Global Awareness: For me, global awareness stems from an awareness of oneself.  In order to appreciate how people of different backgrounds and cultures can enrich my life, I must first become steeped in my own heritage. I come from a mainly Italian background and while I have thoroughly enjoyed authentic Italian cuisine, the language was never spoken in my home, and I was never taught about the history, culture, or art of the country. Everything I know of Italy I have read in books or have seen in pictures. I long to understand what it truly means to be Italian and I yearn to travel to the home of my ancestors. I plan on learning Italian over the course of my years here and I want to study abroad in Italy in the hopes of becoming more in tune with my heritage so I am able to communicate with other people as an American, as an Italian, and as a citizen of Earth.

Original Inquiry: As a double major in astronomy and physics, I have the entirety of space and time to consider as options for me to consider delving into for research opportunities. My objective at this point and time is to discover what sparks my curiosity and what I consider to be an endeavor worth pursuing. In order to do this, I will establish a connection and presence with the professors, grad students, and upperclassmen in both departments in order to be more aware of the work that is being conducted here at Ohio State.

Academic Enrichment:  I have always been one to ask big questions. A career in astronomy and/or physics is centered around having an unquenchable thirst to not only ask questions but also to answer them. Having a workload steeped in the language of math is essential for my majors since mathematics is all about understanding and solving processes as well as being able to apply those processes, which is the crux that astronomy and physics is bound by. Without math, there is no way to understand how the universe, let alone the world, operates.

Leadership Development: I am a member of TOSU Shotokan Karate Club and as a black belt, I automatically assume a position of leadership and responsibility. Karate, for me, gives me a sense of discipline and order in my life. The mindset I have in karate, I carry over to all other facets of my life. I strive to be alert, engaged, and informed in all that I do and maintain a balance of mind, body, and will. In teachings others, I lead by doing. Demonstrating establishes the fact that both I and those that I teach understand what we are doing. This creates a more profound sense of cooperation and reduces the sense of disparity that is usually felt between those who lead and those are who are led.

Service Engagement: I have participated in the Lincoln Tower Blood Drive and I am registered as a participant in the upcoming BuckeyeThon next semester. I want to raise as many funds as I can for BuckeyeThon and pursue other causes that appeal to me over the course of my time here at Ohio State.