As I begin my second year at Ohio State and reflect on my freshman year, I realize that many things have changed. When I started my undergraduate education at Ohio State, I was completely undecided with regard to my major. However, I thought I was interested in career paths related to food sciences, development, and sustainability. After some exploration with classes related to those career paths, I decided that, although the topics were very interesting, I did not see myself pursuing a career in the food science/environmental field. Additionally, when I began my freshman year, I was convinced that I would pursue a pre-medicine path. After a long struggle with my chemistry courses, I realized that I was pushing myself to do something I did not have a passion for and that I was merely doing because of my childhood dream of becoming a ‘prestigious’ doctor.

Now, as a second-year student, I have finally decided on a major and have come to realize that the classes I am currently taking fit perfectly with my interests and complement my strengths. The degree I am now pursuing is a Bachelor of Science in Public Health—and will be applying to the BSPH and MPH combined five-year program in order to receive a Master of Public Health in health behavior and promotion.

As an International Affairs Scholar, I have a wide variety of resources available for my use and am able to study and learn about a field other than my major. I find that to be the main reason why I chose to be in this program. Coming from a background of living in multiple countries throughout my childhood, I have a great interest in international relations and affairs. I consider it a great privilege to be able to exercise this interest without having to sacrifice space in my schedule for classes that would not count toward my major. Now that I have decided on a field of study, I realized that being an International Affairs Scholar fits perfectly well with public health, as many of my classes deal with global health, epidemiology, and international health policies.

I am currently involved in multiple public health related campus organizations and hope to become more involved in the College of Public Health as I progress through my sophomore year.