Experiential Honors Proposal
As part of the freshman Gateway to Honors course, we had to write up a self-designed experience. Ideally these proposals would be entered and approved. I never entered this proposal, but I have entered one very similar to it.
University of Cincinnati Honors Experiential Learning Proposal
Name: Nicholas G. Herrmann
UCID M#: M03948112
UC Email: [email protected]
Phone: (513)607-9716
College: McMicken Arts & Sciences
Major: Biology/Spanish
Title of Project: Intensive Language and Culture Immurements in Mexico
Expected Project Start date:Mid-June 2011
Expected Project End date: Mid-July 2011
Project information
I would like to study abroad in Costa Rica to study two courses throughout part of the summer. I plan to take a Biological Costa Rican Diversity course and a course fulfilling credits for my Spanish degree at the Universidad de Costa Rica.
1) Substantial Content and Quality within Global Studies Theme:
Biology is fundamental to our existence on Earth. Different areas have different plants and animals that thrive in that area. For example corn is a crop tat is grown and eaten here in the United States and although it is important it is not a huge part of non-rural culture. Corn in Central America is seen as a source of life and even worshipped in some sects. The way that people respond and work with their ecosystems is different in every country. A trip to Costa Rica would provide sufficient knowledge in both of these areas. The Biological Diversity Course, Diversidad de Biologia de Costa Rica, would give sufficient knowledge about specific biology, while a general Spanish language course would allow me to interact with native speakers in Costa Rica. The goal, being that of understanding biology and culture in Costa Rica, would be obtained through taking these courses and through daily living at the University.
An exact itinerary will be provided at a later date, as plane flight schedules will vary.
2) Connection to Academic Goals and Theories
Coursework within the two courses provided by the Universidad de Costa Rica fit directly into my planned course majors. Biology will be covered in detail through a biological diversity class specifically concerned with Costa Rica’s rich, diverse ecosystems. These included but are not limited to: rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, mangroves, and coral reefs. I find this great array of ecosystems, not found in many places of the world, to be of great interest.
Since before I started taking Spanish as a foreign language in high school, I was always intrigued at the ability to be bilingual. In addition I find Hispanic culture, with as wide as it is, to be more interesting than traditional European cultures. Thus my desire to learn the Spanish language and culture was born. They say that to learn a language fully one has to be immersed in the people and culture that speaks it. There is so much to learn outside of the classroom. I want to become completely fluent in conversational and some academic Spanish in my month of travel. Not only would I enjoy the atmosphere and learn from it, but I will take home a fuller understanding of this language to use in my overall professional goal: to become engaged in the practice of medicine. Significant knowledge of biology and language will allow me to reach a wider patient base and to connect with many of those native Spanish speakers who otherwise would be lost in a mainly English speaking US. In the medical field, I also plan to get involved with Doctors Without Borders, and a second language will certainly be of use. Both disciplines are covered in this trip and I see it as a vital part of my learning here at UC.
3) Initiative, Independence and Creativity:
This project will be of my own doing, and I will be in charge of setting up meetings and finding flights, classes, and housing while in Costa Rica. Most likely this will be a project that I will take alone, thus forcing me to branch out of my comfort zone. I believe that the unique combination of Biology and Spanish will set this project apart from any other project I would take that would only concern one of my two majors.
4) Reflection & Dissemination:
This experience will be of great benefit to my personal knowledge, but I will not recognize or fully realize what I have learned unless I am able to share my experience with others.
Undoubtedly I will make a note in my e-portfolio of the trip’s details (including photos ), personal experiences and opinions, people and relationships I made, and major concepts I learned from the academia.
Throughout the project I plan to keep a daily journal on my computer. This way I can type out my thoughts more rapidly than on pencil and paper and when finished I will be able to upload my journal to the e-portfolio.
However, unless I present to a class, there will be only a small number of people that read about my experience. I plan to present to a Spanish 101 class in the fall, since I believe that they will be the most attentive audience. Although many students may want to fulfill their requirement, there are also those that genuinely are interested in the language. I will explain how one can have this amazing experience while still not an upperclassman. The presentation will include an overview of my trip, photos and experiences, and a way to let students find a way to organize their own trip.
5) Advisor:
The advisor for this experiential learning project will be Professor Rodriguez
Mail: [email protected]
Office: 513.556.5783
481 Brunstein Hall
6) Budget:
Flight to Miami International Airport (RT): $250
Flight from Miami to Costa Rica: $450 (RT)
Tuition, Living Fees: $4000
ToTal COST: $4700
University of Cincinnati Honors Experiential Learning Proposal
Name: Nicholas G. Herrmann
UCID M#: M03948112
UC Email: [email protected]
Phone: (513)607-9716
College: McMicken Arts & Sciences
Major: Biology/Spanish
Title of Project: Intensive Language and Culture Immurements in Mexico
Expected Project Start date:Mid-June 2011
Expected Project End date: Mid-July 2011
Project information
I would like to study abroad in Costa Rica to study two courses throughout part of the summer. I plan to take a Biological Costa Rican Diversity course and a course fulfilling credits for my Spanish degree at the Universidad de Costa Rica.
1) Substantial Content and Quality within Global Studies Theme:
Biology is fundamental to our existence on Earth. Different areas have different plants and animals that thrive in that area. For example corn is a crop tat is grown and eaten here in the United States and although it is important it is not a huge part of non-rural culture. Corn in Central America is seen as a source of life and even worshipped in some sects. The way that people respond and work with their ecosystems is different in every country. A trip to Costa Rica would provide sufficient knowledge in both of these areas. The Biological Diversity Course, Diversidad de Biologia de Costa Rica, would give sufficient knowledge about specific biology, while a general Spanish language course would allow me to interact with native speakers in Costa Rica. The goal, being that of understanding biology and culture in Costa Rica, would be obtained through taking these courses and through daily living at the University.
An exact itinerary will be provided at a later date, as plane flight schedules will vary.
2) Connection to Academic Goals and Theories
Coursework within the two courses provided by the Universidad de Costa Rica fit directly into my planned course majors. Biology will be covered in detail through a biological diversity class specifically concerned with Costa Rica’s rich, diverse ecosystems. These included but are not limited to: rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, mangroves, and coral reefs. I find this great array of ecosystems, not found in many places of the world, to be of great interest.
Since before I started taking Spanish as a foreign language in high school, I was always intrigued at the ability to be bilingual. In addition I find Hispanic culture, with as wide as it is, to be more interesting than traditional European cultures. Thus my desire to learn the Spanish language and culture was born. They say that to learn a language fully one has to be immersed in the people and culture that speaks it. There is so much to learn outside of the classroom. I want to become completely fluent in conversational and some academic Spanish in my month of travel. Not only would I enjoy the atmosphere and learn from it, but I will take home a fuller understanding of this language to use in my overall professional goal: to become engaged in the practice of medicine. Significant knowledge of biology and language will allow me to reach a wider patient base and to connect with many of those native Spanish speakers who otherwise would be lost in a mainly English speaking US. In the medical field, I also plan to get involved with Doctors Without Borders, and a second language will certainly be of use. Both disciplines are covered in this trip and I see it as a vital part of my learning here at UC.
3) Initiative, Independence and Creativity:
This project will be of my own doing, and I will be in charge of setting up meetings and finding flights, classes, and housing while in Costa Rica. Most likely this will be a project that I will take alone, thus forcing me to branch out of my comfort zone. I believe that the unique combination of Biology and Spanish will set this project apart from any other project I would take that would only concern one of my two majors.
4) Reflection & Dissemination:
This experience will be of great benefit to my personal knowledge, but I will not recognize or fully realize what I have learned unless I am able to share my experience with others.
Undoubtedly I will make a note in my e-portfolio of the trip’s details (including photos ), personal experiences and opinions, people and relationships I made, and major concepts I learned from the academia.
Throughout the project I plan to keep a daily journal on my computer. This way I can type out my thoughts more rapidly than on pencil and paper and when finished I will be able to upload my journal to the e-portfolio.
However, unless I present to a class, there will be only a small number of people that read about my experience. I plan to present to a Spanish 101 class in the fall, since I believe that they will be the most attentive audience. Although many students may want to fulfill their requirement, there are also those that genuinely are interested in the language. I will explain how one can have this amazing experience while still not an upperclassman. The presentation will include an overview of my trip, photos and experiences, and a way to let students find a way to organize their own trip.
5) Advisor:
The advisor for this experiential learning project will be Professor Rodriguez
Mail: [email protected]
Office: 513.556.5783
481 Brunstein Hall
6) Budget:
Flight to Miami International Airport (RT): $250
Flight from Miami to Costa Rica: $450 (RT)
Tuition, Living Fees: $4000
ToTal COST: $4700