Documentation descriptive reflection
The mandatory Gateway to University
Honors Course served to teach me about what the Honors Program stands for, what
it provides, and what it asks of all its members. While in class we covered the requirements in
order to graduate with honors including the yearly requirements to remain in
the program as each student advances with their curriculum. The four thematic
areas of the Honors Program (Community Engagement, Global Studies, Leadership,
and Research & Creative Arts) were made clear and expanded upon. Branching
from this, our class was taught how to take a thematic area and propose
experiences based upon it. I, alongside
fellow first-year honor students, took examples of proposals and discerned what
components make for an approvalable experience.
I was asked to think of creative ways in which I can tailor the
requirements of the Honors Program to suite my interests so that I can grow as
an individual. The knowledge that I received
while in Gateway will be carried with me for the rest of my college career and
beyond. The requirement of five “experiences”
will motivate me to seek out opportunities that I may have otherwise
postponed. The program informed me of several
opportunities provided by the university, many of which I plan to take
advantage of over the next three and a half years. I hope to take the methods and techniques of
reflection and incorporate them into my daily life as to seek better
understanding of the world around me and of the person that I want to
become.
Mock self-designed Experiential Learning Proposal Assignment
In order for a self-designed project to be counted as an "experience", a student must complete and submit for approval a proposal. The process helps the student to gain more from the experience by putting more thought into it. Aside from simply planning, the student is challenged incorporate academic theories and afterwards, to reflect on the experience. This is an example of what that proposal would look like; a mock proposal is made so that -even if a student does not have a self-designed in mind at the moment, he/she is familiar with the process.
Honors Experiential Learning Project Proposal Form Complete this proposal prior to your project’s start date and upload it in the UHP Database (https://webapps.uc.edu/uchonorsstudent). Create a project (“Add a new record”) in the “Tracking Project” tab and then upload your proposal document as an attachment. The deadline for submitting proposals is on the 5th of each month. While the quality of the proposal is most important, strong proposals are typically 3-4 pages in length (single-spaced). Please maintain the proposal format. Basic Information Full Name: Kaitlin Kelley UC Email: [email protected] College: College of Nursing Major: Nursing Title of Project: Serve Beyond Cincinnati Alternative Break Thematic Area (choose only one): Global Studies Expected Project Start Date: December 13, 2014 Expected Project End Date: December 21, 2014 Project Information
The itinerary is not available this far in advance, but there is a rough outline that balances hours of work with hours of exploration. This semi-adaptable schedule allows for structured hours of service with hours of cultural immersion. Because Serve Beyond Cincinnati also collaborates with an organization Homes from the Heart, there is even more knowledge and experience going toward the planning stages of the trip; Students are placed in well-researched areas to ensure their safety. The week-long trip will provide plenty of time to accomplish significant construction on the houses as well as enough time to get a good feel for how the native Nicaraguans live. Being in direct contact with people of a new culture for roughly sixteen hours a day for five days would equate to eighty hours of interaction. This is not including the preparations of learning about the local culture beforehand and the reflections afterwards. I plan to write a journal during my trip so that I can document the events that transpire as well as my thoughts about them. Aside from benefiting the students that partake on the trip, the travel component transforms UC students into ambassadors that can positively influence the way that people in other countries view college students, and Americans in general. I see this trip as a way to change my perspective on how I view the role Americans play in global interactions and responsibilities. Clearly and thoroughly address how each of the following elements will be exhibited in your work: 2. Connection to Learning Outcomes within the Honors Thematic Area (identified above) “Participate in a global society and understand the role of a global citizen” This service trip will show me what it means to be a “global citizen” because I will be participating in a global society. This will bring first-hand experience to what I’ve learned in classrooms about how internationally-connected the modern world is. Physically being in another country will allow for the environment necessary in order to come to these kind of conclusions on my own. The personal interaction with natives will help me to shape my view on how other countries view the United States and how America can alter that in a positive manner. Additionally, I think that this trip will demonstrate how humanity can orchestrate a more united front on tackling issues like poverty in homelessness. This will hopefully be a way to open my eyes and mind up to a new, grander way of thinking on how I, as an individual can contribute to help a cause. “Interact with individuals from different cultures and express a sensitivity, appreciation and respect for the complex range of experiences of diverse peoples” This trip provides a unique opportunity to meet locals in two different capacities: on site while working, and in public while exploring. I think it will be interesting to meet all sorts of different people –something that is common in any type of travel— but to interact with them in such different environments will allow for even more uniqueness; I foresee the type of person and the type of interaction between the people at the work site will vary greatly from that of the people living in the town. While at the work site there will be a certain amount of gratitude in our (the students’) direction because we are there to volunteer our time and labor to the locals’ benefits. I believe that this will be a positive interaction with the native Nicaraguans because there will be a sense of kindness and appreciation that will facilitate amiable connections and open up a dialog between us. 3. Connection to Goals and Academic Theories (include reference list, as appropriate) A. This project connects to my future personal and professional goals. I wish to work as a nurse in disadvantaged countries once I earn my degree. This trip will give me experience with international travel in a service-based environment as well as practice with relating to people from other cultures. As far as personal goals, this trip will help me to become a better-rounded individual with the ability to empathize and relate to others. I cannot know how this trip will affect me, but I can only assume that it will give me a better perspective on how others live, both culturally and economically. I hope to learn these people’s stories when I meet them. I want to know their life and how they ended up in whatever situation they are now. I believe that this will help me in my future career by allowing me to humanize my patients and see them as people that have a background just as full and rich as my own –something that I have observed to be lacking in interactions at hospitals. B. One theory that I will research involves government. Nicaragua is considered a presidential representative democratic republic, quite similarly divided via power as the United States’ government. I find that (while keeping size and number of resources in mind) while both countries are governed similarly, Nicaragua seems to have more issues regarding individual quality of life. I think it would be interesting to see if the subtle differences in government organization and rule plays a significant factor in the everyday life (and quality of life) of Nicaraguans. I will research further the differences between the two governments and the possible corruption of power that each may be guilty of. Which government seems to work the best for the largest number of citizens? In what ways are the governments similar or different? These types of questions will further my growth to better understand the different ideologies of government theory. To eliminate bias, I plan to use several sources from different places of origin. Another reading that I plan to use is Nicaragua In Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture by Nick Caistor and Hazel Plunkett. This book will help me to better understand Nicaragua specifically as its own culturally diverse country so that I can relate with the locals that I meet. This opportunity to gain a background knowledge on the country and its people is invaluable in order to make the sort of reflections I intend to. Before I arrive in the foreign country I will be familiar with their customs and culture so that I have a better understanding of people’s perspectives there. I have seen that most disagreeable situations that occur between two people from different backgrounds stems from misunderstanding and/or lack of knowledge. This book will help me to better understand the history and people (generally speaking) of Nicaragua so that I can make a positive impression on the people on behalf of my home country. 4. Initiative, Independence, and/or Creativity This project shows initiative because I am being proactive about my professional goals. I could simply wait until later years in my college career to expand and live globally (like international clinicals, for example), but I know that a concept as grand as global connection requires as much exposure as possible. One aspect that sets me apart from other participants is my experience with both international travel and service work. Last summer I was given the opportunity to intern in Hong Kong, China, but I had to do so by myself; I traveled independently and learned how to live in a new/foreign environment. This experience has made me a more adaptable traveler which is a valuable skill to have with the unpredictability that trip often have. Additionally, I my history with Habitat for Humanity trips will come in handy on site while working because I will have had experience in that sort of working environment. Hopefully, I will be able to become comfortable with the workload faster than the other participants so that I can help them with any difficulties they may be having. 5. Reflection For this project, I plan on reflecting via journal. I have had success in journaling while traveling internationally in the past in regards to both qualitative and quantitative events. I see journaling as a way to record what happened but also my perspective on those events and what thoughts they provoked; there are so many events that transpire that journaling can help to keep track of. This helps to remember all of them, especially the “smaller” moments. Additionally, a journal helps provide an environment conducive to introspection. Questions that I plan to address while journaling include: · “What is different on this service trip compared to the last two that I took through Habitat for Humanity? Can these differences be attributed to the international aspect?” · “What do I think had to have happened in order for the country to get into this situation in which people do not have adequate housing? In what ways is this happening back in the United States? Or even as locally as Cincinnati?” · “How has personal interaction with the Nicaraguan people changed my perspective on how I view the nation as a whole? What can I discern from this? Were there certain preconceived thoughts that changed, or were there some that were supported?” · “How does their culture vary from my own? What are some aspects of their culture that I would want to emulate into my life/lifestyle?” These questions will allow me to see how my opinion and perspective change as I spend more time in the atmosphere that an underdeveloped country as to offer. Additionally, this will help me to look back to domestic issues and to brainstorm possible ways to fix similar situations in the U.S. 6. Dissemination I plan on sharing my project on my Weebly site as well as at a University Honors Association meeting. The Weebly site is a great place to put my reflection and general summary of my experience because it allows me to share it to a wide arrange of people. I can direct possible employers or just simply interested students to my website to show them my experiences. Anyone looking to possibly replicate the experience (in some form or another) will be able to go online whenever is convenient for them and look at my electronic version of my journal. The University Honors Association holds meetings specifically for dissemination because they realize that it is difficult for students to find an opportunity to share their experience with willing listeners. This is a good opportunity because it provides a platform for public speaking and informing while also sharing ideas for future experiences that can be completed in order to meet the requirement of five. 7. Project Advisor(s) Trip Leaders and Coordinators: Brandon Raabe ([email protected]) and Haley Inniger ([email protected]) This two individuals are my specific trip leaders and have taken on the major responsibilities during the trip including logistics, safety, and special events. They will also help to make sure that the participants get the most out of the trip by planning the days in advance and researching possible excursions to take. The Homes from the Heart contact is Executive Director, Michael Bonderer. He oversees that documents are completed and filed on time and that the operations run smoothly. ([email protected]) 8. Budget (if applicable) The trip, in total, cost $1780 but might fluctuate depending on what flight can be booked when the leaders are searching. Most of the costs go towards travel and accommodations. Because this trip is service-based, costs were kept at a minimum in regards to site-seeing and extravagant excursions. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal. For a more compatible format, a word document is also available |
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Passions
What makes you really excited about life? What makes you want to grow as a person? What are you really interested in? What is your passion? Here's mine:
What?
Film. Film is a broad category for a passion, but that’s what I love about it. There are so many types of films, whether they differ by genre, budget, directing style, or purpose, there is usually something to be taken away from each story. And that’s what a film is: the telling of a story. It’s a method of storytelling that grows and evolves with both society and technology. Personally, I don’t describe my favorite films based on genre, but on purpose. Some films transport you to another world, some provoke questions, and some make you appreciate life more. Most everyone can tell when a movie is made simply to make money for the production company: the actors are poor but beautiful and the plot is lacking but filled with either fast cars, explosions, or sex. I find that a quality film has nothing to do with budget or ticket sales, but with emotion. If it can evoke some sort of emotion, it has done its job. After all, isn’t it an art form? And isn’t that what other mediums of art do? Without drawing feeling from the audience, what has the piece achieved? I watch new films in order to understand different perspectives, to question how/what I currently think, and to change how I go about my daily life. It’s amazing how, within a span of 80-150 minutes, your view on this world and all of its complexities can change.
So What?
My passion of watching and evaluating films has helped to develop me as an individual. In addition to taking a “moral” away from a story, I take perspective as well. On topics that are considered a “gray area” or controversial, I have found that witnessing different sides of the story help me to empathize with the opposing argument. Although a story may be fiction, there are always elements of truth and reality within it which allows for reflection. It’s more than an escape from reality.
My brother was the first person to show me movies with mature character development. Before him, I was stuck in the Disney phase. This was nice, but didn’t really make me think on a different level. It was when I realized that there isn’t always a happy ending that my interest sparked in film. So many different avenues are opened once the director can veer from the “happily-ever-after” path. This allows for more creativity and originality. When I see something of these qualities, it inspires me to be creative in my own life. I take different routes of thought to try to tackle problems. Watching films gives me experience –of sorts- to learn from or to implement into my life.
Now What?
The great aspect of my passion is that I can continue engaging in it for the rest of my life. Regardless of physical ability or age, I can continue to evaluate methods of storytelling. If anything, as I grow and change I will approach my viewings with a different perspective.
If I could expand this passion further, I would choose to learn more about the process of film making. Through brief overviews in a high school class, I have I slight understanding of how certain techniques are carried out, but would definitely like to learn more. Especially with the evolving technology, there is plenty to be taught in the world of film making. I find it interesting how the innovations of style can change with simple tweaks to a preexisting system. This type of ingenuity yields for interesting forms of art.
What?
Film. Film is a broad category for a passion, but that’s what I love about it. There are so many types of films, whether they differ by genre, budget, directing style, or purpose, there is usually something to be taken away from each story. And that’s what a film is: the telling of a story. It’s a method of storytelling that grows and evolves with both society and technology. Personally, I don’t describe my favorite films based on genre, but on purpose. Some films transport you to another world, some provoke questions, and some make you appreciate life more. Most everyone can tell when a movie is made simply to make money for the production company: the actors are poor but beautiful and the plot is lacking but filled with either fast cars, explosions, or sex. I find that a quality film has nothing to do with budget or ticket sales, but with emotion. If it can evoke some sort of emotion, it has done its job. After all, isn’t it an art form? And isn’t that what other mediums of art do? Without drawing feeling from the audience, what has the piece achieved? I watch new films in order to understand different perspectives, to question how/what I currently think, and to change how I go about my daily life. It’s amazing how, within a span of 80-150 minutes, your view on this world and all of its complexities can change.
So What?
My passion of watching and evaluating films has helped to develop me as an individual. In addition to taking a “moral” away from a story, I take perspective as well. On topics that are considered a “gray area” or controversial, I have found that witnessing different sides of the story help me to empathize with the opposing argument. Although a story may be fiction, there are always elements of truth and reality within it which allows for reflection. It’s more than an escape from reality.
My brother was the first person to show me movies with mature character development. Before him, I was stuck in the Disney phase. This was nice, but didn’t really make me think on a different level. It was when I realized that there isn’t always a happy ending that my interest sparked in film. So many different avenues are opened once the director can veer from the “happily-ever-after” path. This allows for more creativity and originality. When I see something of these qualities, it inspires me to be creative in my own life. I take different routes of thought to try to tackle problems. Watching films gives me experience –of sorts- to learn from or to implement into my life.
Now What?
The great aspect of my passion is that I can continue engaging in it for the rest of my life. Regardless of physical ability or age, I can continue to evaluate methods of storytelling. If anything, as I grow and change I will approach my viewings with a different perspective.
If I could expand this passion further, I would choose to learn more about the process of film making. Through brief overviews in a high school class, I have I slight understanding of how certain techniques are carried out, but would definitely like to learn more. Especially with the evolving technology, there is plenty to be taught in the world of film making. I find it interesting how the innovations of style can change with simple tweaks to a preexisting system. This type of ingenuity yields for interesting forms of art.