I'm Rohan, and as the semester is just getting started I wanted to tell you guys a little about myself. I'm currently a junior, and I am a Microbiology/International Studies double major. I'm Pre-Med, so of course Microbiology fits very will with my career choice, but the idea of an IAS (International and Area Studies) degree gradually developed over the summer before starting my freshmen year. I've always had an interest in international affairs, and my parents have instilled within me a love for traveling since I was very young. So far, I have been to 15 countries, and plan to add many more when I spend the Spring semester abroad in Barcelona. Every time I travel it becomes more clear to me that many of us live in a bubble in the US, and it would be a waste to spend our lives refusing to see outside of it. Because of this attitude, I decided to give the intro class a try. From there, I was hooked. Being an IAS major has allowed me to take some extraordinary classes from extremely insightful faculty, and although it might not be directly pertinent to my career, I have gained an incredible amount already by being a part of the College of International Studies. In particular, I took a class a few semesters ago called Global Security which gave a wonderful perspective on international affairs, and talked about issues we hear about in the news in a much more culturally relativistic way.
Alexander Zverev, Wimbledon 2017 (personal image)
Aside from traveling, I love to watch and play tennis, which I started playing when I was 11. Although I don't get to play as much as I did in high school, tennis is a sport that you have for life, and I love being able to hit with old teammates and friends when I'm back in town. I also am a multi-instrumentalist, and have recently gotten very interested in producing music. My younger brother is a fantastic singer, and although you would want to cover your ears before you heard me sing, I have grown up playing instruments with him. Now that I have the technology to produce, I love making beats and playing around with software to create new sounds.
Speaking of family, I am a middle child, and I have an older sister who is a nurse in New York City, as well as my younger brother who is just entering his freshmen year at Texas Tech University. After medical school, I hope to move to either California or New York, as I'd like to do my residency in a big city. As much as I love Norman, I've always felt at home in a more urban environment.
Hello Rohan!
ReplyDeleteI love the way your blog is set up, it looks great! I bet you are very busy being a double major and being a part of the Pre-Med program! That is nuts that you have been a fan of tennis since you were 11! I find tennis interesting as well but I am definitely not coordinated enough to play it. I also love to travel and could see myself ending up some place more urban as well.
-Sam
Hi Rohan!
ReplyDeleteIt is so cool that you love to play tennis! I too am a big tennis player and love the sport. I see from your picture that you went to Wimbledon which must have been an amazing experience! I too am on the pre med track and hope to go to a large city for residency. The pre med track is difficult, but I am sure we will both make it it!
- Neal
Rohan,
ReplyDeleteI also love to travel. I think it is amazing how you have grasped how important traveling and exploring the world is. I love music, and wish I could produce it so it is amazing that you have a passion for that. Crazy coincidence - I am also the middle child and my younger brother also just started at Texas Tech! Small world. Excited to read more of your work!
Hi Rohan! It is awesome that you can play tennis and enjoy watching it. I used to play back in middle school, but I haven't found anyone to go out and play with since. You must be pretty busy with your major and being premed, but I bet your life is full of learning and adventure. I am excited to read some of your stories!
ReplyDeleteHi Rohan!
ReplyDeleteWow you have it all: both musically and athletically inclined! I am actually going to be in Barcelona for spring break, so I will see you there. That's amazing you have the opportunity to study there! I actually was abroad in Italy to study organic chemistry after my freshman year. It was an unforgettable experience, and I even met some of my best friends now through it all!
Hi Ronan!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous you have traveled to so many beautiful countries! That is just amazing! I like how you took your passion and decided to take classes on it and build your education on it! You're doing what you love and that is inspiring! I too am an urban gal! I would love to live in California and New York but I just cannot imagine the traffic haha. I hope you have a wonder semester!
Hey Rohan! I really enjoyed learning about you in your blog post, and we definitely have some things in common. I never played tennis, but I've always been a fan. My mom and dad actually play together in a mixed doubles league back home. I've always loved traveling, especially since I've lived in Texas my entire life. I went to Barcelona when I was a kid with my family, but I don't remember much of it, so I might have to go back and check it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Rohan! I have only ever been to one country but it definitely helped me see that we live in a bubble in the United States. Being able to go to 15 countries sounds incredible and eye-opening. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate with your majors, pre-med, and all of your hobbies. Good luck with all of that and everything else this semester!
ReplyDeleteWhat is up Rohan!! I hope the semester is going well for you. Mad respect for the Pre-Med major as I am no where on the level to take that mountain on, but I got full confidence that you will crush it!! Tennis is the bomb and I wished I would have learned more about it while I was younger. Tennis would be such a fun sport to be able to play casually. Good luck the rest of the year and hope everything goes in your favor.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Rohan,
ReplyDeleteI am really impressed with how much you have gotten to travel. I bet each trip has been its own adventure and filled to the brim with interesting stories to tell. Do you have a favorite place that you have visited or one that you are most looking forward to visiting? I have never been outside of the states myself, but I would love to if I get the chance one of these days.
That is such a great major combination, Rohan! When I first came to OU a gazillion years ago (1999), the IAS programs were just getting started, and it has been wonderful to see it keep on growing. Now you are making we want to make a list of the countries I have been to in order to see if I match your 15; I bet I would because I did a lot of see-Europe-by-train back when I was in college, and that meant you could see so many countries even just in one summer! Have you been to Egypt??? If not, you can use your Storybook project as an excuse to go there someday! :-)
ReplyDeleteRohan,
ReplyDeleteI am amazed by your major combination; it sounds like a lot of hard work, so keep pushing through! Also, what countries have you visited? I have recently fallen in love with traveling and hope to visit more countries in my future; with that being said, what was your favorite country that you have visited already? California or New York would be incredible places to move, two of my favorites actually!
Hello Rohan, I think the decision to explore the world is a valuable one that all should make! I know after becoming a Russian major and studying abroad I no longer see things the same, especially in the states. It makes me appreciate a lot of what I have and want to change a lot of things. What language did you decide to study with an IAS major?
ReplyDeleteHi Rohan! You've got a well-written introduction! I think that's awesome that you are a microbiology and IAS double major! That sounds like a great combo and would be very interesting to talk about in the medical school interviews especially with your travel experience! Good luck in this class!
ReplyDeleteHi Rohan! I just studied abroad and I loved every second of it! I am sure you will too. I have a friend in Barcelona right now and he loves it. It is just the prettiest city. You'll have to take so many pictures. In Europe I swear you turn a corner and its prettier than anywhere I have ever been in America. Have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Rohan,
ReplyDeleteThat’s awesome that you’re a multi-instrumentalist — what instruments do you play? Producing/sound engineering is awesome, and there’s nothing quite as satisfying as making almost professional sounding tunes happen in your bedroom or garage. Have you put anything up publicly that we could listen to?
Best of luck with your medical pursuits: it sounds like you’ve got everything lined up nicely, and hobbies to keep you sane throughout!
Best,
A.M.
Hi Rohan!
ReplyDeleteIt was great learning about you through your introduction. Like you, I wish to pursue medicine and hopefully we can both achieve our goals! I love to travel as well. It is amazing how much you traveled over the years. Traveling can teach us much about different people and their cultures. Just writing about it makes me want to go somewhere. Best of luck!
Hey Rohan!
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I am pretty jealous that you have traveled so much! I have always wanted to travel, and hope I get the opportunity to do so soon! Good luck with your major, that sounds really difficult.
Hi Rohan! I love traveling too, and it's so cool to see you've been to so many countries. I totally agree with you that we live in a bubble in the US. I think exposure to other countries is a great way to help people open their minds more and hopefully be more accepting. And I don't think it's bad that your second major doesn't necessarily contribute directly to med school. It's important for people to be well-rounded and educated no matter what they study! I also play tennis, and I am sooo jealous you got to go to Wimbledon. I hope to go to a grand slam tournament some day!
ReplyDeleteHey Rohan!
ReplyDeleteI think Microbiology/International Studies is a really neat combo, have you considered doing any international health advocacy work? I think it's awesome that you've been able to travel, and I agree that it's so worthwhile. Playing instruments is one of my favorite things too, I enjoy playing the drums and guitar. Hope you have a good rest of your semester!
Hello Rohan,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a wonderful family and terrific motivation! I love to travel myself but have not been to near as many places as you have. One of my very good friends lives in Austria and she travels all the time, which makes me want to travel even more. I have been to Sweden, Paris and London. Sweden was definitely my favorite and I plan on going to Austria after graduation, which is this December! whoop whoop! I have never studied abroad but I think it would be a fantastic experience. I wish you the best of luck in school! It sounds like you have a lot ahead of you.
Hi Rohan, it's nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteAs an avid lover of Lord of the Rings, I really couldn't make this comment without a token note of appreciation for your name. Also, as a middle child and a fan of traveling and seeing the world, I think we share some interests. I think it's great that you've chosen a second field of study based just on your own passions and interests, with the goal of improving yourself.
Good luck on the rest of the semester!
Hi Rohan! So you're a double major in microbiology/international studies? Are you planning on participating in organizations like Doctors Without Borders or interested in international medical cases such as epidemics and how it relates to health policies? I think it's great that you've traveled and are passionate about learning about other cultures. You've mentioned sound and software you've played around with? Do you think you might be interested in exploring how sounds affect people's health?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of the semester!
Hi Rohan! It's really nice that you've carved out a niche interest group for yourself at OU--I can't imagine there are many Microbiology/International Studies double majors out there. Your passion for travel and global affairs is evident in your introduction so I hope you find a cool way to combine that with medicine. Good luck on the last few weeks of the semester!
ReplyDelete