As I entered this year in the fall I knew it was going to be a challenging one. Ahead of me was something I was anticipating since I first enrolled in UC, my first co-op. We had to take classes to prepare us for the Co-op in the spring semester of our freshman year and then when the Fall rolled around it was time to start applying and begin the process. We had to make portfolios, resumes, send out referrals then go through interviews. It was a long, stressful process. I had to go through multiple interviews, and multiple rejections, as I saw my classmates around me get offers and were filled with excitement as they got their dream co-ops and were off to new, thrilling cities. As weeks passed and I went through more interviews I was beginning to panic that I wouldn't be getting a co-op and my mind was going to worst case scenario everyday. One random evening in studio a classmate asked if I had a co-op yet and I said no, then they informed me that their co-op was looking for another intern and that I should apply. I applied and within a few days I had an interview over the phone. I was expecting to go somewhere somewhat close to Cincinnati, or at least within 10 hours or so, but next thing you know I'm signing an offer letter accepting a position in Portland, Oregon. It happened so fast it didn't really feel like it was real until I was flying through the mountain covered landscape surrounding Portland and realized there's no turning back now. 

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The four months working with Works Progress Architecture went by fast and were filled with so many experiences I was not expecting to have, both professionally and personally. From going on construction site visits, joining client meetings, hiking up waterfalls, to even trying raw oysters! It felt like I was stepping outside of my comfort zone everyday and this excited me and inspired me to want to continue to step out of my comfort zone. Now as I am back in school for the summer semester this new found courage has followed me and I continue to want to step outside of my comfort zone and try to become the best version of myself. As I go forward I hope to push myself even more to try new things. I want to feel comfortable being uncomfortable and I know this will help me both in my personal and professional life.

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During my co-op I also began my third honors experience, and which will be my second self-designed experience. This one was to go through the process of learning how to cook and trying to help myself to actually start enjoying it. Before, cooking was always a hassle and I always wanted to take shortcuts to get it done as fast as possible. Through the honors experience I was able to little by little get myself to enjoy cooking more and to try new recipes and try new cooking techniques I had not tried before. 

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This year was full of a lot of growth and exciting new experiences and I can't wait for even more in the future!

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