Honors College Preview

Okay, well, since starting over here at USF in the Honors College, I've done a lot more than I expected I would in the first semester. From the very first Orientation and learning about undergraduate research, which I did know about at the beginning, it excited me to know that I could apply what I was learning Day One. And so from there I started going to a couple workshops as well as talking with people in the Honors College such as mentors like Dr. Bishop and teachers who actually cared about me and what I was doing, rather than my grades. And receiving opportunities such as working at Moffitt as a freshman, I think that was pretty big for me. And to know that I'm just continuing climbing and getting the help and leadership from the Honors College is very encouraging. My classes are largely taught as a seminar style, which means that the number of students doesn't exceed around 20. They are small classroom sizes. The advantages of this are that my students all know each other. I understand my students' positions, where they are intellectually, because I get to interact with them on a far greater basis. I've done all the required Honors Classes, and those in themself are a great thing because coming from the IB Program, I was used to a very strict curriculum, a lot of memorization, busy work, stuff like that, and when you come to these kinds of classes where it's a bit more laid back, with more focus on discussion rather than test scores, it's kind of a relief, because you've been used to this kind of drudging stuff, and now you actually get a chance to be able to learn in a more conducive environment. And I think honestly in those classes, I've gained the most personal and relevant knowledge that will continue with me throughout my life. So I work with stroke and stem cell therapy in the Center for Aging and Excellence in Aging and Brain Repair. Research is probably the coolest thing that I've ever been involved with. It's just really interesting seeing how research is done. You hear about these new techniques that doctors use, and you wonder how these techniques are evolved or how they are performed. So you kinda see the other side of, I guess if you're interested in doing medicine, the other side of the spectrum. So I did the Costa Rica trip two summers ago, and we took the class in Spring and then at the end of the Spring semester we went to Costa Rica for two weeks. For me going to Costa Rica was special because it was the first time I'd been out of the country since I was five years old. So I was really excited to have an out of country experience, especially going with peers of mine who I had relationships with and got to know them better and having that special bond of going to another country. When it came to funding for the trip, luckily being a part of the Honors College they offer travel scholarships and also being in the Honors LLC you get a scholarship there, too, so funding wasn't too bad. Taking a trip through the Honors College first I would definitely encourage because it allows you that close-knit group of friends and peers you can go with and make bonds stronger and getting to know the advisors and people who work in the office better as well, and I think it prepares you for when you want to go out on your own and do a study abroad trip through USF as a whole. It kinda gives that little like putting your feet in the water and getting you a little bit used to traveling on your own and getting that experience out there.