ALYSSA K.

WHAT IS IT? The University Honors Program at the University of Cincinnati offers an introductory course designed to help new members of the honors program orient themselves with the values of the program while also being encouraged to discover where they can challenge themselves as a member of the larger community. The focus of the class promoted self discovery and awareness of qualities that make a person a "global citizen" which is central to the object of the program. 

 

THE EXPERIENCE Having meaningful experiences is a required part of the University Honors Program. An "experience" can encompass a wide variety of things but they mostly involve volunteering, or a general learning experience. The Honors Program provides students with the option to either pick from experiences that are pre-approved by the program or to design their own experience. Learn more about the experiences I've done 

 

THE 'MINI-EXPERIENCE' Because the Gateway to Honors Course is meant to introduce aspects of the program, students were given the opportunity to design their own mini-experience which allowed them to explore one of their interests and reflect on the growth that came as a result. The mini-experience I completed with my group was focused on Visual, Performing and Literary Art. To read more about my mini-experience in the Gateway to Honors Course, 

 

WHAT UHP MEANS TO ME Like many other students in the Honors Program, doing well academically has always been extremely important to me. And though it would seem that an Honors Program is chiefly for students who excel in academics, the Honors Program at UC challenges students to develeop their own values through experience learning.  In the time I've had in the University Honors Program I've been challenged to look deeper into myself and the skills that I have in order to be able to more effectively take in information and value from the world around me. In just one exercise we did, we took a Strengths and Skills test that highlighted our four strongest skills. My test identified me as being a Learner, Achiever, and having Intellection and Input. Going forward, I'm glad I was able to explore further more about what I want to challenge myself in all parts of my life. A large portion of the class was dedicated to defining what being a "global citizen" meant to each of us as individuals. Being a global citizen encompasses not only knowledge about the world around you, but being able to express empathy and understanding to worlds and people who are different from yourself. Global citizens engage physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally with people and environments in order to learn in every way possible. From this knowledge gained by experience, a global citizen is able to be sensitive to the needs and desires of others and they are able to benefit from the experiences in the way they develop leadership, commitment and understanding within themselves.