Hello, fellow bloggers and blog readers!  I am Philip Asamoah of Fishers, IN, majoring in neuroscience.  After a rigorous first year that both taught me a lot and reminded me of how much I have left to learn, I am proud to say that I am continuing in my aspiration to get to medical school for my sophomore year.  I did expect college to be somewhat difficult, and it was by no means a cakewalk.  I had to study and work hard for some subjects in order to get good grades, namely organic chemistry, biology lab, and Spanish.  At the same time, it was not entirely work – I did take time to enjoy all that college had to offer in my first year.  I worked in Dr. Garraghty’s neuroscience lab and learned a lot about lab techniques, I rushed and became a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, the professional chemistry fraternity, I planned events for honors students in Ashton (a dorm) as a community leader in the Hutton Honors Council Association, and I attended a weekly bible study through CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ).  I also went on trips to Chicago (dorm trip) and St. Louis (through the SAC) and watched several productions at IU Auditorium.  Initially, the adjustment to college life – the transition from dependence on my parents to independence from my parents and self-dependency – was difficult.  It is a whole new lifestyle; however, just like all things, through habituation, it became routine and I got used to college life after a few weeks of being at IU.

Right now, I am enjoying my summer and trying to make the most of it.  I am back home in Fishers, and often I find that I don’t have enough to do.  Funny enough, I am anxiously waiting for the new school year to begin because the fun and atmosphere at Indiana University is unlike any that you would get in grade school.  Before I came to college, I could not wait for summer to begin because it was my chance to hang out with my friends and relax.  This year, I wanted to get out of school for the summer too because preparation for finals was very exhausting, and I needed a break.  However, now being in my summer, I realize that I am extremely bored without my independence and the intellectual challenge that comes with college.  My friends here tend to be busy on vacation enjoying their summer elsewhere or taking on a job or internship.  I do have a job selling Dippin’ Dots that I work pretty often, but I personally need more to occupy my time.  Next summer, I would like to go on a medical trip somewhere like Mongolia or Thailand, but, if that were not to happen, I will make sure to take summer classes.  I did apply for two internships that were very selective, and, unfortunately, I didn’t get either.  Still, my biggest regret is not finding better use of my time this summer by engaging in some sort of academically enlightening activity.

Just when I thought my summer was going to be the same daily routine of sleeping in late, going to work, watching movies, and going to bed late, my parents announced a week ago that we are going on a trip to Ghana from July 15 to August 6.  That is great news because a. it gives me something to look forward to this summer and b. I get to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, many of whom I haven’t seen since our last trip in 2001.  If I failed to mention it already, our family is originally from Ghana – I was born there and my parents were born and grew up there.  I am extremely excited to go back again and feel that I am blessed to have such a unique experience to be immersed in another culture – my own!  Yet I have a lot to learn because I grew up in the U.S. for the most part – I did not pick up the language or the traditions, only what my parents have shown me.  I plan on blogging about the trip when I get back for those of you who are interested.

I would like to thank the Scholarship Advisory Committee for making me feel important and providing me with so many great opportunities in this past year to share my scholar experience with some of you who may be potential students out there.  I would also like to thank you, the reader, for checking out my blog.  If you have any questions or comments at all (critiques especially), please feel free to post a message under this blog.  I did IB in high school, took a lot of AP classes, and just recently made the transition to college so I can answer any questions pertaining to that.  I am also fortunate to be a Hudson and Holland Scholar and a Herbert Presidential Scholar so I know about those programs for any incoming freshmen if you have questions for those as well.  I promise my blogs will be more interesting and exciting from this point on, especially with Ghana and my sophomore year coming up.