YEAR IN REVIEW
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
2021-2022
At a surface level, the term "global citizen scholar" can be broken down into its definition: "Global" meaning the world, "citizen" meaning member of a county, and "Scholar" meaning student. When putting it all together, one could naively assume that it's defined as just someone traveling internationally to learn. However, a Global Citizen Scholar is so much more than that. It is someone who is sensitive to the vastly different perspectives of the world and acts to respect and support each of them. Instead of making assumptions about a specific subject, a Global Citizen Scholar will reach out themselves to thoroughly understand it before forming an opinion.
Throughout my time in the University Honors Program, my definition of a global citizen scholar has not changed but has become more complex. In the beginning, I assumed that learning from different people would in a sense give you the basic information you need to understand the community from which they belong. However, I now understand that just because you talk to one person who is different than you, does not mean that they share the same ideas as another person that belongs to the same group. In a surface level example, if a global citizen scholar is a male who does not experience menstruation and is curious which products were better, pads or tampons, then he should ask multiple women because there are multiple points of view. This same concept can be used in many different cultural and societal applications.
My biggest stride to becoming a global citizen scholar this year was my acceptance into the University Honors Program. This opportunity opened up many doors that challenged me to explore the unfamiliar and grow as a person. Before my acceptance, I hadn’t given any thought into how I could be a global citizen scholar. UHP educated me on the importance of becoming a global citizen scholar and motivated me to succeed. One of the most significant progressions I’ve made was becoming Student Orientation Leader. This is my first and only honors experience I’ve done so far. However, the knowledge I’ve gained from participating in such an amazing organization is unmatched. The SOL team is a group of 32 individuals for numerous countries across the world. The friendships I’ve made have each taught me to be sensitive, calculated, and comfortable with vulnerability.
I value all of my experiences this year, and plan to apply what I’ve learned in any situation from interviewing for medical school to making small talk with a cashier. As a future doctor, I want my patients to feel comfortable and trust me so I can work efficiently. As a person, I just want to make people smile when they see me. While basically living with the SOLs, I have a better understanding of how diverse a group may be even if they look similar when you are just looking at them on a surface level. Some may come from different socioeconomic statuses; others may have a different sexual orientation. Though our brains are biologically equipped to notice similarities and comparisons between those around us, I’m now able to practice individualizing those around me. In turn, everyone will feel safe and welcome in my presence.
2022-2023
In January of this year, I fell ill, going into seemingly random fits of anaphylactic shock. It continued into the semester, and negatively impacted my academics including grades and attendance, as well as social relationships and income. To this day, my doctors are continuing to order tests to find out what is the cause of my symptoms.
My initial doctor in Lexington wrote my reactions off as cross-contamination to a previous peanut allergy: not a chance. Luckily, I was able to transfer my care to an incredible allergy and immunology specialist in Cincinnati. I began to learn the staff of UC Health on a first-name basis. While my friends were getting lunch every week I visited the clinic for blood work, urine tests, or doctor’s appointments. I watched as my peers hit their vapes while I puffed my steroid inhaler. Instead of going out on weekends, I found myself going into fits of troubled breathing, having to use my Epipen on multiple occasions. The fear you go through when you’re unable to breathe is a unique experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
I found that throughout this process I’ve had a profound interest in the tests that are run, including how they are done, what the values indicate, and if I am within the normal range or not. Though I had already chosen my major, it wasn’t until I became sick that I truly fell in love with medical laboratory science and the medical field. This summer, I am working as a clinical assistant at Lexington Infectious Disease Consultants where I am able to explore my interests further. At LIDC, I room patients, log medical history, take manual vitals, collect laboratory specimen samples, and un/bandage patients’ wounds. It is an extremely rewarding experience that encourages me to continue to work hard on the things I love.
Because of my dedication to my academics, I continued to prioritize my commitments to my classes, as well as extracurricular and leadership positions I hold at UC. I maintained my job as a Peer Leader for MLS, worked for the Office of New Student Orientation, and was accepted into many programs including the Honor’s Ambassador team and Bearcat Pantry Ambassador. Oftentimes, I would need to rest because I didn’t feel well. This gave me a great opportunity to work on my quilts and other sewing projects. Though it wasn’t fun at the time, I am grateful that I was able to continue what I love despite such tribulations.
With my condition stable now, I plan on shadowing the doctor that fronted my treatment plan. My goal is to get to know him on more of a personal level as a mentor-mentee relationship rather than a doctor-patient one. It is my hope that he also gets to know me and can witness my passion for medicine play out as I become more experienced in the field. By shadowing for 3 hours once a week, coming prepared and ready to learn, and maintaining the respect and privacy of each patient, I am confident that I will reflect positively on myself as an honors student at the University of Cincinnati.
2023-2024
Growing up, my mother had always called me a “giver”. I often tend to put others' needs above mine, forgive those who have hurt me without forgiving myself, and sympathize with another situation before my own. This continued into college; I am the one responsible for planning family game nights, spring break trips with my friends, or driving to pick up anyone or anything that we needed. While my habits have landed me with several friends, I have often felt lonely, as I was not given the same treatment in return. Since then, I have developed a habit where even if it were offered, I am uncomfortable accepting the help of others. My third year at the University of Cincinnati has been one of healing and growth. I truly believe I have successfully learned to balance my education, work, and social life without the feeling of being overwhelmed or not good enough. I now have confidence in myself and can manage my time with ease.
In July 2023, I began a position in the Office of the President as a Student Associate. Because of my exemplary achievement, I was promoted to Senior Student Associate in April 2024. Some of my duties include serving as the team lead during presidential events/meetings, acting as the intermediary between student workers and the staff of the office to maintain effective communication, training new student associates, and managing student associate scheduling. This experience has significantly improved my confidence in myself and networking throughout UC. When we hosted the Kelce Brothers for their New Heights Podcast and Lombaby Games I had the privilege of escorting the Pinto Family throughout the day. I was responsible for coordinating with security, tickets, and guests for the President’s Suite. During my time there, I was able to meet Travis and Jason Kelce, Joe Burrow, Orlando Brown, and Desmond Ridder. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Not only did I meet hundreds of people in my time here, but I also got to know myself better. During my first couple of years in college, I struggled with imposter syndrome and never felt good enough in comparison to those around me. I worked extremely hard, which became detrimental to both my physical and mental health. Luckily, I found a support system that allowed me to feel comfortable asking for help and draw personal and professional boundaries. I also found people who would take care of me if I needed anything and became more reliant on other people to get me through undergrad.
One of the honors experiences I completed this semester was the Research and Mentoring Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. My mentor, Dr. Jaclyn McAlees, has treated me with outstanding kindness. She has unmatched patience with each of the students in our lab, has supported me during the Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase, and comforted me during an emotional time when I lost a good friend of mine. Jackie drove me home when my car got towed and always made sure to keep healthy snacks around for the students. She is one of my biggest inspirations, and I was very lucky to be a part of their research laboratory. I have learned that to be successful you cannot do it alone. Surrounding myself with people who support my aspirations has released unquantifiable stress in my life and has given me the power to push through my last year of undergrad.
