For my spring semester and final explore Columbus assignment, my goal was to take my two awesome mentees, Hannah and Katie, to experience Jeni’s Ice Creams in the Short North. Throughout the semester, we talked about where we wanted to go for our last assignment together. We were thinking about going to Plato’s Closet in Clintonville, but it would be difficult without a personal car. Katie mentioned that she was interested in getting ice cream and Hannah was down for anything, so we decided on Jeni’s. It was pretty fitting because when I was a mentee, my mentor took me to get ice cream as well.
As a sophomore, I live in a dorm on north campus. With the ACES learning community, Hannah and Katie live in Smith-Steeb. Therefore, I rode a COTA down from north to south campus and met them in the Smith-Steeb lobby. Then, we got on another COTA that took us from Chittenden Avenue to Hubbard Avenue, close to where Jeni’s is located. We had fun chatting about riding the COTA and how it helps us learn the streets of Columbus. With the bus stop a block away from Jeni’s, we passed by some Short North restaurants and retail shops and talked about places we have been to or places we would like to try or visit.
When we got inside, we had discussed some flavors in mind, but all three of us ended up sampling a whole bunch of flavors. Hannah got a cone of a strawberry flavored ice cream. Katie got a cup of the gooey butter cake, which is her ultimate favorite she added. And I got a cup of two flavors, one being the gooey butter cake and the Texas sheet cake. We sat down in their indoor seating area, and had a great time.
Hannah recapped on her second semester and told me her highlights about freshman year. She enjoyed the FEAP program, likes her major, and is ready to relax over summer. Over the summer, she has a job set up. Hannah will be a nanny to a family of boys who live near her in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has fun hanging out with the kids while making some nice spending money. When I asked Hannah if she had any regrets or things she hopes to accomplish as a sophomore at Ohio State, she said she didn’t have any regrets and is excited to continue attending Ohio State. She met someone of her best friends here and is excited to live in the Alpha Xi Delta house in the fall. Hannah hopes to get a job on-campus in the fall as well.
Katie enjoyed her first year and benefited from the ACES community. She volunteered with the Smiles with Styles through the Ronald McDonald House and during her spring semester, she joined Boo Radley Society. Katie hopes to get more involved with Boo Radley Society and during finals week she had participated in random acts of kindness. Katie shared with us that she was experiencing some difficulties about discussing her return to her summer camp job. She discovered she would be working in a different department than what she was used to doing in the past. Katie always has a happy outlook on any situation, and I imagine she will use her positivity to withstand any hardships.
Together, we all discussed our final exam schedules. Hannah had a couple finals and would be able to leave on Thursday. Katie felt confident with her final exam schedule. I told my mentees about my final exam schedule and my plans for the summer of a study abroad program and internship to follow. Katie and I bonded over how we are both in economics classes, but with different professors. My economics class was a large lecture twice a week whereas Katie’s incorporated technology such as iPads.
When we left Jeni’s Ice Creams, I had planned for us to get on a COTA. However, the COTA had arrived before we got to the bus stop, so we waited about 10 more minutes for the next bus to arrive. I would definitely go back to Jeni’s Ice Creams as it offers unique and delicious flavors, and it’s a great way to hang out with friends. Although it can be slightly pricey, they put a lot of effort in and even have dairy/peanut free options for those with dietary restrictions. There are several locations and I always look forward to going.