1
HONORS SELF- DESIGNED PROPOSAL
Complete this proposal prior to your experience’s start date and upload it in the UHP Database
(https://webapps.uc.edu/uchonorsstudent). Create an experience (“Add a new record”) in the “Tracking Project”
tab and upload your proposal document as an attachment. The deadline for submitting proposals is the 5th of
each month (excluding July).
Proposals are intended to be well developed plans for your experience. However, experiences are exploratory in
nature, and we are flexible with changes throughout the experience. If your experience changes after receiving
approval on your proposal, contact your honors advisor to verify the changes still satisfy the requirements of an
honors experience.
Basic Information
Full Name: Chirau J. Patel
Title of Project: Tausendundeine Essen-Geschichten (1001 Food Tales)
Thematic Area(s): Global Studies
Expected Start Date: 28. December 2015
Expected End Date: 22. August 2016
GUIDELINES
1. Proposal submission timeline: Proposals should be submitted at least one month prior to the expected
start date of the experience. International experiences require at least two months’ notice. Contact your
honors advisor immediately for any exceptions.
2. Proposal length: While the quality of the proposal is most important, strong proposals are typically 3-4
pages single-spaced.
3. Proposal format: Please maintain the proposal format (e.g. headers, layout)
4. Time commitment: Experiences should consist of at least 75-90 hours of preparation, execution, and
reflection. This is approximately equivalent to the commitment of honors seminars and pre-approved
experiences.
REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
All self-designed international travel experiences require two months’ notice and must be at least one week in
length. You will need to provide a detailed itinerary (dates, locations and activities). If participating in
independent travel (not with UC faculty, staff or student group), you must also fill out a Worldwide: Honors
Experience application via UC International.
Additionally, the Student Travel Policy restricts UC-sponsored travel to countries under a U.S. Department of
State Travel Warning. Those who wish to visit a country with a travel warning must seek an exemption through
UC International. Students traveling without a faculty or staff leader must individually request an exemption.
We cannot allow you to count this travel as an honors experience nor can we give you a grant without an
approved exemption.
2
1. Abstract
Briefly describe the experience. What makes this experience personally meaningful? What goals do you have for this
experience? What is your timeline for this experience?
*If you are proposing an international experience, provide an itinerary.
**If you are developing this experience from an existing opportunity (class with a study tour, campus organization, co-op,
etc.) that is not already an honors seminar or pre-approved experience, how will you differentiate your experience from
what is already required of other students?
I always enjoyed learning about where things came from; the history and the culture behind them always fascinated me.
Asking questions about where things came from probably led me on my path to become an engineer. One thing in recent
years that began to catch my curiosity was food. For example, where did something like rye, commonly used for rye bread
come from? What value might it hold today compared to the past? But more importantly, how has a small grain impacted
the culture around it? Or basically how does food define culture?
This last question makes me realize this is something we don’t commonly think about and it’s a question I would like to
find the answers for firsthand. And as I will be abroad for two semesters in Europe for International Co-Op, I couldn’t
think of a better opportunity. I want to learn firsthand how food of a particular area brings together and/or separates
people by asking the local community itself and performing my own research. I would like to see how the food, and the
beliefs and customs that surround them, from a town, city, region, or even the whole country will impact my identity.
And lastly, as a person, I look forward to gain a deeper appreciation for the cultures I’ve grown up in and the cultures I
will be exposed to.
I believe my concentration on these focused areas will allow me to stand out from previous international co-op
experiences. Because many before myself have focused on the work aspects alongside the travel, I want the culinary
experience to be one of the larger cultural and historical cornerstones in this project. In addition, I believe this deeper
appreciation and focus will allow me to expand my horizons as an engineer to new cultural ideas and experiences, and
really see how food can be the gateway to cross-cultural understanding.
I will be leaving around 28. December 2015 and returning around 15 August. 2016. My ideal plan is to start off exploring
Germany for the first four months and thereafter explore the following countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, and
Denmark. As my trip abroad will be nearly 8 months, I will plan on adding more locations throughout the experience.
Within Phase 1 of living in Germany (Late Dec-April 2016) I plan to visit:
Cologne: (Dec—Jan 2016)
Bremen: (Jan 2016)
Heidelberg: (Feb 2016)
Berlin: (Mar 2016)
Munich: (April 2016)
Within Phase 2 of my European Travels (April-August 2016), I plan on visiting:
Austria (April 2016)
 Vienna
Czech Republic (May 2016)
 Prague
Italy (June 2016)
 Verona
 Tuscany
Denmark (July 2016)
 Copenhagen
Within Phase 3, my last month of staying abroad (Aug 2016), I will visit any places that I may have missed or have not
gotten to chance to visit given enough resources. Regardless of the other countries I visit in Phase 2 and Phase 3, I plan on
continuing to build my German food rapport for all 8 months as this will be my main place of residence.
Weekly timeline:
3
3-4 hours a week actively trying to talk to locals in the city I will be present in, to get their suggestions and ideas of what
to try and eat alongside inquiring background of the dish and what it means to them culturally and historically. For
example bartenders, hotel concierges, possibly University students in the area will have good knowledge of the dishes in
the area. I have some sample questions I can ask as well, For instance if I am in Dresden, I can ask “What makes the food
here a Dresden dish? What dishes were originally developed in this city and what came along over time? What is your
favorite ethnic dish? Are there dishes here that may be frowned upon and why, could it be because of the recent
immigration struggle?”
2-3 hours a week (minimum) traveling to different areas in an area and sampling the dishes. This includes traveling to
festivals or celebrating holidays and trying the different foods associated with them. This may vary based on whether I am
in my home city or traveling to other countries in Europe; in other countries traveling will take up much more time,
maybe 10-12 hours.
2 hours a week performing my own research on the dish such as the history and significance I can find myself without
asking my advisor or any of the local public. This means scouring the internet, articles and trips to the library.
1 hour a week disseminating my research and cultural sharing through my blog on Tumblr.
1.5 hours a week working on my self-reflection also through my blog on Tumblr.
Advisor Feedback
Must Include:
Required Revisions:
Effective:
Brief description of the experience
Personal connection to the experience
Identified goals for the experience
Timeline from start to finish
*Itinerary (international experiences only)
**Explanation of differentiated
experience from what is required of other
students
2. Experience Advisor
Identify an experience advisor and provide their contact information. Explain why you chose this person and how you
plan to utilize your advisor for this experience.
Note: Advisor(s) should have knowledge or expertise in an area related to the experience. Honors advisors, undergraduate
students, and family members cannot be experience advisors.
Advisor Name: Alex Hogue
Contact Information: Phone Number: (330) 328-5724. E-mail: Alex.a.hogue@gmail.com
I choose Herr Hogue because he was the Graduate Teaching Assistant during my ICP 6-Week intensive course for
German over the summer of 2015. He is currently a PhD Candidate in the German Studies department at UC and has
studied abroad several times. In addition, he is a very kind and extremely helpful friend who has vast quantities of
information of not only German, but also European culture, history, food, and general advice about living abroad.
I plan on conversing with Alex three to four times a month to give him updates on what I’ve found and see what his
perspective is on my findings. In addition, I would like to hear his recommendations for dishes in a particular area, his
general thoughts and ideas, and to hear his advice on situations I may face.
Advisor Feedback
Must Include:
Experience advisor name and contact
information
Required Revisions:
Effective:
4
Description of why advisor was selected
Specific plans to engage with advisor
3. Connection to Learning Outcomes
List 3 learning outcomes from any thematic area(s). Provide specific activities you plan to engage in to help you make
progress towards the chosen learning outcomes. Describe how you expect each activity to help your progress. Include an
estimated time commitment for those activities.
 Summarize the interconnectedness of geography, history, cultural traits and world issues.
Understanding and researching the history and culture behind a type of food will cause me to not only interact with the
local population in the area to get their perspective but also see what the written historical perspective is and compare the
two. I plan on working on this opportunity by seeing where the particular food was developed, how it impacted history
and continues to do so, and cultural meaning behind it. In addition, many areas may share a similar dish, and as so, I’ll get
the chance to examine the similarities and differences among the regions. Some activities that can help me with these are
food tours offered across Europe and visiting cultural museums. For example, in Germany, there are various food tours in
18 different cities. Likewise there are various food museums across Europe such as gelato, Parmesan, and olive oil
museums in Italy and bread, chocolate, and spice museums in Germany. However I will need to travel, most likely by
train, to these areas and plan on staying in the youth hostels because of the cheaper cost and high interactivity with
international travelers.
As I’ve mentioned earlier in the abstract, I believe this will take 5-6 hours a week by both interacting with locals and
performing my own research.

Demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity by acknowledging the impact of their own identity and the experience
of social norms, customs, or beliefs that are different from their own.
I plan on working on this outcome by delving myself into experiencing Europeans holidays and festivals, but also the
foods associated with them. At the same time, I’d like to examine how American/Indian holidays and festivals compare
and contrast to Europe. For instance, during my stay in Germany, there will be Carnival in February, Spring Festival in
March/April, while in April there is a Wine festival in Verona and a Gelato Festival in Florence in May. Granted I may
not be able to attend every festival, but I will try to attend many as I can and understand what effect these new traditions
and new foods leave on me.
While some American holidays may not be popularly celebrated in Europe, I know “May Day” is the German version of
Labor Day, and I’d like to see how my American version of a cookout compares to a German one, or even if they have
one. In a similar fashion, I go see the Fourth of July fireworks in the United States with my friends and often we’ll eat at
home, in a restaurant, or order pizza and light up fireworks in the backyard. I would like to how Europeans enjoy firework
shows by eating at home, going out, having a picnic, or any other activity.
However, another large aspect I think will impact my identity is seeing how Indian culture may be celebrated in Europe,
especially with the food aspect. For instance I’ve celebrated Shivaratri with my family in February where we fast and eat
only potato and fruit based foods. Likewise I’ve celebrated Holi in the United States with typically North Indian food. I
will be there for both holidays and potentially others, but it will fascinating for me to see how Europeans celebrate these
holidays, what type of food they cater on these events, and really their viewpoint on Indian culture.
I believe this way not only will I partake in new European foods and traditions but also understand the European view on
Americans and Indians.
I believe this will take up between 5 to 12 hours a month because it varies on the number of festivals and holidays in the
month and which country they are in. I imagine because of the length of the festival/holiday itself and amount of time
required for travel, this time for this specific activity will be higher.
5

Demonstrate a sense of empathy, respect, and appreciation for others to build meaningful cross-cultural collaborations
toward mutual growth and prosperity.
I’ve been raised all my life in America, and while half of my culture is composed of Indian heritage, I haven’t necessarily
lived in an area where I don’t know all the customs, traditions, or even have a deeper understanding of the countries
themselves. I believe by trying new food, foreign to myself, whether with co-workers during this international co-op, new
friends I will make abroad, or acquaintances I will have the chance to appreciate someone else’s heritage and culture. At
the same time I see myself introducing American or Indian food to these special groups of people and sharing my
background on these dishes.
Another activity I’d really like to focus on this outcome, and suggested by my advisor Alex, is visiting the smaller
minority restaurants and getting their background and side of the story. I learned over the course of German class how of
Turkish immigrants came to Germany and began to establish their roots in the country. I can go in before or after their
busy times and ask them about their struggles, how they came to the country, and how they’ve overcome or are
overcoming the obstacles, and potentially how food helped them through it. This is just one example, but with the recent
immigration crisis and knowing that a culture isn’t just made up of one race, I’d like to get their perspective. Personally,
as an Indian-American I know the struggles my parents faced as immigrants to the United States and what I’ve faced as a
first generation American. Given the opportunity to share our histories and what we believe makes us ourselves with each
other, I believe not only will my appreciation and empathy grow, but also theirs as well. Even if it’s over a Donerkebab or
some Spaghetti Ice.
I believe this will take 5-8 hours a week minimum because I will be actively trying new food with new company
alongside sharing American and Indian dishes and also approaching minority restaurants to get their story.
Advisor Feedback
Must Include:
Required Revisions:
Effective:
3 learning outcomes explicitly identified
from any thematic area(s)
Examples of activities and explanation of
how each will assist the progress towards
the chosen learning outcome
Estimated time commitment for each
activity
4. Academic Resources Connected to the Learning Outcomes
List 1-2 academic resources you plan to use to enhance your understanding of the learning outcomes. Explain how each
resource connects to your learning outcome(s) and helps you execute your experience. Please include the title and
author/creator for each resource.
Note: Academic resources are professional works that can be used to assist your understanding of the topic. Some
examples are books, documentaries, videos, or research journals.
I plan on using www.bbc.com/travel/europe/germany during my travels in Germany and later
http://www.bbc.com/travel/europe when I begin to venture out to the other countries on my list. I believe BBC is a good
source for reputable media that has featured documentaries and well done stories. One thing in particular I like about their
travel section is that they feature various aspects of culture in cities, including food and history with written articles and
videos. I believe this website gives me some ideas of food to try, history behind the city and potentially behind the city’s
food, and where would there be good places to start my travel plan. As I will be reading and researching multiple articles
on this website, I will reference each author and location in my dissemination.
Deutsche Welle or German Wave is Germany’s international broadcasting service that was I was recommended to from
Alex Hogue. Their target audience is people not from Germany and its media is available through television, radio, and
news articles. But one thing I agree with Alex upon is that I get the cultural perspective from the German side. This
6
includes over several thousand written articles about food and cultural background in Europe which can help me find
dishes, cultural context behind certain food, and food questions to potentially ask people. I will reference these sources the
same way I will reference BBC.
Advisor Feedback
Must Include:
Required Revisions:
Effective:
1-2 academic resources connected to the
learning outcomes
Title and author of each resource
Description of how resources will help
make progress towards learning outcomes
and execution of experience
5. On-going Reflection
The on-going reflection should help you process the experience and progress toward your chosen learning outcomes.
Describe your method for reflecting throughout the experience. Indicate specific reflection questions/topics you plan to
use to guide your reflective process.
Note: A variety of methods can be used for on-going reflection. Some examples are videos, drawings, blogs, songs, and
journals. Reflection topics to consider include your ideas/insights about the experience, connection to other areas of
involvement, and your progress towards the learning outcomes.
While I plan on sharing my dissemination on my Tumblr blog, I plan on also sharing my reflection on my blog as well.
An interesting reflection question for me is what type of emotional experience will the food I try invoke in me? For
instance a key element of reflection is understanding the emotions that arise from an experience. I know there will be
times I’ll be homesick, tired, having a wonderful time, feeling excited, and many other emotional responses and more than
often this can stem from food. For example, I may try an Indian dish in Europe and suddenly be reminded of home and the
memories it could invoke from my childhood or the frozen dishes my mom will pack me for college. Likewise trying a
dessert such as Gelato may remind me of good times with friends after finals when we went to Findlay market for a cool
summer treat. And who knows, with all the new food I plan on trying, I may begin to experience new emotions alongside
the new memories. I would like this emotional reflection to really appreciate what I have in life because food is easily one
of the biggest things we can take for granted. And really getting that appreciation and understanding how I feel, I think
will allow me to grow a little wiser.
One of the things that is difficult for me often is being Hindu, and that often requires a nearly pure-vegetarian diet. Based
off what I’ve learned in German class, Europe is well known for their meat products. I think it would a great reflection
piece for myself to measure how I overcame this conflict in addition to learning to overcome being cautious with new
foods.
The last point I’d like to focus on for my reflection is how food can be applied to my engineering career. Engineers are
supposed to be the innovative type, and more than often we get inspiration from everything around us. If we can use
animals to create products and machines, why shouldn’t I be able to take food and see what ideas or pieces of inspiration I
can come up with?
Advisor Feedback
Must Include:
Method for ongoing reflection
Reflection questions/topics clearly
specified
Required Revisions:
Effective:
7
6. Sharing Your Learning
Describe how you plan to actively share what you’ve taken away from this experience with a targeted audience. Explain
why you chose this specific audience.
Note: While social media can be an effective platform for sharing, only posting on your personal learning portfolio or
social media account(s) does not reach a targeted audience.
One of the things I’ve never done for an honors experience before is discuss recipes on my blog. I think this would be a
wonderful opportunity to describe what I’ve tasted and share a recipe on how to make it, hopefully the local method. I
plan on sharing pictures of the particular food alongside some of the local areas. I may even look into creating fusion
recipes that combine European and American or European and Indian food based off my experiences.
At the same time, I’d like to share the cultural meaning behind the food I will be researching. This will be a good way to
show people reading my blog what I’m trying to both culturally and historically share and understand.
I believe a blog is one of the best ways to share the information I’m going to be collecting. I know friends, family, and
colleagues that will be interested in what I’m learning and instead of a letter or email, I think sharing food, culture,
pictures and history in a nice blog will be both efficient and captivating.
Lastly, when I return, I definitely plan on being active with the future ICP class and Honors students interested in cooping or studying abroad and presenting all the information I came across whether in a presentation, meeting, social
gathering, etc., because nothing gets the attention of a college student better than mention of food, especially food with
some story to it. And I really want to engage with these students because I know myself as a student who is getting ready
to head abroad, I have so many questions. Often it’s a reassuring factor to hear from someone who experienced everything
firsthand and know what to be prepared for.
Advisor Feedback
Must Include:
Required Revisions:
Effective:
At least one method to actively share
take-aways/learning from the experience
A specific audience and why the audience
was selected
7. Budget (if applicable)
Provide an itemized budget and indicate your source for cost information.
*If you are engaged in an unpaid internship or research, please indicate the number of weeks and hours per week you
plan to participate.
50 Dollars for Ground Transportation and Entrance for the Spring PD4081 Program in Köln
I would like to provide some more information about the PD4081 program for what exactly I will be doing in the
first two weeks of my stay. Here is the description from Onestop: This course is an intensive two-week program
in Germany that takes place immediately before students begin their international assignments. The course is
comprised of a combination of classroom and outside activities designed to improve second language skills,
familiarize students with their new surroundings and to provide them with the skills necessary to succeed. During
the course they will visit companies and museums, learn how to use public transportation to navigate a new
environment, and a myriad of other activities which will enable them to adjust to and understand the German
culture.
112 Dollars for Residency and Work Permit Waivers in Germany—I will be paying this fee with the assistance of the
CDC and this will allow me to reside and work during my 8-month stay in Germany.
Further ICP information can be requested by the International Co-Op Advisor Gayle Elliot at elliotgg@uc.edu
8
304 Dollars for Bahncard 50 (this price includes the 19 dollar Bahncard insurance over luggage, sickness, and accidents)The Bahncard 50 is the train card for Germany that offers all fares at half price. This price is for the standard class
and is valid for a year from booking.
Bahncard Information: http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/bahncard/overview/bahncard50.shtml
Insurance for Bahncard Holders information:
http://www.bahn.com/i/view/USA/en/prices/insurances/insurance_bahncard.shtml
8 Dollars for Jugendherberge “Youth Hostel” Membership-This is a membership that will allow me to book into the youth
hostels in Germany and reduced rates in countries that do not require the membership.
http://www.jugendherberge.de/en/basics/membership
88 Dollars for a youth hostel stay in Heidelberg in February for check in on a Friday and check out on a Monday:
Overnight with breakfast
http://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/heidelberg%20international10/booking?bid=29f51df5-72b54ec4-b931-7930de1edbda
89 Dollars for a youth hostel stay in Berlin in March for Two nights (Friday night and Saturday night): City Package. This
includes a breakfast, two packed lunches, and 48 hours of free travel in Berlin and Potsdam
http://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/berlin-international613/booking?bid=2648b639-78da-401a-b3df57da4c5df3d4
94 Dollars for a youth hostel stay in Munich in April from a Friday check in to a Monday check out which includes breakfast:
Bed/s in 6-Bedded Room.
http://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/muenchen-park249/booking?bid=5a92646c-a542-436f-87390018f30c0b5c
150 Dollars-I plan on attending several food tours-For now, I have planned 2 in Bremen, 1 in in Berlin, and 1 in Munich.
The tours are sponsored by eat-the-world founded in 2008. Each tour is about 37.50 dollars.
http://www.eat-the-world.com/en/about-eat-the-world.html
a. Bremen Walking Food Tours-The Bremen Viertel Tour explores Bremen’s trendy district, “Das Viertel” in
Ostertor and Steintor. The Bremen Old Town-Tour is set in main marketplace and the Schnoor quarter.
http://www.eat-the-world.com/en/food-tours-bremen.html
b. Berlin has several tours, but I think I would like to experience the Berlin-Neukölln tour because it features a
heavy international presence, over 160 nationalities in this artist quarter.
http://www.eat-the-world.com/en/culinary-city-tours-berlin/booking/berlin-neukoelln-tour.html
c. Munich has two tours but I believe the Munich Haidhausen tour is a good choice because it combines
tradition and modern culture from the former workers’ housing area to present day culture.
http://www.eat-the-world.com/en/culinary-city-tours-munich/booking/muenchen-haidhausen-tour.html
Flight Cost
1557.31 Dollars for Return Trip from Germany:
https://www.expedia.com/Details?action=UnifiedDetailsWidget@showDetails&rfrr=&c=a1025e22-baa9-4f01a1a2-f06594a990e0&udpDisplayMode=showhotelbanneronly
However because flights to Europe only offer one piece of luggage for free, I am including the additional $100 fee
for the second piece of luggage.
9
Total Budget: 2452.31
Advisor Feedback
Notes:
Detailed budget of expenditures with
sources to justify budget estimates
*Indicates the number of hours per week
and number of weeks of participation
Required Revisions:
Effective:
Submitted the budget for approval to
financial aid.
10
THEMATIC AREA LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcomes for the Community Engagement Thematic Area:
By engaging in this thematic area, you will make progress towards learning how to…
 Identify and differentiate multiple ways to contribute towards the development or achievement of the community’s
goals.
 Develop a thorough understanding of the world view, beliefs, experiences, self-consciousness, or history of
community members through collaboration.
 Articulate the purpose of service on a social issue or public policy and how service mutually enhances individual
growth and the common good.
 Explain how education, advocacy, mobilization, or public policy can influence social issues and transform
communities.
Learning Outcomes for the Creativity Thematic Area:
By engaging in this thematic area, you will make progress towards learning how to…
 Discover new techniques to gain knowledge, consider options, make new connections, and ask questions.
 Explore a new creative competency/medium or seek new ways to engage an existing competency/medium.
 Understand and optimize the use of people, technology, physical resources or community in a creative process.
 Articulate the broader significance of a creative project and the value of its contributions.
Learning Outcomes for the Global Studies Thematic Area:
By engaging in this thematic area, you will make progress towards learning how to…
 Develop practical travel skills that promote safe, stimulating, and productive travel throughout your life.
 Summarize the interconnectedness of geography, history, cultural traits and world issues.
 Articulate the interdependence of professional fields to address current and impending global issues such as technology,
the environment, human rights, or politics.
 Demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity by acknowledging the impact of their own identity and the experience
of social norms, customs, or beliefs that are different from their own.
 Demonstrate a sense of empathy, respect, and appreciation for others to build meaningful cross-cultural collaborations
toward mutual growth and prosperity.
Learning Outcomes for the Leadership Thematic Area:
By engaging in this thematic area, you will make progress towards learning how to…
 Formulate and manage a shared vision and develop goals towards its achievement.
 Motivate and collaborate effectively with others towards completion of shared projects or goals.
 Develop strategies to identify and respond to challenges and obstacles.
 Identify personal strengths and areas of growth and evaluate opportunities to maximize skills and abilities.
 Synthesize the current trends related to a specific issue or field and evaluate how thought-leaders are currently
addressing them.
Learning Outcomes for the Research Thematic Area:
By engaging in this thematic area, you will make progress towards learning how to…
 Demonstrate the ability to locate, interpret, and critically evaluate primary sources appropriate to field.
 Identify and apply appropriate methods to collect and organize data for analysis.
 Analyze and interpret the meaning of results.
 Produce dissemination appropriate to the field in order to share the results or impact of the research.
 Articulate the broader significance of the research project and its relationship to other fields, research and ideas.