Emily Fassbender

Preferred Pronouns: She / Her / Hers 

Major: Child and Family Studies/Psychology

Interests: I love working with kids, volunteering, trying new foods, and watching movies.

Class Year: 2025

Involvement:

Member of Child Life Student Organization, Member of Project for the Kids, Learning Community Leader, Afterschool Leader for Kids on Campus, Member of the OHIO Honors Program

Why is experiential learning important to you?

I believe that experiential learning is a great addition to our education, and it gives people the chance to explore their future careers. I would not be in the major that I am in if I didn’t have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning in high school. The exposure was invaluable, and I believe that everyone should have the chance to gain this experience.

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO?

Experiential learning has taken my learning to a completely different level. The information that I study in my classes becomes real when I am in the field working with people. Rather than case studies and textbook examples, I get to encounter real people and their stories. It also helps me put into perspective how important the information is that I am learning. Everything from my classes comes alive, and I see how I will put what I am studying into practice.

Tell us about one of the experiences that you feel demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Europe. It opened up an entirely new world for me. So many of my perspectives were changed after spending time there. The different cultures were amazing, and one of the things that I learned a lot about was the different obstacles they face. It really showed me how different each person’s situation is and how important it is to take the time to understand each person whom you are working with so that you can provide the best care for their needs.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

In ten years, I will be working in a children’s hospital. I’m planning to start at the Cleveland Clinic after graduation because it is close to home, but I hope I get the chance to branch out. I’d love to travel and end up on the West Coast or even in Europe! Hopefully, I will be improving the lives of each child that visits and their families. I want to really make a difference in the lives of the people I work with.