At the beginning of my Honors Journey, when I first heard the words “Global Citizen Scholar,” I pictured something like a

nationally recognized academic group. I didn’t have a personal connection to the phrase at all. As the semester went on, and I learned more about the UC Honors Program, I realized the title doesn’t have one set definition. My own definition changed several times, and it will probably keep changing as I grow. Right now, I think a Global Citizen Scholar is someone who takes initiative, notices a problem, and steps forward to make a difference, big or small. Even small acts of kindness matter. I want to be that kind of person in every part of my life, whether it’s in class, band, work, or at home. Sometimes all it takes is one person to set something positive in motion.

In my Gateway to Honors class, I learned that being in UHP is more than taking special seminars or studying abroad. It

changes how students see the world, understand others, and understand themselves. I’ve learned that people are layered by their culture, environment, and experiences. No matter how well you know someone, there is always more beneath the surface. Realizing this made me appreciate how much talent, perspective, and leadership exists around me. Global citizenship often begins with small, everyday choices. Even a simple act can create a ripple effect that becomes something larger. Most people don’t actively try to make someone’s day better, but if more did, the world would be a much kinder and more productive place.

As a Health Sciences major on the Pre-PA track, this mindset directly connects to my future career. I will work with people from

many different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. It’s important to understand that not everyone thinks the way you do, and healthcare relies heavily on trust and personal connection. Patients depend on you with their health and sometimes their lives. Through my Honors class, I’ve become better at forming those meaningful connections and understanding what being part of UHP really means.

One of my goals moving forward is to build a stronger academic foundation. I want to improve in my science classes, so

starting strong and creating good habits now is important. I plan to use peer tutoring because tutors understand exactly what the classes feel like and still remember the material clearly. I also want to explore the medical field more deeply. I’m especially interested in prosthetics and rehabilitation, but I want to shadow in multiple areas to make an informed decision.

Staying on track with assignments is also important for me. One strategy that helps is using timers. If I have several tasks at

once, I set a 45-minute timer to focus on one thing and then give myself a five-minute break. I also rewrite my notes. I take notes during lecture, then rewrite them in a cleaner format using both mine and a friend’s notes. If I still don’t understand something, I use YouTube to hear the explanation from a different perspective. Sometimes the way someone else teaches it makes everything click.

I’ve also learned how important empathy and patience are, especially in healthcare. Understanding a patient’s situation allows you to support them better. This ties back to global citizenship because helping others effectively often starts with understanding their backgrounds and experiences. Innovation and adaptability are important strengths too. Hospitals are fast-paced environments, and I need to be able to keep up. I’m already working through that in my academic life by balancing classes with my social life and musical ensembles.

I also want to strengthen my work ethic to be more career-ready. I need to take initiative with job shadowing so I can choose

my specialization based on real experience. I’m also working on my communication skills because healthcare requires clear explanations with no room for confusion. To stay on top of my responsibilities, I need to keep up with coursework consistently, avoid last-minute studying, and spread my work out so I’m not overwhelmed.

For future Honors experiences, I plan to study abroad and take an Honors seminar. I’m drawn to programs that explore health

and culture together. One example is the “Democratizing Healthcare” trip to Germany. I’m interested in learning about international healthcare systems and the flaws in health insurance structures. I can’t participate this spring due to credit overload, but I still plan to take it another year or choose a similar program. I’m also interested in Honors seminars on campus, especially ones connected to culture, health ethics, or global health and community care.

These experiences would support my development in different ways. Studying abroad would push me to adapt to unfamiliar

places and communicate with people from different cultures. It would naturally build cultural awareness and help prevent misunderstandings. Honors seminars would strengthen critical thinking about the ethical and social issues within healthcare. They also build writing, reflection, and analytical skills, all of which are important for PA school. Even though studying abroad and taking a seminar are very different experiences, both encourage teamwork, cultural awareness, active listening, and thoughtful reflection. All of these are skills that will help me work with diverse communities in the future.

Looking back, I realize becoming a Global Citizen Scholar doesn’t happen all at once. It develops through moments of growth,

curiosity, and reflection. I’ve grown by setting goals, taking new opportunities, and challenging how I think. I want to stay curious, open-minded, and willing to take on challenges that push me out of my comfort zone. As I work toward my future in the medical field, the mindset I’ve developed in UHP will help me build stronger connections with the people I care for. It will help me grow academically, but also as someone who wants to serve others in a meaningful, lasting way.