Final Presentation: Significant Experience
For my final project, there wasn't even a question in my head about what I wanted to do. I knew immediately that I wanted to focus on the relationships I've formed since coming here. Since I am very extroverted, I'd decided before even moving in that the first night, I would go around and knock on every single door in the building and introduce myself. By doing this, I think I broke the ice in the building; I noticed relationships forming as early as the day of move-in. Since then, I have specifically formed tight bonds with five people in my building: Sam Perry, Akshayaa Venkatakrishnan, Jordan Stephens, Alex Muir, and my boyfriend, Luke Shafer.
I chose Chicago by Sufjan Stevens as the accompanying music for several reasons. First of all, because it has the kind of feel I wanted from the video – uplifting, reminiscent. Secondly, the lyrics speak of learning from mistakes, growing, being recreated completely – what I feel exemplifies the college experience I've had so far. I believe it was the perfect song for this video.
I chose to do a video that reflected the essence of each of my close friends. To do this, I asked them to come into the frame from off-camera, sit down, and talk about themselves. I never intended on using what they said, and I asked other people in the room to interact with them normally. By doing this, I believe I captured beautiful moments on camera, and I still can't help but smile when I watch it. In my video, I decided not to include anything about my friends besides their names, majors, and hometowns – the typical introduction that I've made hundreds of times since the start of this school year. I didn't want the audience to know anything about these people besides the first things I ever knew about them; instead, I wanted the video to display their personalities. I think I did a pretty good job with that. I'll be living with Sam, Akshayaa, Jordan, Alex, and Luke next year, and I know we'll be friends for the rest of our lives because of what we've already been through as a group.
I chose Chicago by Sufjan Stevens as the accompanying music for several reasons. First of all, because it has the kind of feel I wanted from the video – uplifting, reminiscent. Secondly, the lyrics speak of learning from mistakes, growing, being recreated completely – what I feel exemplifies the college experience I've had so far. I believe it was the perfect song for this video.
I chose to do a video that reflected the essence of each of my close friends. To do this, I asked them to come into the frame from off-camera, sit down, and talk about themselves. I never intended on using what they said, and I asked other people in the room to interact with them normally. By doing this, I believe I captured beautiful moments on camera, and I still can't help but smile when I watch it. In my video, I decided not to include anything about my friends besides their names, majors, and hometowns – the typical introduction that I've made hundreds of times since the start of this school year. I didn't want the audience to know anything about these people besides the first things I ever knew about them; instead, I wanted the video to display their personalities. I think I did a pretty good job with that. I'll be living with Sam, Akshayaa, Jordan, Alex, and Luke next year, and I know we'll be friends for the rest of our lives because of what we've already been through as a group.
Self-Designed Honors Experiential Learning Project Proposal
Name: Anahita Sharma
Email: [email protected]
College: McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Psychology and Political Science
Project Title: Student Exchange Program to University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Thematic Area: Global Studies
Project Start Date: January 2015
Project End Date: March 2015
Abstract:
I plan on studying abroad at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland during the spring semester of the 2014-2015 year. I will be enrolled for specifically humanities credits, which fulfill my majors' requirements. I will be there for three months, and I plan to be enrolled for 16-17 credit hours. These three months in Ireland will give me a deeper understanding of Irish culture.
Ever since I was younger, I have been fascinated with Irish culture, history, and folklore. This resulted in me doing my final senior project on the history of Irish folklore and the origination of creatures that remain popular in Irish tales even today. I am also considering getting my doctorate in Ireland at Trinity College in Dublin, because it offers a completely unique 3-year Psy. D. or D. Clin. Psych degree. I believe that studying in Ireland during my undergraduate education will prepare me for the possible future experience of attaining my doctorate in Ireland. I have never studied abroad before, and I believe it would be valuable to have that experience sometime during my first two years of undergraduate education.
As this project is a complete immersion in Irish culture for three months, I will attain the minimum of six days easily. I will gain a multidimensional understanding of the workings of Irish society, especially since society functions completely differently in every country and/or culture. Although there is not a language barrier, adjusting to Irish customs and societal norms will be a significant challenge for me.
Studying abroad in Ireland will be an incredible experience and I will learn an astounding amount about Irish culture and society. Since the exchange program covers mostly humanities classes, I will be able to attain necessary credits abroad. I look forward to studying abroad, especially since I may end up living in Ireland for a significant amount of time.
Connection to Learning Outcomes:
Connection to Goals and Academic Theories:
Again, since I am very seriously considering obtaining my doctorate in clinical psychology from Trinity College Dublin, having the privilege of studying abroad in Ireland will provide me with fundamental knowledge of Irish societal norms and cultural differences. This will fulfill a personal and professional goal of mine; if I am able to gain a basic understanding of Irish culture, living there for an additional three years after obtaining my Bachelor's degree will be much easier. This also pushes me closer to obtaining a professional goal; the program I am considering at Trinity College Dublin is highly competitive and requires experience with the Psychological Society of Ireland. If I am able to study in Ireland for a semester, I can start building a base relationship with the Psychological Society of Ireland; this will increase my chances of being accepted to the Doctor of Clinical Psychology.
Although I am already very interested in the culture of Ireland, it would be beneficial for me to complete more research on it by reading books such as The Cambridge Companion to Irish Culture, edited by Joe Cleary and Claire Connolly. This book explains effects of historical events such as the famine on Irish culture, as well as explaining modern conventions such as Irish feminism. It even goes into topics such as Irish cinema, poetry, and theater. The book ends with a chapter on Irish national identity, which I believe is vital to understand if I am going to be living there in the future.
Initiative, Independence, and Creativity:
Since I am operating within an already-existing exchange program to University College Cork, I am not completely designing this project. However, I will be completely independent while I am a student at University College Cork. Since I will be traveling alone or with a very small group of students from the University of Cincinnati, I will definitely need to be highly independent. While I am there, I hope to take initiative and form a new club specifically for international students, which will focus on learning about Irish folklore and mythology. I am unsure of this being an actual possibility, but I do hope to achieve something like it when I am there.
Reflection:
I enjoy documenting important experiences, so being able to reflect on this will not be difficult. During the entirety of my stay in Ireland, I will keep a regular blog, to be updated weekly. I will upload pictures and detailed accounts of significant cultural differences that I encounter. This will make the reflective essay due after the experience much easier. It will also be personally enjoyable for me, because I enjoy being able to reflect upon my experiences and I have steadily kept both diaries and blogs since I was in middle school.
Dissemination:
Since my project will double as a student exchange experience and an honors experience, I plan on presenting my experience to both communities; I can do this by volunteering to share my experience via PowerPoint and verbally to Honors Gateway classes and at International information sessions. My blog will also be available publicly, and I will publish a reflective essay to it after the experience so that any readers receive a complete account of my semester abroad.
Project Advisor:
Ryan Meyer
[email protected]
Exchange Program Manager, UC International Programs
Email: [email protected]
College: McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Psychology and Political Science
Project Title: Student Exchange Program to University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Thematic Area: Global Studies
Project Start Date: January 2015
Project End Date: March 2015
Abstract:
I plan on studying abroad at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland during the spring semester of the 2014-2015 year. I will be enrolled for specifically humanities credits, which fulfill my majors' requirements. I will be there for three months, and I plan to be enrolled for 16-17 credit hours. These three months in Ireland will give me a deeper understanding of Irish culture.
Ever since I was younger, I have been fascinated with Irish culture, history, and folklore. This resulted in me doing my final senior project on the history of Irish folklore and the origination of creatures that remain popular in Irish tales even today. I am also considering getting my doctorate in Ireland at Trinity College in Dublin, because it offers a completely unique 3-year Psy. D. or D. Clin. Psych degree. I believe that studying in Ireland during my undergraduate education will prepare me for the possible future experience of attaining my doctorate in Ireland. I have never studied abroad before, and I believe it would be valuable to have that experience sometime during my first two years of undergraduate education.
As this project is a complete immersion in Irish culture for three months, I will attain the minimum of six days easily. I will gain a multidimensional understanding of the workings of Irish society, especially since society functions completely differently in every country and/or culture. Although there is not a language barrier, adjusting to Irish customs and societal norms will be a significant challenge for me.
Studying abroad in Ireland will be an incredible experience and I will learn an astounding amount about Irish culture and society. Since the exchange program covers mostly humanities classes, I will be able to attain necessary credits abroad. I look forward to studying abroad, especially since I may end up living in Ireland for a significant amount of time.
Connection to Learning Outcomes:
- Possess global literacy, including knowledge of geography, history, current world issues and similarities and differences among cultures: Since news of the United Kingdom isn't often covered by US media sources and news, being in Ireland will be beneficial to the attainment of knowledge of current world issues.
- Interact with individuals from different cultures and express a sensitivity, appreciation and respect for the complex range of experiences of diverse peoples: Again, there will not be a language barrier in Ireland, but there will very much be a societal and cultural barrier. Being in a completely different society will be an incredible learning opportunity, during which I will gain a deep knowledge of how to behave respectfully in regards to the experiences of Irish people.
Connection to Goals and Academic Theories:
Again, since I am very seriously considering obtaining my doctorate in clinical psychology from Trinity College Dublin, having the privilege of studying abroad in Ireland will provide me with fundamental knowledge of Irish societal norms and cultural differences. This will fulfill a personal and professional goal of mine; if I am able to gain a basic understanding of Irish culture, living there for an additional three years after obtaining my Bachelor's degree will be much easier. This also pushes me closer to obtaining a professional goal; the program I am considering at Trinity College Dublin is highly competitive and requires experience with the Psychological Society of Ireland. If I am able to study in Ireland for a semester, I can start building a base relationship with the Psychological Society of Ireland; this will increase my chances of being accepted to the Doctor of Clinical Psychology.
Although I am already very interested in the culture of Ireland, it would be beneficial for me to complete more research on it by reading books such as The Cambridge Companion to Irish Culture, edited by Joe Cleary and Claire Connolly. This book explains effects of historical events such as the famine on Irish culture, as well as explaining modern conventions such as Irish feminism. It even goes into topics such as Irish cinema, poetry, and theater. The book ends with a chapter on Irish national identity, which I believe is vital to understand if I am going to be living there in the future.
Initiative, Independence, and Creativity:
Since I am operating within an already-existing exchange program to University College Cork, I am not completely designing this project. However, I will be completely independent while I am a student at University College Cork. Since I will be traveling alone or with a very small group of students from the University of Cincinnati, I will definitely need to be highly independent. While I am there, I hope to take initiative and form a new club specifically for international students, which will focus on learning about Irish folklore and mythology. I am unsure of this being an actual possibility, but I do hope to achieve something like it when I am there.
Reflection:
I enjoy documenting important experiences, so being able to reflect on this will not be difficult. During the entirety of my stay in Ireland, I will keep a regular blog, to be updated weekly. I will upload pictures and detailed accounts of significant cultural differences that I encounter. This will make the reflective essay due after the experience much easier. It will also be personally enjoyable for me, because I enjoy being able to reflect upon my experiences and I have steadily kept both diaries and blogs since I was in middle school.
Dissemination:
Since my project will double as a student exchange experience and an honors experience, I plan on presenting my experience to both communities; I can do this by volunteering to share my experience via PowerPoint and verbally to Honors Gateway classes and at International information sessions. My blog will also be available publicly, and I will publish a reflective essay to it after the experience so that any readers receive a complete account of my semester abroad.
Project Advisor:
Ryan Meyer
[email protected]
Exchange Program Manager, UC International Programs
This I Believe: Staying Up Late
This week, we were assigned the task of writing a This I Believe statement. I've written one before, for a creative writing assignment my junior year of high school, and knew instantly that I wanted to write about the same theme. Last time, I focused on a midnight canoe ride through the bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, but this time I chose to write about something more personal and meaningful, something that happens much more often. My This I Believe statement is about the one thing I value above all else, something that I constantly crave: adventure.
I believe in staying up late. I believe that when the sun goes down, everyone sheds their daytime skin and becomes open and vulnerable. I believe in nights where every decision is acted upon immediately, where everything is a possibility.
Every so often, when the sun is just starting to set, my friends and I decide that we need to do something. Anything. We begin to talk excitedly, animatedly, about the possibilities; bowling, movies, and laser tag are brought up and immediately discarded because we're collectively short on cash. Every time, we finally decide to just “take the shuttle and get off somewhere.” Each moment is full of the specific brand of excitement associated with possibility. Even when we board the shuttle and wait under the soft red lights for our destination, the air is charged with an almost tangible feeling of anticipation. At each stop, the driver gets slightly more annoyed with us as we chatter about whether or not we should get off and explore, or stay on until the next one.
Finally, when one of us spots something interesting, or the lights catch our eyes, or it just feels right, we get off the bus and thank the driver on the way out. Our nights start with food, one of the best bonding experiences in my opinion- whether it be fried pickles for the first time or self-serve frozen yogurt with all the toppings, conversation seems warmer in between bites. After we eat, we walk faster and faster, conversing in groups of two or three, and then we stop to enjoy the view. Whatever it may be, perhaps lights on the water or the skyline of the city at dusk, we find places to sit or lean – worn down benches, crumbling ledges, rusty railings – and our words fade into silence for the moment. I never know what anyone else is thinking, but I am always struck by several realizations at once, one after another like a dozen-car pileup. First, that I will never be as young as I am right then. Second, nothing will ever be exactly the same as it is in that moment. Third, the balance of everything as it is currently is so fragile and volatile that it is liable to change at any moment without notice.
My thoughts are momentarily interrupted by the decision to make the trip back to our dorms. The shuttle ride on the way back is more subdued; everyone has been lulled for the night by the fulfillment of our collective desire to adventure. We sit in the lounge for an hour or two, playing card games or talking about what we saw in the city, and then we quietly disperse and go off to bed.
Before I go to sleep, I take the opportunity to continue my train of thought from earlier in the night. The last thing that I always realize is that I should enjoy every moment as it happens. I should live spontaneously. I should find adventures and take every opportunity to do something new. I should stay up late.
I believe in staying up late. I believe that when the sun goes down, everyone sheds their daytime skin and becomes open and vulnerable. I believe in nights where every decision is acted upon immediately, where everything is a possibility.
Every so often, when the sun is just starting to set, my friends and I decide that we need to do something. Anything. We begin to talk excitedly, animatedly, about the possibilities; bowling, movies, and laser tag are brought up and immediately discarded because we're collectively short on cash. Every time, we finally decide to just “take the shuttle and get off somewhere.” Each moment is full of the specific brand of excitement associated with possibility. Even when we board the shuttle and wait under the soft red lights for our destination, the air is charged with an almost tangible feeling of anticipation. At each stop, the driver gets slightly more annoyed with us as we chatter about whether or not we should get off and explore, or stay on until the next one.
Finally, when one of us spots something interesting, or the lights catch our eyes, or it just feels right, we get off the bus and thank the driver on the way out. Our nights start with food, one of the best bonding experiences in my opinion- whether it be fried pickles for the first time or self-serve frozen yogurt with all the toppings, conversation seems warmer in between bites. After we eat, we walk faster and faster, conversing in groups of two or three, and then we stop to enjoy the view. Whatever it may be, perhaps lights on the water or the skyline of the city at dusk, we find places to sit or lean – worn down benches, crumbling ledges, rusty railings – and our words fade into silence for the moment. I never know what anyone else is thinking, but I am always struck by several realizations at once, one after another like a dozen-car pileup. First, that I will never be as young as I am right then. Second, nothing will ever be exactly the same as it is in that moment. Third, the balance of everything as it is currently is so fragile and volatile that it is liable to change at any moment without notice.
My thoughts are momentarily interrupted by the decision to make the trip back to our dorms. The shuttle ride on the way back is more subdued; everyone has been lulled for the night by the fulfillment of our collective desire to adventure. We sit in the lounge for an hour or two, playing card games or talking about what we saw in the city, and then we quietly disperse and go off to bed.
Before I go to sleep, I take the opportunity to continue my train of thought from earlier in the night. The last thing that I always realize is that I should enjoy every moment as it happens. I should live spontaneously. I should find adventures and take every opportunity to do something new. I should stay up late.
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