Sophomore Year in Review

  • Global Awareness: Starting in the second semester of my freshman year, and continuing to the current semester, I have been taking coursework in American Sign Language. This has given me exposure to the Deaf culture – a culture about which I had very little previous knowledge – and a new insight into the lives of these people. With this new background in the Deaf culture, I will be able to better communicate with the community as a medical professional. In the future, I hope to expand my global awareness by staying involved with the Deaf and Hearing club on campus, as well as travel to another part of the country with Buck-I-Serv.

 

  • Original Inquiry: This past semester, I have been taking a 4000-level course for the Neuroscience major, Intro to Psychopharmacology. I had not planned to take this course when planning for graduation, but I was very intrigued by the subject matter and wanted to hear from Dr. Wenk firsthand in his last year as a professor. This summer, I will be shadowing/observing a neurosurgeon at University Hospitals in Cleveland and hope to be exposed to any research she is pursuing. Next year I would like to join a research lab here on campus.

 

  • Academic Enrichment: My Honors Contract displays a commitment to this goal because I have consistently been taking and will continue to take upper-level coursework (3000 level or above) as well as honors level GE’s. I chose to major in Neuroscience because I have a strong interest in the inner workings of the brain and how this impacts our behavior. This past year I decided to add a minor in Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies, because I also have an interest in why people commit crime and the inner workings of the criminal justice system. I am still pursuing a pre-med track, and to prepare for this I have almost completed a year of coursework in organic chemistry. My major and minor coursework, along with my GE courses, will be academically challenging and make me a more well-rounded person.

 

  • Leadership Development: In the autumn semester of my sophomore year I decided to join the Wishmakers on Campus Club, and I have been an active member since joining. Earlier this semester I joined a small group of club members in attending a Wish Reveal for one of the wish kids, and it was an amazing experience. Next year I plan to apply for a position on the subcommittee for this club and gain leadership experience in that role. This club relates closely to what I want to do professionally because we work with helping kids in the hospital, and I hope to have a career in the medical field.

 

  • Service Engagement: After my freshman year ended, I spent the summer participating in the volunteer program at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in the Emergency Department. I plan to continue volunteering at the hospital during this upcoming summer, as well as taking advantage of any opportunities the Wishmakers on Campus club offer. I still have plans to go on a Buck-I-Serv trip, potentially in the next year, and work with a group of other students to provide some help to a community or organization in need.

Light the Night

During my first semester here, through my biology course, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Light the Night Walk in Columbus for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It was set up as a service learning project, and we also were given a tour of a research lab here on campus, in which work is being done to find an alternative to chemotherapy. The walk is a fundraising event that is aimed at helping the LLS’s funding of research to find cures for blood cancer. In total, this event ended up raising a total of $562,533 of the $750,000 goal. I’m glad I got to be a part of this event and help out with raising awareness to this cause.

About Me

Hi, I’m Bella Zak, a Neuroscience major at Ohio State University. Currently, I am on a pre-medicine track, and have aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon after medical school. Shortly after turning 18, I had the opportunity of shadowing a pediatric neurosurgeon at the Cleveland Medical Center. During the surgery, I realized that this is the career I want. Even though I had ended up standing there for hours, I was interested the whole time. The neurosurgeon was so good with the patients and could make them feel better about their situation, and I admired that. After this experience, my goal is to enter this career field in the future.

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: In the summer after my sophomore year, I plan to study abroad through the Global May program focused on pre-medicine coursework. This will allow me to immerse myself in a completely new culture and experience the world of healthcare in a new place.

Original Inquiry: Starting as soon as I can find a spot, I will join a research lab here on campus, hopefully in the field of neuroscience or psychology. In addition to this, I hope to be able to work with a doctor in a hospital in the future, and gain insight into the type of research he/she is working on.

Academic Enrichment: In my first semester here, I have already enrolled in honors level and 3000 level coursework. In the future I will continue to take these challenging courses, as well as becoming a tutor for a neuroscience course.

Leadership Development: Once I have found a club that I’m passionate about, I plan to gain a board position rather than solely being a member. In addition, I would like to become a TA in one of the general chemistry courses.

Service Engagement: In the first week of May 2018, I plan to go on a BUCK-I-SERVE trip to another part of this country. I will be able to build a community with my group members, as well as help out a community in need.

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]