Sophomore Year (2018-2019)

Global Awareness:

So far I do not believe I have done enough to develop my Global Awareness. I am currently part of the student organization MUNDO, went on a missions trip to Costa Rica, and participate in my church’s outreach program. All of these have helped me appreciate diversity and what it means. Next year I will start working as a Resident Advisor, in which diversity is an integral part of the job. For the future I would really like to go on a study abroad. As a Korean American, I  never appreciated my own cultural background as much as I should have and I would really like to visit Korea sometime. My mom was born there and I still have family living in Seoul, but I have not had the chance to visit yet. I will continue to participate in all the programs I participate in because they all inform me about different cultures so I can understand what others think and believe. The biggest part about appreciating diversity is understanding how people are different than you and accepting that. MUNDO and my church’s outreach program really help me with these aspects of Global Awareness.

Original Inquiry:

This year I joined a biochemistry research lab, where I have really learned what it means to participate in research here at OSU. I am part of the Kudryashov Lab, where we study actin and anything related to actin’s function or structure. Personally, I have been working with different toxins and how they affect the activity of actin. It has been a really cool experience for me because I have been able to work on a project myself and contribute to the major research being done in the lab. This experience has improved my problem solving skills and has provided me with a network of professionals that I never would have met otherwise. I will continue to work in the research lab for the rest of my time here at OSU, which will really help develop my original inquiry. I am also staying in Columbus over the summer so that I can work on my research full-time without worrying about classes.

Academic Enrichment:

My Honors Contract demonstrates a commitment to the goal of Academic Enrichment because I did not simply look for what would be considered the “easy” courses. I went with the courses that interested me the most and what I thought would help me learn the most about what I want to do for my future. By taking all the honors courses and even just by pursuing a BS in biochemistry, I am pursuing academic excellence. I plan on going to medical school after I finish undergrad, so biochemistry was the perfect major choice for me. By taking the difficult choices, I will be prepared for the future of medical school and the academic vigor that comes with it. This degree also allows me to take classes that will prepare me for the content on the MCAT and in medical school. I chose the GE courses based on what I thought would be the most interesting to me and what I thought would give me the most holistic undergraduate education. For example, for my Visual and Performing Arts GE, I had a lot of people tell me which were the easy classes that I was sure to get an A in. But the German 3254H course really stood out to me because even though I love science classes, I also love history, especially World War II. I knew this was the perfect course for me that would be interesting and intellectually stimulating, so I decided to take the course. By not taking the easy way out and doing everything I can to enrich my learning experience, I will demonstrate a commitment to excellence that will prepare me for my future.

Leadership Development:

Here at OSU I am part of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club, the Pre-Med Club, and the Buckeyes of Ronald McDonald House Charities. I also participate in a research lab and will be a Resident Advisor next year. Involvement in these activities contribute to my development as a leader because they allow me to pursue leadership positions within the club and help lead those who are younger than me but have similar interests. Being a Resident Advisor is all about leadership because you are living with and leading the residents on your floor. I even had to take a leadership course to become a Resident Advisor, which really helped me determine what type of leader I am best at being. These will help me pursue my future goal of medicine because they either provide me with resources that will help me or they provide me with skills.

Service Engagement:

-The Bridge Tutoring

-Volunteering at Wexner Medical Center

-Ronald McDonald House

-Service activities through my church

I plan on continuing to engage with the community by becoming more involved with the service activities I am already involved in. I am already part of many different programs, but I want to be an even more integral part of the service. I want to get to know the people I am helping and really get to know the people I am working with. This way, I will always be engaged with the community and will always have an opportunity to stay engaged.