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Two years ago, a workplace accident snapped the bones in my right foot in half.  After two reconstructive foot surgeries, the doctors still are unsure whether my foot will ever heal.  I have spent more than seven months in a walker, and need more surgery in September.  My mobility issues turned into the greatest blessing of my life, however, because during my recovery, I discovered that the DeafBlind community could use my help in removing mobility barriers more permanent than my own. I started Pup-eye Guide Dog Training School in early 2010.  Pup-eye solves mobility issues for DeafBlind individuals by providing guide dogs that are specially trained for both sight and sound;  this is the only school of its kind in North America.  A graduate degree in accountancy will qualify me to handle Pup-eye’s funding and financials, and that inspires me to go back to school.

I have learned a great deal about myself and what I am capable of doing. I have been able to be a part of things I never thought I would be able to do. One example is a study abroad that I did in Italy. I got to live in Florence Italy for 3 months while studying art and getting credit to bring back to school. I have learned to rely a lot more on myself and that I am able to handle a lot more than I ever thought possible. Going to OSU has been valuable in a way that is hard to put into words. It has allowed me to grow as a person, meet people that I otherwise wouldn't have known, and pushed me to push myself. I am a better person because of my choice to go to OSU.

When I graduated from high school, my head was in the clouds and I felt invincible. I earned the title of Valedictorian with very little effort, but once college hit I found myself unprepared. I barely passed Attic Prose, a 104 Ancient Greek language class, and Chemistry 121 left me shocked! I had never struggled with anything so much in my life. The subsequent Winter Quarter completely broke me down. Chemistry 122 at Ohio State was so difficult and demanding it finally taught me that I did not know how to learn; I did not know how to study. This realization led to a significant amount of self-improvement and unlike my first two quarters, I finished Spring Quarter strong. I took the maximum number of credit hours and scored three As and an A-! My GPA may not be in the best shape at the moment, but I could not be more grateful for the trial I endured this past year. I feel confident and strong again. Knowing my personal learning style is probably the most valuable thing I will learn in college, which is something no textbook could teach.

Starting from back in high school when everyone was stressing over college applications and entrance exams, to those first exciting tours of college campuses, where I was first entranced by backwards-walking guides who never tripped while reciting their encyclopedic knowledge of the school, and then brought swiftly back to reality with their extra-loud announcement about the OSU Condom Club—another friendly reminder to the parents (most of whom were now intently staring at their child with parental XRay vision) that their little angels have all but reached adulthood. Though really, that thought never hit home for me until late into my freshman year while I was juggling classes, bills, and a fabulous array of noxious chemicals in a research lab I volunteer for. I’m gaining real-world experience, networking as if it were my job to, and mostly just doing everything I can to help prepare myself for Medical School. At this stage in the game, you’re here for you and nobody else—If you’re not willing to go that extra mile, then you don’t belong—It’s that simple. I know when to have fun and when to say no; College did that.

It was a long, hot day filled with moving boxes into my small dorm room, which would be shared with 3 other freshman. As my family drove away into the setting sun, I was both excited and a bit apprehensive. It was a new chapter in my life; one that I had planned for throughout high school. I would be living about 3 hours from home, so the visits back home would be few especially since freshman were not allowed to have cars on campus. As my parents’ 16 year-old van disappeared into the horizon; I paused and looked at my surroundings, Ohio State University, home of the Buckeyes. Over the past year, I have not only obtained knowledge in honors engineering, I have also gained new life skills, learned about leadership and community service, made many new friendships and created memories that will last a lifetime. At the end of my freshman year, I even qualified and ran in the 2010 Boston Marathon; an experience that I will never forget. The entire experience was truly invaluable as it was a year of discovery in which I learned about myself: my strengths, weaknesses, goals and aspirations. Go Buckeyes !!!

My college experience has taught me a lot about myself. Throughout these two years I have realized both my strengths and weaknesses. As someone that has always received good grades, I found it hard to talk to professors and ask for help. When this trait negativelly affected my first quarter gpa, I had to make a change. I have gained leadership qualities and a larger appreciation for people. I have always have an individualistic mindset and when I became president of a student organization, that could no longer work. I have learned how to work with different types of people effectively and efficiently. I have also gained a greater love for community, which has led to the decision to go into public service after graduation. College has really bettered me as a person.

The most valuable asset I have gained from my college experience at The Ohio State University is my networking contacts. I have met doctors, student life leaders, lawyers, nationally known professors and historians, atheletes, coaches, and future movers and shakers of the world. These connections are immensely valuable considering globalization and the merging of professional fields. I plan on using these contacts as well as the knowledge gained in and out of the classroom in my academic and professional pursuits after receiving my undergraduate degree. Other than academic/professional connections, I have made many social connections as well. Some of the friends I have made in the past two years I will know for the rest of my life. I can honestly say that I'd take a bullet for many of them, if not all of them. They have helped me and I have helped them on the journey through college. Study parties, encouraging words, academic advice, and a friendly face are always available to me at OSU. I wouldn't trade these connections for the world.

After my first quarter in college, my parents told me they noticed how much more mature I seemed when I returned home. They told me I was an entirely new person. I fully believe that my college experience has helped me mature and grow into a better person. Had it not been for The Ohio State University, I do not feel as if I would be the same person that I am today. Not only has my college offered me wonderful opportunities for personal growth, but it has also offered me an academic education comparable to some of the best colleges out there. My education is something so important to me, and a diploma from any other university would not suffice. The Ohio State University is the best place for me; it is my home away from home.

I came to The Ohio State University not knowing a single person and was 2200 miles away from home. I immediately made friends on the rugby team and got great advice from every one of them. Everyone is eager to help out everyone else in their own way. The campus is so large that everyone has unique experiences; however, anyone can easily find a group of friends and stick with them throughout their stay at OSU. I have learned that opportunity comes with every situation. Even after two torn anterior cruciate ligaments, I have seen that without those surgeries, I would not be the person I am today. Ohio State has taught me to cherish my personality and those traits that set me apart from the VERY large majority. Having been one of the few Hispanic students in the business school, I have learned that everyone has a different view about different cultures and that one must be tolerant of others' views.

I was taught that life's greatest lesson is learned through experience. I feel as though my experience in college would help my previous self by alleviating stress and also would open doors for a plethora of oppotunities. I would give wisdom to my past self so that the future ahead would become visual even then. Illuminating a path towards success and clearing the way of many obstacles so that I may have a easy transition. You can learn from others but the one lesson I have learned is that there is nothing compared to being one step ahead, and that lesson is life's greatest lesson. The lesson in which I would teach my former self.