Retrospective Reflection

This learning goal was probably the most prominent one across my education. Within each of my Honors experiences I had the opportunity to actively engage with the things that I was learning. My achievement of this learning goal is most evident within my second showcase artifact. This public health campaign that I designed as an Honors experience allowed me to be an active participant in what I was learning. I was able to interact with the material while making active decisions about how best to relate the content to my audience and how to emphasize the importance of proactive healthcare. 

I was able to do so specifically because of the opportunity presented to me by engaging with an Honors experience. I completed this project as an Honors contract which is a project done in addition to the course work that I was already completing. For this project specifically, I first did a research project about breast cancer as part of a group project required for my class. Then, I completed this additional campaign using the research that I had acquired during the group project portion. 

By completing the additional segment as part of my Honors experience, I was able to actively engage with my research. Instead of just presenting my findings I was able to build off of my research, generating materials and creating graphics in a way that was able to disseminate information to my audience in the most effective way possible. Overall, this project allowed me to actively engage with my coursework, using creativity and research to create an effective campaign. This is an experience that I would not have had in the absence of being an Honors scholar. 

I am immensely grateful for all that this project specifically has taught me as I feel as though I now have skills for my future career, including communication and information synthesis, that will be incredibly important to me as I continue on in my journey, academically and professionally. 

Being an Honors scholar, I was able to participate in unique experiences that have led to my development as a person and as a student. Throughout my time, I have been able to accomplish learning in all of the engaged learning areas as outlined by the Honors College. The first of these areas is research. I completed two different research projects, one in the area of epidemiology and one in the area of computer science, as part of my Honors education. These were completed as Honors contracts. Additionally, in my senior year, I was able to complete an internship for Honors credit as well. This internship experience consisted of my conducting research and data analysis relating to food insecurity. Throughout these experiences I was able to actively engage with the learning experience of research and build foundational research skills that will be an asset to me in my future career. 

My cultural experience overlapped slightly with my service experience as well. Throughout my three years at IUI, I found a place volunteering at a local church that offered English classes to parents and members of the community in order to engage with my community and earn volunteer hours for the Honors College. In order to better serve those who were interested in classes that also had children, childcare was provided for parents. This ensured that they would have a dedicated environment free of distraction where they could learn English. I found my place serving and giving back to my community here. I was also able to engage with people from different cultures and from different backgrounds. This gave me valuable experience communicating with people from different walks of life, across international and cultural lines. Through this, I was able to learn more about how I as an individual can be a community contributor. I can take my skill set and the things that I know and use those to give back to those around me. Even tasks that seem mundane and unimportant on the outside can open a world of opportunity for others. That is something that I was able to learn through this experience and something I will carry forward with me through the rest of my life. 

Lastly, I was able to use my Honors coursework in the way of applied learning. In the first semester of my senior year, I completed an internship with the YMCA, which I discussed within my third showcase artifact. Through this experience, I was able to demonstrate and apply all of the skills that I had acquired through my education. This included communication skills, research skills, and analytical skills. I had developed all of the skills at some point within my Honors experience. This internship served as a way to apply them in a real world context. Through this, I was able to achieve the engaged learning experience of applied learning and fulfill the corresponding requirement of Honors scholars.