The Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S is a strong tool which students can use to look back and measure their achievements and to look forward and plan a strong career. Now as an Honors students majoring in Economics and Mathematics, I will introduce my reflections on the G.O.A.L.S in the order of Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement.
Global Awareness
In a world where globalization proceeds rapidly, appreciating diversity and individual’s uniqueness is required for Honors & Scholars students at the Ohio State University. As an international student, I have been cultivating my global awareness since the time I came to the United States. The emphasis of diversity and inclusiveness at the Ohio State University strongly impacted the way I was thinking about the world. Perceived the importance of global awareness, I joined the Chinese Students and Scholars Society (CSSS) and began my path to foster students’ global awareness by spreading Chinese culture and to learn about other student groups through event collaborations.
The most impressive experience I have had in CSSS is the participation of Taste of OSU 2019. In Taste of OSU, I was able to meet student groups from all over the world. They demonstrated their cultures by presenting featured dishes from their countries. It was my pleasure to represent CSSS and provided Chinese food to students who came to our table.
The next two years, I will try to have conversations with more student groups and foster collaborations in events and discussions. A trip to another country is also under my consideration as the direct way of gaining global awareness is to dive into that culture.
Original Inquiry
Economics and Mathematics are heavily research-focused areas. Exposure to great professors and strong peers allowed me to participate in many projects and research programs.
Two of my mathematics classes, MATH 2568H and MATH 4570 are project-based classes. At the end of Fall 2018, our group studies topology using linear algebra in MATH 2568H. We read references recommended by Professor Krishnan and created a poster for the study of a topological invariant, homology. Our MATH 4570 is a class about a newly developed field of mathematics, Topological Data Analysis (TDA). We were inspired to study the areas where TDA is applied and read papers and write reports. In both of the classes, we practiced programming in Python and applied it in our final projects. These advance courses equipped me with mathematical inquiry skills.
On the other hand, pursuing a career in economics research, I put much effort into the study of Economics. Econometrics I and II and ECON 4960H are the three most influential classes that built my original inquiry in economics. Econometric projects studying the relationship between education and wage return prepared me with data analytic skills using Stata and technical writing skills. I initiated a research project studying student loans in ECON 4960H. Professor Weinberg works with me and we plan to produce some interesting results during summer 2019.
The plan for the rest of my college life is to work on my student loan project and turn it into a senior thesis. At the same time, I will try to participate in research programs organized by the Office of Undergraduate Research so that I can be familiar with the research presentation and funding application.
Academic Enrichment
Academic excellence is a fundamental characteristic of Honors & Scholars student. Before coming to the Ohio State University, I wished to understand how the world operated and the force behind it. Economics major allows me an interesting perspective to think of the world pushing by economic forces. Mathematics simultaneously serves as a tool with the study of Economics. During the past two years, I have been committed to excellence by performing great in classes and having as many conversations with professors as possible.
I have also taken CLAS 2220H and PHILOS 1100H. They provided me with methods to understand cross-cultural differences and to comprehend the logic of thinking. These elements are essential to my economics study on a social basis.
My senior years’ plan is to take as many graduate level courses in mathematics and economics as possible. They are more academically rigorous and will prepare me to work as a professional researcher.
Leadership Development
Leadership matters. No matter what you do and how you do it, leadership is always a good catalyst for achievements. Living on campus with tens of thousands of students and faculties, I get involved in collaborations in the form of groups or teams all the time. It is leadership that can bound the team together and work towards their ultimate goals.
I have been heavily involved in residence life. Serving as an OA at the desk and Vice President of Baker West Activities Council, I provided resources and hosted events for residents. I led the meeting and discussion on how to better improve our community and how to extend collaboration between different organizations. The communications with Hall Director and other faculties equipped me with strong speaking skills and organizational abilities.
I have also served as the HR director in ICM and CSSS. Being in charge of the recruitment plan and the teambuilding programs, I gained clear understandings of what responsibilities a leader should take on and how important a leader is to the development of teams.
I will continue providing leadership to the organizations I am involved in and try to pass on the skills to the next generation.
Service Engagement
Honors & Scholars students should demonstrate their commitments to serve their communities.
As a member of the Honors & Scholars community, I was proud to serve in a Buck-I-SERV trip to Birmingham, Alabama in winter 2018. We conducted housing construction with Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization who was striving to provide accessible houses to people living in the community. Our team worked closely with local people and replaced roofs and paints of five houses.
Moreover, my involvements in RHAC and HCC allowed me to work with Project Linus and to knit blankets for local orphanages. It is really exciting to see how your actions can impact the communities you are living in.
My plan for the next two years is to keep my connections with Habitat for Humanity in the Columbus area and provide my services to help their construction projects. At the same time, I am planning an international volunteer trip during my third year. My motive is to travel to another country, to understand the cultural diversity and differences, and to perceive the needs of certain groups of people.