The first event that I have attended was the Education Abroad Expo, which is considered academic and took place on September 4, 2018 in the Ohio Union. While there, I learned about several great opportunities involving studying abroad in a different country, and also gained knowledge about the experience level needed to successfully travel. I have decided to minor in Spanish, and in the past, I have thought about the possibility of studying in Spain because I thought it would be a good experience. However, I never thought of it as necessary. After taking part in the expo, I learned that it is going to be really important for me to visit Spain, even if it is only a month, because of the difference between my culture and theirs. I do not believe that I will be able to be truly successful in completing my college education if I do not travel abroad.
I joined International Affairs to learn more about affairs internationally. I came into this scholars program because I knew it would be beneficial in my goal of obtaining my minor. I truly do not think that I would have been educated on the importance of studying abroad if I was not in this program.
If I could design my own education abroad experience, I would choose a combination of studying, internship, and intensive foreign language. I think that all of these would be great experiences, and they would look great on any resume. Working in a foreign country is very important because it teaches you true value of work that you do in your own country. For example, the wages are most likely lower than what you would receive in the United States. There is also different work to do, with different people, than what you would have in the U.S. There are many reasons that it would be a great opportunity. Studying and intensive foreign language would also be important to help me continue education to improve my experience while there. I will learn about the culture, and how to communicate more effectively with the people in the country I am in.
When I study abroad, I would like to go to Spain, but more specifically, Madrid. After doing research, Madrid seems like one of the best options for many reasons. It is near the center of Spain, so there are many places around it that I could also visit. It is also very safe and clean with phenomenal transportation systems. If I were to be alone, this would definitely be the best option because I would have a sense of security. There is also so much more to offer that could improve my overall learning experience.
This experience would affect me academically, professionally, and personally. I would learn so much while studying in Madrid, more than I would if I was staying in Ohio, or even the United States. I believe that the best way to learn something is to experience something yourself so that you are truly able to relate the experiences to future situations. In the future, when I am seeking a job and my potential employer sees that I have experience in a different country, they will believe that I am truly experienced and am qualified. They will trust my ability to relate with others that I work with. Lastly, this trip would help me to grow very much as a person. By traveling to another country, I am opening myself up to try new things, and to expand my mindset. Personal growth is very important to me, and traveling overseas to live the life of a different culture would be a great way to evaluate my life and find my passions.
While studying abroad, my goal would be to feel comfortable in my own surroundings and feel like I belong, while also learning many new things, of course. Stepping out of my comfort zone can be difficult for me, and this would be a great way to challenge myself. I would become homesick after a couple of weeks, most likely, but once I start to feel comfortable with myself, I know that I will feel better.
The only questions I have would be to ask: Which program would be best-suited for me and my future career? Where should I try to find an internship? When is the best time to go?
I truly believe that attending this expo has helped me to better understand routes that I should take in order to obtain my degree in the best way possible. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to learn more about other cultures, languages, and to have life experiences that you will not be able to have at any other point.
Posts
Welcome to my Honors & Scholars e-Portfolio
[The Home Page will show a running blog of your recent posts, which are categorized and show on that category’s page. Please delete this post or edit with your own information.]
Year in Review
[ “Year in Review” is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student. You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
G.O.A.L.S.
[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.
- Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.
- Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
- Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
- Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
- Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]
Career
[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career. Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
Artifacts
[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation. An annotation includes both a description of the artifact and a reflection on why it is important to you, what you learned, and what it means for your next steps. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
About Me
[Your “About Me” is a brief biographical statement that might include your intended major, your academic interests, your goals, as well as the things that make you unique. Definitely include a picture! Also, remember that you can always update this post at any point. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]