harvest, Nashville Rescue Mission, Graceworks, and One Generation away. These organizations helped with people experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity. Each afternoon we volunteered at PTM, an after school program for students in grades K-8, where we played games, helped with homework, and built connections with them.

This trip showed me so much about our world and how I can help out my community back at home in similar ways. Volunteering at the 5 different organizations that worked to help people experiencing homelessness/food insecurity showed me how many resources we actually have in our world today to help people in need. There are so many people in our world who have no idea where their next meal is going to come from, but there is also so much food that is wasted everyday. Second Harvest, Nashville Rescue Mission, and Graceworks all were partnered with grocery stores to receive food that was not able to be sold at their stores, but was still perfectly fine to eat. Each of these organizations was able to provide thousands of meals a week for families because of that food not going to waste. If organizations like these were more prevalent and partnered with every grocery store, more and more families across the world could be provided meals at no cost just as these organizations do. 

Seeing how many places in Nashville need volunteers to keep their impacts going, I came back to Columbus wanting to help my community in the same ways I helped people in Nashville. I realized that in 2 hours of my time on this trip we were able to create hundreds of meals for families each day and how I need to start volunteering here at school to make similar impacts as I did in Nashville. I found a place to volunteer called Mid Ohio Food Collective, where they have similar missions to the places that I volunteered in in Nashville.

The most eye opening experiences that I personally had were at A Room in the Inn and Nashville Rescue mission. Before this trip I honestly had no idea that places like these existed. These were both organizations that worked with people experiencing homelessness that not only just helped to give people basic necessities and places to stay, but also helped to get them back on their feet, finding jobs and permanent housing. It was amazing to talk to and listen to the people who worked at these places to see their true dedication to make the lives of other people better. It was truly inspiring.

I was also impacted by Vince, the person who ran the Medici Project. He formed connections with all the places we volunteered and you could just see in his actions how good of a person he was and how he wanted the best for everyone who volunteered at the places he was partnered with. I think that he made our experience as best as it could have possibly been by how informative he was and allowing us to see how to show benevolence to anyone we cross paths with in life. I know that if I ever wanted to open up a non profit or start an organization to help people in the future that he would be there to help me get started and give his best advice.

Overall, each of these places we went had a special impact on me that I will carry with me through the rest of my life, but I think that something I will never forget are the kids and teachers that we met at PTM. The kids adored us so much and in just the short time we were there, we were all able to form bonds with them and see how the little things in life bring joy to so many children. Also, seeing how the teachers formed connections with the children and were so looked up to was an amazing example of impactful people can be on the lives of children. I want to work with kids post-grad, so seeing how impactful these relationships were was really amazing for me to see and made me so excited to be able to impact the lives of children positively in the future.

This change/transformation was so valuable for my life because it solidified my extreme desire to help people when I am older. I have always told everyone that I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I knew I wanted to help people. I was impacted by this trip more than I ever could’ve imagined before going on it and I met people along the way that I will never ever forget. I cannot wait to take the experiences and life-lessons that I received on this trip to help not only better my community but the rest of the world.

The immersion trip I went on was a captivating experience that allowed me to be a kid and become more educated about HIV/AIDs. Montaña de Luz is a program that empowers children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Since this was the first time Buck-I-Serv has worked with Montaña’s program, I really didn’t know what to expect. I came into this trip with an open mind almost expecting everything but nothing at the same time. I didn’t know the severity of HIV in Honduras and how conservative their culture was. I had no idea that so many families were affected by HIV and how discriminative people are toward it as well. We had an HIV workshop that the kids a part of Montaña gave us, and I surprisingly didn’t know the ways that HIV was transmitted.

You see, I didn’t even realize how harsh their healthcare systems were. Having to provide your own bedding when you’re in the midst of being in labor isn’t something I couldn’t even fathom having to worry about. You see, as much as you wish you could prevent the spread of HIV by having a c-section or not breast feeding, 60% of their population doesn’t have jobs and can’t afford proper healthcare. Nor is it given…But we hear and see HIV and think why would we want this to spread? Sometimes it can’t even be helped. With all of these things I learned, it truly impacted the way I perceive HIV/AIDs. Sometimes it can’t be prevented but you have programs such as Montaña that are trying to make change and provide medicine for kids and families so they can live normal lives while their HIV status remains dormant.

Alongside the learning aspect of Honduras culture, we also did service projects that allowed us to do things I didn’t ever think I would do. We learned how to make concrete. Learned the strengths and weaknesses of a language barrier, and also simply being present. The one thing I enjoyed the most about our trip was playing with the kids and feeling like one again. Although these kids don’t have as much resources as I do, they all managed to smile and play and simply be grateful for being alive and well. I was so touched and felt like my childhood self was recognized being able to pay soccer and volleyball and feel included. Having homemade meals that were delicious (or rica as Honduras would say) and dance parties made me so grateful and thankful.

Things worth mentioning that I feel we don’t even think about is their healthcare system. As much as the United States doesn’t have that great of a healthcare system it is a lot better than Honduras. The roads weren’t all paved. They have awful air pollution because they don’t have a trash system so they burn it. But also, I learned one of their main sources of agriculture is sugar cane, but sugar cane only adds to their air pollution. Montaña is a woman led non profit organization that only brings in 400K a year that comes from U.S. donors. In 2003, Honduras first got approved to receive medicine for HIV which was four 10 years after the U.S and all of their medicine even at Montaña comes from the U.S. The kids a part of Montaña are on a very strict scheudle to regulate their shots and HIV status. For a trimester of English classes it is $250 U.S. dollars which is a lot in their currency…But if you do take English classes you have a higher chance at getting a job…Again, all of these things I learned truly changed the way I think about culture as a whole and just the opportunity that I am given…

One of our days was like this..

We woke up and ate breakfast then we went to Capilla. We sang songs with the little kids and we said our prayers holding hands. It was so wholesome and fun to be able to dance with the kids it genuinely made me so happy. I felt so welcomed and free. After that everyone else got up we all got ready for the day and then everyone had their share of breakfast too slowly but surely. We then went to our service site and we found out what we were doing for our projects. We were split in half Carlos told us kind of what to do which again having a language barrier did make it hard to know what we had to do, but we figured it out eventually. One of our trip leaders Anna worked on building the door with Angel. Scarlet and John left with Ronni to get supplies that we need for the draining system we were building and Brad, Lauren and I basically worked on getting all the vines off the fence to prep to take off the gate tomorrow. I raked but the rake was broken but it’s okay it was a good workout. Anna was welding with Angel it was interesting they were translating numbers and measurements too she said she struggled but she found it to be memorable. Divya, Megan, Adrianna, Ella and Madison all worked on making concrete and starting the slab for the foundation of the emergency stove we were building outside. After we finished a decent amount we headed back to Montaña to eat lunch we had lasagna it was so good. We then headed back it was so hot at the site but we worked and finished the fencing and burned all the leaves etc. After we came to a good stopping point and we put all the supplies away. Also we had so many giggles  it was so fun and Sarah (the main leader of Montaña) brought us jello and ice and coke it was so sweet and appreciative everyone enjoyed. We then came back and visited the little shop that Fabiola has and we all bought snacks and drinks. We played volleyball and soccer with the kids which was so much fun! Dinner was so good we had tostones 10/10 best meal yet. After that we ended the night.

This project added so much value to my life and I think I needed the kids more than they needed me. I felt seen, heard, and I never giggled and laughed so much in one week with a group of people I never met prior to this trip. Montaña has such a special place in my heart. We are going to start a club called Club Montaña to fundraise and bring awareness to what they are doing there and try to spread love and joy just like the kids did. I want to continue going on service trips like this because not only did I make a small impact, but this trip made an impact on me. The mountain of light keeps shining!

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 on a Buck-I-SERV trip to Charleston, South Carolina, to serve at Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System provides excellent primary care and specialty health services to more than 75,000 Veterans, trains America’s future health professionals, and conducts crucial medical research. Along with eight other Ohio State students, we transported patients within the hospital, distributed donations, sorted food donations and constructed meal packages, made and distributed coffee around the hospital, and helped with administrative duties.

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.

Volunteering at the VA Medical Affairs Center was a transformational experience because it granted me a new and positive experience in healthcare and has further strengthened my passion for pursuing nursing. I am grateful for this trip because I had the opportunity to care for and serve a community of veterans–a group I have never worked with before. Since this was my first Buck-I-SERV trip alone, I was slightly nervous, didn’t know what to expect, and thought the group dynamic would be awkward.
One assumption I had was that this service learning trip would be similar to volunteering at the hospital where I live, but the VA Medical Affairs Center proved otherwise. All the staff was welcoming, and everyone was so friendly to one another; it felt like the hospital was a family. In addition, our group had the opportunity to observe in the operating room, which diminished my fear of surgeries.

Another assumption I had was that veterans would be hard to talk to since they are a vulnerable population. I was somewhat nervous and unsure of how to converse with them and made sure to be mindful. However, after directly engaging and forming connections with the veterans and their family members, my perspective broadened on the veteran population as I realized they are like us, just wanting to talk and have meaningful conversations. My whole mindset changed as I learned that veterans deserve the same amount, if not more, of care and respect in comparison to other patient populations. I also developed a newfound appreciation and respect for the veteran community as they continue to have positive outlooks on life and the sacrifices they have made in serving our country. Therefore, I believe it’s important that people find a chance to work with veterans sometime in their lives, as it can create awareness and provide an eye-opening experience.

Lastly, after returning from South Carolina, I believe I have gained a new sense of empathy for the veteran community and have unveiled a better understanding of myself. As I engaged with the veterans that week, I realized that I am more outgoing and communicative than I thought, and I will develop more confidence in myself in the future with my career path. Moreover, I have gained more independence and how to better collaborate with a community. The whole mindset change and personal growth are some significant transformations that I have experienced so far at Ohio State, and I hope to continue serving veterans in the near future.

3. 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? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

One relationship that led to the transformations discussed in question 2 was with the volunteer staff: Dwight, Karen, Ms. Kelly, and Ms. Val. On our first day of volunteering, Dwight and Karen welcomed us and were excited to have the extra help since a large influx of donations would be arriving. I also had the pleasure of volunteering alongside Ms. Kelly and Ms. Val in making coffee and handing out donations; I found out that both are veterans, which is commendable. During that week, we learned more about them, their backgrounds, and the work they dedicate to the hospital. I remember Ms. Val said, “Always be kind to people because you never know what they’re going through.” This statement still sticks with me because a simple act of kindness can have an everlasting impact on making a positive difference in someone’s life. In addition, it was a privilege to hear such inspiring life experiences and advice from some veterans, and their encouragement to us in our future careers was heartwarming. Even though we spent a short time together, I can say that we formed strong relationships with Ms. Kelly, Ms. Val, and the veterans. I’m grateful for Ms. Kelly and Ms. Val because their encouragement and overwhelming kindness helped me feel comfortable reaching out to veterans. Overall, our group served 288 hours, and I saw that our service could truly impact a place like the VA as we cared for the veterans and brought smiles to their faces.

Our group also had the opportunity to observe some surgeries in the Operating Room. All the staff welcomed us, and the anesthesiologist was very kind in explaining the process of intubating a patient since I told him this was my first observation. Now, I have gained invaluable experience that the entire surgery process is very meticulous and that the staff are exceptionally trained, so there is nothing I should be worried about. Overall, I’m thankful I had the opportunity to observe my first surgery in a welcoming environment, as it helped diminish my fear of surgeries.

In addition, one of the aspects about me that changed over the trip was the relationships I made with my group members. When attending the pre-trip meetings, I was unsure if I would fit in and wondered if the group dynamic would be awkward. The group dynamic actually somehow clicked, and we grew closer and closer by the end of the trip–thanks to my trip leaders, who really brought the group together. From group dinners, car rides, mafia card games, and sightseeing, to conversations, and from simply volunteering together, we had a lot of fun and enjoyed spending time with one another. I didn’t know any of these people before, but I now have learned to approach life with an open mind, as multiple new experiences and opportunities can open up. By the end of the trip, I was grateful that we were able to form great friendships–something that I never envisioned.

Lastly, volunteering in Charleston taught me a lot about myself: I can communicate well with diverse groups of people, am resilient, and can push myself out of my comfort zone. Volunteering at the VA Medical Affairs Center stressed my weakness of struggling to talk to people I don’t know, but I am glad I challenged myself. Because of this, I was able to form meaningful connections with veterans, the staff, and my group, which I will continue to cherish. Overall, I was blessed to work with wonderful people as we did our best to ensure that the veterans receive the care and support they deserve.

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.

The transformations by volunteering at the VA Medical Affairs Center are significant for my life because they align with my values of compassion, empathy, respect, and caring for others. Not only that, but I have also improved myself personally, and what I have learned will be essential for my future career plans to become a nurse. Pushing myself outside my comfort zone was not easy, but learning new things, gaining more confidence, and forming meaningful connections when talking with the veterans made my trip an unforgettable experience.

Academically, the transformations will be helpful as I will continue to persevere and push myself in my studies. As I reflect on my volunteer experience in South Carolina, compassion and resiliency are some values that are vital in order to accommodate the demands and rigor of the nursing field. Professionally, this trip has enhanced my communication and proactive skills, which are essential in healthcare when conversing with patients and staff. In conclusion, after returning from my trip, I feel more confident in my abilities to initiate conversations with others, whether that be in a hospital or community setting.

First photo is at Mt. Pleasant after alumni dinner.

Second photo is at VA Medical Affairs Center with Mr. Dwight Kress, Program Manager of Voluntary Service.

1. At the Carolina Tiger Rescue sanctuary, we mainly provided assistance with the upkeep of the enclosures as well as helping to build new enclosures. As a team, we used weed-eaters and clippers to clear out the grass and overgrown shrubs in the enclosures. We also laid a new foundation for a raccoon enclosure which involved shoveling dirt and gravel into wheelbarrows and transporting it to the area.
2. I think my biggest assumption that constantly is challenged revolves around not judging a book by its cover meaning to not make assumptions about people or places. My team was very eclectic, and I had some reservations about how well our team would work together during our pre-trip meetings. However, once we actually started the service project, our team quickly bonded and became very close. Under normal circumstances, I do not think I would have randomly become friends with these people, but this opportunity granted me connections that I am now grateful to have. While each member of my team was very unique in their own regards, we all shared a common goal/mission that was greater than ourselves. I think this helped me put into a better perspective of what really matters when it comes to maintaining relationships and who to be friends with.
3. Like I stated above, I initially was concerned about how well this trip would turn out. At our pre-trip meetings, the team didn’t really seem that engaged and seemed hesitant to be themselves. Additionally, I feel like the leadership meetings involved a lot of fearmongering about what could go wrong that didn’t help my anxiety. Our drive to North Carolina was pretty quiet, but no one really had anything to talk about. It wasn’t until we settled in to our lodging and ate dinner together that I started to feel better about our trip. I noticed that everyone was eager to contribute something to meal-planning, shopping for groceries, cooking, or cleaning. I think everyone wanted to show that they were capable of being a valuable team member. This feeling only increased the next day which was our first official work day.
   We were all unsure of what work we would actually be doing, but before then, we got a ~2 hour tour of the sanctuary. This really inspired me because it was concrete evidence of a need that needed to be addressed. We got to see all of the different animals that were living there and heard the backstories of most of them. While on the tour, both me and Adam got covered in fire ants, and I think this was one of my first real bonding moments with a team member. Once we got to the actual work part, we started by clearing out the weeds of a tiger enclosure. Everyone was doing their best, and we worked pretty fast together. Most of our work was like this throughout the week. We were such good workers that the sanctuary seemed to run out of work for us to do.
   Our meals were a big time for bonding because we didn’t have much time to talk while using weed-eaters and mowers. I really looked forwards to socializing at meal times because of this. My team formed a lot of inside jokes, and it seemed like everyone was friends with every other person on the team. I personally feel very satisfied in my relationships I formed. I also really enjoyed hearing what everyone had to say during our reflection times. It was interesting to hear what each person was thinking about during the day, and what were their high and low points. For the most part, everyone had their own unique take on the day’s events, but I believe we all felt similar in some way. This all relates back to not judging a book by its cover because before the trip, I really had no idea what to expect out of this team as everyone seemed to have different background. However, throughout the trip it became very clear that everyone had good intentions and wanted to contribute their own experiences to help build a better team.
4. While this isn’t necessarily a new development in my life, this trip definitely did affect and reinforce my perspectives on my social life. I am someone who only has a few close friends, and this trip honestly helped me out in terms of confidence and social anxiety. I was sure to be myself, and I got along well with everyone as a result. I know it isn’t the healthiest perspective, but I feel like some of my self-worth comes from others’ perspectives on me. Since this trip ended up being so successful and the fact that we all grew pretty close, I felt very satisfied and a bit melancholic once the trip was over. Also, as a leader I felt that I was very much responsible for whatever the outcome would have been, so I am glad that nothing bad happened as I would have felt responsible even if it wasn’t my fault. I feel like this whole experience is a concrete example of my value as a leader and even just a student at OSU. I really felt like I contributed something value to not just the service site, but to my team as well; I know I am very grateful for the effort and sincerity of my team. Personally, I am very proud of myself for going on this trip as a leader, and I honestly am considering going on another trip because of how great this one was.

1. My STEP project was used to fund my Buck-I-SERV trip to Guatemala through the Constru Casa service program. This trip focused on providing houses to families in Guatemala who were experiencing housing insecurity. Through collaboration with local masons, we were able to erect a new, permanent home for the local family in just under a week.
2. My view of the world was challenged immensely on this trip. I have participated in several service-learning trips through Buck I SERV, and this one had perhaps the most staggering cultural shock that I have experienced. I was not aware of the sheer difference present in the culture, values, and history of Latin America compared to my current understanding of the United States. Perhaps the most unexpected was the devout Roman Catholic population in Guatemala, and their weekly tradition of Sunday Catholic masses. We observed what appeared to be almost the entire town gather for an entire day of celebration and worship–something absent in my local understanding of organized religion. It is inspiring to see large groups of individuals so dedicated and focused on their faith. I even had the chance to visit a local church and saw the amazing condition of the inner sanctum. All in all, this experience sticks out in my mind.
3. We engaged in a number of activities that made this experience special. First, we performed service nearly every day of the trip that allowed me to learn how to mix concrete, speak poor, small amounts of Spanish, and interact on a small level with the family we were serving. We did primarily manual labor, but the experience was gratifying because we had a goal and purpose to our work. We also did a number of cultural immersion activities, like chocolate making class, a hike in which we ascended a volcano, a salsa dancing class, and eating at local diners and restaurants. As a group, we bonded in our long car rides, nightly dinners at our homestay in Antigua, and in the hours after dinner during our free time. I met some truly awesome people, and make great connections in just a weeks time with total strangers. Buck I SERV is truly unique in its ability to create strong connections in a short time with students that have never met each other before.
4. One of the things I value most is perspective. In our daily lives, we repeat routines and cycles that can create an echo chamber of values that can be harmful. Especially in a culture as divided as ours, we can sometimes find ourselves sticking to views or opinions we have because we don’t seek out experiences or narratives that challenge our preconceived notions. To push oneself to have these experiences should be a lifelong habit. If you are not growing, you’re regressing. On this trip, my ideas of international economics, interpersonal relationships, and aftershocks of colonialism were all challenged and developed. Without this experience, I would lack the cultural competency necessary to be a future public servant. If I do not understand someone’s background, values, and beliefs, how am I meant to understand their attitudes and perceptions towards their life, daily routine, and decisions made regarding their finances, health, and interpersonal network. This experience was invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity provided to me via the STEP fellowship

I traveled to Costa Rica to participate in a non-profit global consulting program through the Fisher College of Business. Over two weeks, our team immersed ourselves in the local culture, while providing consulting services to Chocolates Nan, a local chocolate company, to help them develop a business plan, enhance their social media presence, and create scaling guides.We also learned about the nature and tradition of Costa Rica that make it a unique biodiverse country.

Completing my STEP Signature Project profoundly changed my understanding of global business practices and cultural sensitivity. I realized the importance of adapting business strategies to fit local contexts, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the richness of different cultures and how they influence business operations and community interactions. It was an amazing opportunity to find a balanca of business and culture while getting to learn about the local community.

Costa Rica takes pride in their Pura Vida lifestyle. This literally means “pure life,” but it is the embodiment of the relaxed and enjoyable way of living they prioritize. The people in Costa Rica don’t get caught up in the small inconveniences of life. They appreciate life and make sure to act accordingly. This can seem difficult for us to understand as Americans because we are accustomed to quick service and immediate gratification, but the people in Costa Rica are all about taking their time and being happy doing it.

One key aspect that led to this transformation was living in Gandoca, a small village with 300-500 residents. This close-knit community welcomed us warmly, allowing me to see firsthand how interconnected business and daily life are in such settings. Working with Chocolates Nan, we faced unique challenges that required us to think creatively and collaboratively, deepening my understanding of flexible business planning.

Our daily interactions with the villagers, from playing soccer to making hammocks, provided a rich cultural immersion. These experiences highlighted the value of community and the importance of supporting local economies. Engaging in these activities fostered a sense of empathy and respect for the local way of life, reinforcing the idea that successful business strategies must be culturally informed.

Additionally, the collaborative nature of our consulting project played a significant role in my transformation. Working closely with my team for over five hours each day, we had to navigate different perspectives and ideas to create effective solutions for Chocolates Nan. This process taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and adaptability in achieving common goals.

I made sure to let all the stressors of life take a backseat and just go with the flow because that is the priority of the people in Costa Rica. This allowed ideas and strategies to flow more easily as we were able to relax and take our time. There are many aspects of the culture in Costa Rica that I would love to bring back to the USA with me.

This transformation is significant for several reasons. Academically, it has broadened my understanding of international business and the importance of cultural competence, which will enhance my studies and future research. Personally, this experience has made me more open-minded and appreciative of cultural diversity, which will enrich my interactions and relationships with people from different backgrounds.

Professionally, the skills and insights gained from this project are invaluable. The ability to adapt business strategies to fit different cultural contexts is crucial in today’s globalized economy. This experience has also reinforced my commitment to supporting sustainable and community-focused business practices, which will guide my future career.

The main activity my STEP signature project entailed was going on a BUCK-I-SERV trip to McCoy, Colorado. We volunteered at Mountain Valley Horse Rescue which was a ranch that was dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned horses. 

A transformation took place while completing my STEP project and being able to serve in a community I had never had before. I have never volunteered with an animal-based organization. I learned a lot about animals (horses) and how to upkeep and train them to become various types of horses. Such as a farm horse, show horse, or riding horse. I also was able to volunteer and transform the ranch by organizing and doing yard work.

Interactions with other group members led to a key aspect of completing my STEP project. Going across the country with 10 people I’ve never met was stepping outside of my comfort zone. Colorado is also a state I have always wanted to go to and explore the mountains out west, along with hiking. I now have an interest in going to graduate school in Colorado. I learned to make new connections with those I have never met before and to meet new people who go to Ohio State in various grades. 

The events and interactions of rehabilitating horses were another key part of the trip as I was not very knowledgeable about horses/animals in general. A worker from the ranch went around and explained why each horse was at the rescue and what they did in their past (there were around 40 horses). Some events I learned that dealt with horses were leading them and grooming (brushing). We also learned how to give the older horses or ones with physical conditions the best life possible or how to rehabilitate them into having a better life in the future at the ranch. We also witnessed how the community can help with the organization (as people around the community also came and volunteered). We also set up the ranch for upcoming summer camps for children to learn more about the horses and help get them more comfortable/familiar with people. 

This change/transformation is valuable to my life because serving others and giving back is very important to me. It can relate to my professional goals as I hope to become a healthcare professional one day- as helping and serving others is the foundation of healthcare. I also now know more about the Buck-I-Serv Foundation and what it could offer in the future as well. I can also use this experience to spread more awareness about the Mountain Valley Horse Rescue organization and what it offers.  MVHR is one the most unique horse rescue organizations on the Western Slope, that covers vast amounts of land. This organization supports equines that they can help, with there being ~170,000 unwanted horses across the nation. The main goal of MVHR is to decrease equine abuse and neglect by educating, it also connects with local law enforcement, concerned citizens, and private equine owners. MVHR also has a goal of attempting to find equine private homes. Every horse that comes across the MVHR is given the same amount of care: the veterinary, farrier, and other care needs to return to its maximum health. Evaluation, training, and socialization are also given in hopes of trying and overcoming mistreatment or neglect. The end goal is adoption into a safe environment, but MVHR is the bridge of being a loving home before in hopes of adoption. I witnessed how MVHR truly follows and supports equine in any way they can and I’m glad I was able to help/be a part of this organization (along with Buck-I-Serv).