Self-Designed Experiences

Some students may find that a Self-Designed Experience will help them to achieve their academic or personal goals. (Note: Self-designed experiences do not include travel.) You can work with your Honors Advisor to draft your Self-Designed Experience proposal. A self-designed experience must involve at least 75 hours of work under the direction of a UC faculty or staff mentor who is familiar with your project. You will need a signed agreement from your mentor before your experience can be approved. During your experience, you will need to document what you do in your Honors Portfolio. Remember to explain the items you post in  your portfolio to document your learning so others can see how they are related to the Honors’ program outcomes. Your experience will be completed when you submit a final reflection for your Honors Learning Portfolio.

• Timeline: Submit proposals by the fifth week of the fall or spring semester before you plan to begin the experience. Only approved experiences will receive UCBA Honors program credit.

• Submission process: Go to the UCBA Honors Program page on Blackboard/Canvas. Find the tab called Experiences. Complete the proposal application available there.

Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk

Assumption of Risks: The Honors Experience and related experiential learning as described below may contain certain inherent risks that cannot not be eliminated. I am aware of the risks, dangers, and hazards known and unknown to me, and I agree individually, and on behalf of my heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, to ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL THE RISKS, DANGERS, HAZARDS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES resulting in or arising from my participation in the experience.

Your submission confirms that you acknowledge that you have read the entire proposal application, that you understand its terms, that you have had the time and opportunity to read and ask questions regarding the application for the proposal, you are fully aware of possible financial aid and tuition implications, and that you have signed it knowingly and voluntarily.

Basic Information

Personal Connection (500 words)

Section must include:

• Explanation of why this Self-Designed Experience matters to you
• Explanation of how this Self-Designed Experience will help contribute to your success as a UCBA Honors Student

Abstract (1000 words)

Section must include:

• Brief description of the experience and explanation of how you will reach the 75+ hours requirement. Include a calendar for your experience that includes when you plan to start and finish.
• Description of risks (if any) inherent in this experience and safety precautions you will take. Proposals that involve too much risk may be rejected.
• Include 2-3 academic references (scholarly books or articles) that support your experience.

Mentor (250 words)

Section must include:

• Self-Designed Experience mentor’s name and contact information
• Description of why mentor was selected
• Specific plans to engage with mentor
• Upload a signed Honors Experience Agreement form with both Mentor and Honor Student signatures

Note: Mentor(s) should have knowledge or expertise in an area related to the Experience and be able to help you craft your Experience goals (below). Preference is for UCBA Faculty members especially if the Experience has a connection to your major and/or an academic area taught here at UCBA. Honors advisors, undergraduate students, and family members cannot be experience advisors.

Goals Related to UCBA Honors Outcome(s) (1000 words)

Section must include:

• Two specific and measurable Self-Designed Experience goals related to chosen UCBA Honors Outcome(s) outlining the intended results/outcomes/achievements
• Two specific personal goals related to chosen UCBA Honors Outcome(s) outlining how you hope to grow as a result of this Self-Designed Experience
• Examples of activities and explanation of how each will assist in the progress toward the goals

Plan for On-going Reflection in Honors Learning Portfolio (500 words)

Section must include:

• Method for a midpoint and final reflection. Mentor should review final draft final reflection with Honors Student before submitting it to the Learning Portfolio.
• List questions you plan to ask yourself to gauge your growth related to your goals as well as understanding of the UCBA Honors Outcomes.