Introduction
Capstone gave me a wide range of activities and experiences to be involved in. Some of the within the classroom experiences I decided to partake in were capstone only University 290, and ENGL102 classes. One of the more prominent within the class experiences was my University 101 class. This course was a capstone only section. This allowed for me to meet some fellow peers in the Capstone Scholars program. For some of the beyond the classroom experiences, I have been involved in is research in dyslexia, I joined a pre-medical fraternity, and I am involved in a local bible study. One of the more cherished experiences I have had from beyond the classroom was my medical mission trip I took to Honduras with fellow Capstone Scholars students. I traveled with 7 other students and got to shadow doctors in a rural clinical setting.
Within the Classroom
University 101 was the class that truly helped me get acclimated to college, especially from being out of state. The course kept me informed of different events happening on campus like career and job fairs, soda city, and the tiger burn before the big Clemson game. This course helped me learn numerous things about myself I didn't know about before college. For example, we did a 30 Values activity in class and reflection on our most important values. This was an interesting activity because I had never been asked to narrow down some of the things that are most important to me. The 30 Values activity showed me what I value most, and how these values can help me better understand what I want to do in the future in regard to my career.
Additionally, we did a career exploration in class, and I felt that this activity was extremely beneficial because it helped me see all aspects of my future potential career that I am interested in. I did my career exploration on being a surgeon. From this activity I was able to see how many years of education it would take, the average salary, and how my work/home life would look like. This assignment, along with the presentation, further solidified my yearning for medicine and desire to help those who are in need.
Beyond the Classroom
Going abroad to Honduras was the best experience I have ever had. When I first got the email about this incredible opportunity, I was excited but nervous. I did not know what to expect and had never been out of the country without my parents. I pursued this experience particularly for the medical part of the trip, but this opportunity taught me so much more than just that. I could go on and on about this experience, but here are a few takeaways. The week was filled with God’s love, incredible individuals, and personal growth. My experience in Honduras is invaluable and describing it won’t even do it justice. We went to various communities and saw 955 patients in just 5 days! Being able to see the lasting impact that week had on individuals has left my heart so full. The compassion, resilience, and gratitude I have seen through various people taught me profound skills. It put into perspective the significance of accessible healthcare. Honduras gave me a new sense of purpose and commitment to serving others - and filled an emptiness I didn’t even know existed. This was single-handedly, one of the best experiences I could have done for myself - personally and professionally. Honduras will forever hold a special place in my heart, and it was a steppingstone for my future endeavors. I am already planning for the next one!
Connections
One of the deepest connections I have had through the Capstone Scholars program was the medical mission trip to Honduras and my University 101 course. In my U101 class, I discovered that I had a deeper desire for medicine, and service to others who need it most. Traveling to Honduras really put this into a global perspective for me. I learned about my future career for helping others in my career exploration assignment in class and had a hands-on experience with this in helping others in Honduras. In my University 101 class we also learned a bit about culture and diversity which was vital information to keep in mind when traveling outside of the United States.
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Multiple activities we did in our University 101 class was in groups. This emphasized the importance of teamwork. Being able to collaborate in a group setting is critical for working effectively in a mission setting. When I went to Honduras, I didn't know what to expect in regard to how the clinic would run. Bringing in my teamwork and adaptability skills from my U101 class helped the clinic in Honduras run smoothly.
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Both of these experiences, University 101 and Honduras, helped me grow in ways I would've never thought I would be coming into college. I reflect on both of these encounters nearly every day. They played an essential role on my college experience, and I will be taking them with me as I enter my last two years at USC and into my professional career.
