My freshman year at Ohio State has been filled with its fair share of ups and downs. Coming from out-of-state, I was very excited to start the year off with plenty of fresh faces and a new environment. But, I was also extremely worried about my nonexistent major and career plan. At the start of my first semester, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to study and I felt like I would not be able to decide for a long time. On a college campus, the first thing people ask when you meet them is “what is your major?” (cliché but true). This put a lot of pressure on my decision-making progress, as it seemed like everyone had his or her life together. However, because of one professor and her impact on me, I have finally progressed in selecting a major.
This semester (2nd), I enrolled in an ‘Introduction to Global Public Health’ class. From the beginning, I knew I would love the class. I had heard endless positive comments about the professor, Dr. Acton, and could not wait to learn from her and her experiences. Being in her class was a privilege and I can confidently say that it has been my favorite class in college thus far. It is because of this class and Dr. Acton that I have decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Public Health.
I am very excited for my next semester at Ohio State and interested to see what my second year as an International Affairs scholar will bring. I hope to become involved in student organizations relating to my major, such as Buckeyes for Public Health and Global Health Initiative. Additionally, I plan on applying for a public health centered study abroad program in Japan.