Undergraduate / Community, Judaism and Leadership - why are you interested in OSU? [2]

Please let me know your thoughts!!!

For seventeen years, I have grown up in a community where you walk down the streets and everyone knows your name. Through the lens of my life, it seems like the perfect place for anyone. But I'm ready for the next stage. That's why I want to go to a place where the family-like feel and abundance of opportunities mirrors that of my hometown.

Through the years, Judaism has become an integral part of who I am. I attend synagogue and read Torah regularly, as well as lead services for the younger children. Although I feel comfortable where I am, I grew up questioning everything, and Judaism is no exception. I feel that The Ohio State University can provide me with that next step, providing me with Jewish history classes, captivating speakers, and an active Hillel and Chabad, which I visited whenever I stayed with my brother when he attended Ohio State.

Growing up, I had plentiful opportunities to be a leader in my community. I was elected as the Regional President of my Youth Group, where I help to provide a voice representing conservative Jewish teenagers. I have been an active leader in Friendship circle, a program where I work with children who are autistic. I believe that The Ohio State University can provide me with new places to speak out such as the Undergraduate Student Government. Although I've never participated in student government before, I find it interesting and an opportunity for me to exit my comfort zone.

The Ohio State University is the place for me to enter the new stage of my life; full of new experiences and opportunities. For me, The Ohio State University represents expansion: a place where I can fully develop.

Undergraduate / Dance-my passion and my emotional outlet! (talents and strengths, academic and other) [5]

QUESTION: Consider your talents and strengths, academic and otherwise. What is one thing you do really well?

I am a dancer. I am one with the music and the music accepts me, for me. Dance is that outlet where I can express myself and be a blank slate each time I put my hand on the ballet bar. When the music starts, my hands rhythmically move. I mechanically start the eight count choreography that has been drilled into my brain. My eyes are closed; I feel the music. The constant change of emotion and position still throws me for a loop even though I have practiced these steps for hours. The music and the steps take over me; I exist in a different world. For me, dancing is a vehicle. It's the way that I reach that feeling: the feeling that the whole world is right, that my life has a meaning, that I can do no wrong. The feeling that lets me inhale deeply and sense God. Inspiring, that's what it is. Every time that feeling overcomes me, I know that there's a reason that I'm here I know that I have a purpose. Dance makes me feel vulnerable when everyone is watching, staring at me, constantly judging to see if I fall out of my triple pirouette or over extend my layout. I give my emotions, my soul, and my passion to the moment and to the steps, allowing me to feel accomplished and satisfied as the music stops.