Global Awareness allows students to develop an appreciation for the world around them and to sharpen their perspectives regarding their roles as citizens of an international society. Thus far, I have engaged in several activities and learning opportunities to develop my personal Global Awareness. To begin with, I am the Secretary-General of Ohio State’s Model United Nations conference and an active member of the Collegiate Council on World Affairs: the organization that sponsors the aforementioned conference. Engagement in this club allows me to constantly stay up to date with international news and at Model UN conferences I, quite literally, take upon the role and stances of other countries to help develop collaborative solutions to both historical and modern international issues. Furthermore, as a history major I have taken several classes that have allowed me to sharpen my global perspective. In my readings seminar on Modern European History, we explored the modern refugee crisis in juxtaposition with international refugee crises throughout history. Finally, I am an active member of the Jewish community at the Ohio State University. I meet Jews from across the world at Chabad gatherings and events at Hillel.
Original Inquiry is also integral to one’s education. I have taken great initiative to involve myself with several research and creative projects in an effort to further this specific clause of the G.O.A.L.S. To begin with, last semester, I was a research assistant for an Environmental Historian at the university. In this position, I developed a timeline of court cases relating to or directly involving the domestic and international use of Agent Orange. I also analyzed and assembled collection of internal memos, court depositions and other documents for information on Monsanto’s use of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. This semester I am participating in a research project that investigates and subsequently publicizes the lack of legal environmental compliancy among Columbus companies. I also wrote a historiographic review that investigated Soviet Jewish Immigration to the United States from 1987-1991 that subsequently won an award in the history department. Before graduation, I intend to further engage in Original Inquiry as I plan to write a thesis in either History or English and then pursue a PhD in that respective topic.
I believe that my Honors Contract demonstrates an exceptional dedication to Academic Enrichment. I am not only pursuing a double major in History and English, but also a minor in Hebrew. By the time I graduate, I will greatly exceed the amount of university required classes and credit hours. I have a passion for learning and want to collect as much information as possible from a variety of subject matters before I graduate. Additionally, my planned classes pair perfectly with my intended future aspirations. I plan to pursue a career as a professor in either History or English. My focus in both will revolve around turn-of-the-century Modernism and/or Jewish history. I intend to take classes that cater to both of these unique interests. My GE courses, such as Anthropology classes, will enhance my knowledge on these topics and provide a scientific background to my humanities-dominated majors. Finally, my Hebrew minor will allow me to apply to more competitive graduate school programs, as most graduate schools that focus on the humanities prefer that their applicants have fluency in more than one English.
Leadership Development well also contribute to my efforts to obtain a well-rounded education at the Ohio State University. I have pursued several leadership roles in my two short years at the university. Currently, as I mentioned earlier, I am the Secretary-General of the university’s Model United Nations conference. In this position, I managed a staff of over 60 people as we arranged a conference for over 200 high-school students. The three-day conference sharpened my skills in organization, management, and communication, all of which are integral to leadership development. Similarly, as a Philanthropy Chair for my sorority, I helped plan a basketball tournament that raised money to fight cancer. This event was attended by over 150 people and required acute planning and management on my part. These leadership roles will contribute to my career goals, as professors must consistently capture the attention of their students and plan carefully for both their personal research and their syllabi.
Finally, I have engaged in several Service Engagement based activities to help enhance my engagement with my community. To begin with, I often tutor students in my sorority and my dorm in History and English. Though this is not an official form of volunteering, I still make a contribution to the education of those around me. Additionally, during my breaks, I volunteer at a local youth theater in Cleveland, Ohio. Theater helps young children enhance their artistic abilities and take a new perspective on the world and I am honored that I receive a role in this aspect of their education. Finally, the Collegiate Council on World Affairs often organizes trips downtown to volunteer with various environmental organizations. For example, last week, we paired with the Undergraduate Student Government to help clean up Columbus and plant trees in park areas. I intend to continue these activities and also engage in the various volunteer opportunities offered by my sorority’s philanthropy.