The term “global awareness” has a lot of different meanings to me, including being aware of the world and whats happening in it, remembering that each person is unique and different in their own way and that everyone in the world deserves respect no matter who they are. In my coming years at Ohio State, one of my goals is to study abroad, so that I may develop a global perspective in general, as well as specifically in the field of Human Development and Family Science. I would love to study abroad and be able to work with children there, and study human development and the family lifestyles that they have at the specifica place I go, to see the differences between there and the United States. In addition, as part of fulfilling the “global awarness” term, a student should develop appreciation for each individual’s unique differences. I specifcally have a goal to develop that acknowledgment, by working with children who have a disability.
The term “service engagement” means participating in numerous service oppurtunities with a good heart and an open mind. Currently, I am involved with A Kid Again, in which I help assist their events with set up, clean up, and the actual event . This service oppurtunity brings me so much joy because I am able to work with the children who have terminal illnesses and watch them forget about their illness and have fun. I love being able to create this fun that the children are experiencing, and help them along the way if they ever need assistance. Being involved in service has always been apart of who I am because of my mother’s involvement in a foundation known as Prayers From Maria, that raises money for childhood cancer research. As I continue as a student at Ohio State, my goal is to continue getting involved with new service oppurtunities, in addition to my involvement in A Kid Again.
Leadership Development
Summary of Mentorship Experience
My first-year mentee was Emma Fry, and she is from Medina, Ohio. Her current major is Integrated Language Arts/ English Education. She started with this major and at the end of her first semester she changed to Human Development and Family Science. But after being in this major for a couple weeks, she realized she wanted to change back, so she did. Emma’s birthday is May 15, and she loves dogs, yoga and coffee. Her parents went to Ohio State, and she has an older brother who was a junior this year at OSU as well. At the beginning of the year, when I asked her what her favorite thing so far, she said it was walking to class. And the biggest challenge is missing home.
Some things that my mentee and I had in common included we are both from the Cleveland area, and we both love dogs. In addition, we both are apart of the Pen Pal program at Ohio State. Differences that we have include her being in a sorority, and I am not. She also has an older brother who goes to OSU, whereas I am the oldest in my family and therefore the first child to go to college.
My mentee grew a lot from the first semster to the second, and it was so fun and exciting to watch her growth. She became a more confident and independent person in her academics, as well as her social life. After hearing everything that she got involved in, I believe that Emma had a great freshman experience and was able to make incredible memories that she will treasure forever. Also, I feel that Emma confirmed what she wants to do in regards to her career after changing her major. She was able to experience different types of classes, and she realized what she liked, which is so good.
As a mentor and leader throughout the year, I feel that I have grown greatly. Beginning this process I was nervous that I would not be able to be a great mentor for my mentee. But after meeting Emma and getting to know her, I felt much more comfortable. I learned a lot from being a second-year mentor, including how to advise someone when they feel unsure about their career path/major. Also I learned how to just be there as a resource for someone, since I went through a similar experience the year before. The mentoring experience has helped me with my leadership development, because I learned and enhanced my leadership skills. I have had leadership positions before, in high school, and I was known to have a very positive attitude, and people felt comfortable coming to me for anything they were concerned about. And I feel that this mentoring experience has helped me enhance these leadership qualities.
I helped my mentee in the areas of mentoring by letting her know that I am always here if she needs anything, and giving her advice on certain things that I experienced as well. In addition, being there as someone who she can talk to and express her ideas, was nice for the both of us. In regards to socialization, I told her about various clubs and activities that I am involved in, so that she can get involved and meet new people around campus. In addition, I helped her with her orientation in regards to her attitudes/views on certain things. If she was nervous or scared for something, I would remind her that she is capable and confident. I was always there to make sure that her outlook was positive and that she felt comfortable.
I consider there to be several benefits to a mentoring program. Being able to be paired with an individual who is older than you, and went through a year that you are about to begin, is very helpful. For the mentee, it gives them someone to go to if they feel they have no one else, or if they have any questions/concerns. And for the mentor, it gives them the opportunity to share their knowledge and advice, due to the fact that they went through the exact same thing a year before. And lastly, being able to create a relationship as such is good for both people. Although ACES Mentorship program is only one year, I know that Emma feels comfortable coming to me if she ever needs anything. And I know that I can always check in on her and make sure she is doing well. Overall, this mentorship program gives you one more person and one more connection, at such a big university.
