HON 201- Global Citizenship Essay
In the Intro to Honors course, I was exposed to the concept of global citizenship for the very first time. When the term was first addressed to me in class, I thought that it solely included studying abroad or learning how to write and speak in a different language. Through taking this course, I came to realize that achieving global competence is of greater complexity than the two skills listed above. I learned that in order to achieve global citizenship competence I need to facilitate a global mindset through an understanding of intercultural communication and ability to work in a group setting. I became aware that adaptability is the key to success when someone strives to be globally competent. I need to be adaptable and willing to participate in situations that are related to cultures that are different than my own. I achieved level one and two of self-awareness by realizing my role as a member of a culture, and demonstrated emerging awareness by recognizing the boundaries of my own culture. I achieved level one and two of knowledge and understanding by detailing my experience of attending and asking questions about other cultures at the Mankato Area International Festival in my artifact. This class provided me with the opportunity to better understand the concept of global citizenship, and laid a framework regarding the steps I need to take to become a globally competent citizen. I know that in order to achieve my goal of becoming a globally competent citizen I need to continue to interact with various cultures in the future.
Studying the Spanish Language
SPAN 210W
Final Project
SPAN 310
Cultural Project
Establishing a knowledge base of a second language is a crucial aspect of the global citizenship competency. I declared a minor in the Spanish language, which was accompanied by a variety of courses that centered around cultural traditions, communication, and composition. In the SPAN 210W course, I completed a final project that consisted of choosing a self-captured image that provoked a personal connection in my life. My personal connection led me to assess and reflect on an image of children in an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The purpose of my project was to discuss the history of the orphanage and the importance of a stable home for a child growing up in Latin America. This project led me to achieve level one of communication by establishing an emerging level of cultural understanding in regards to verbal and non-verbal communication through peer interactions. I continually practiced the communication portion of the global citizenship competency through peer interactions, Spanish club, and on campus events. I utilized the foundation of the Spanish language that I developed earlier in my undergraduate career to complete the SPAN 310 course. This course focused on the elements of conversation and composition. I developed an individual cultural project that consisted of a written and oral component discussing the tradition of Semana Santa in Spain in comparison with that of the United States. I achieved level three of knowledge and understanding by interviewing Dr. Torner as my informant because I was able to ask questions about his culture and family values in relation to Semana Santa. I met level three of self awareness by recognizing my own perspectives on the research I completed and the information provided by my informant when comparing this to my own culture and the manner in which I celebrate Holy Week here in the United States. One example of how the two celebrations differ is that in Spain on Easter Sunday they slaughter, ceremoniously present, and consume an entire lamb. This was particularly difficult for me to understand because I was always taught that the lamb was sacred in the Catholic church and that it represented peace and serenity during the Easter season. I accomplished level three of communication by processing my second language of Spanish during the informant interview and in the oral component of the presentation of my final project to my peers. I continued to progress in studying the Spanish language by pursuing a study abroad experience and a final upper level Spanish course. I relied on the foundation I developed early on in my studies to facilitate successful and effective communication among culturally different individuals. The courses and experiences I took part in while at MSU allowed me to expand my language proficiency and cultural understanding of the Spanish language as a whole.
HONR455-Practicum of Study Abroad in Cuenca, Ecuador
Study Abroad
Journal #1
Study Abroad
Journal #2
Final Project
During the May term of 2017, I had the opportunity to study abroad in the country of Ecuador. I was located in the city of Cuenca, but I had the opportunity to travel within the southern region of Ecuador through cultural immersion experiences. This trip allowed me to pursue my passion of interacting with individuals of a culture that is different from my own. I experienced significant personal growth through my full immersion into the Hispanic culture. I was challenged in my personal prejudices of varying cultures when living with a family and experiencing a culture different than mine. I lived with a host family that consisted of an older mother, her two daughters, and a dog. This family dynamic was different than what I was used to seeing in a household in the United States. This helped me achieve level four of self-awareness because I was immersed in a family dynamic that was different than my own. I had never previously lived with my own grandmother and her daughters. I was able to develop further understanding of this family dynamic through my attendance of a family Mother's day event with the entire extended family. I came to understand that the older individuals in the country of Ecuador are greatly favored and appreciated. During this experience, I attended classes 5 days a week and I was challenged to ask complex questions about the Ecuadorian culture. These classes were highlighted by cultural immersion programs that involved local cuisine, dancing, history, travel, and religion. I was continually exposed to a variety of different individuals within the same culture, which allowed me to formulate an increased understanding of cultural norms and values of the locals. I achieved level four of knowledge and understanding by partaking in opportunities while living abroad that pushed me to interact with culturally different individuals. I also achieved level four of communication because I was practicing and speaking the Spanish language during the entirety of my 4-week study abroad experience. I was motivated to recognize difficult verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that were common in their culture. For example, my host family would utilize slang words that I was unaware of prior to this experience such as "guagua" which stands for little girl when they were interacting with individuals within their own family and community. Also, many of my classmates originated from locations all around the world, which included Ireland, Switzerland, and France. Among my peers, it was necessary to practice accurate and comprehensive nonverbal communication skills as we were often communicating in our second language of Spanish. Overall, this experience taught me that I need to be confident in my ability to speak the Spanish language, and that it is okay to not know the proper way to interact within a newfound cultural situation.
International Poetry Recital
During the Fall 2017 semester, I was completing the course SPAN 365-Selected Readings when I was presented with the opportunity to partake in the International Poetry Recital. It took place in the auditorium on campus and was highlighted by the recital of numerous poems that were spoken in a variety of languages. The poems that were recited consisted of both original writing and reciting other individuals work. This experience helped me grow in my communication component of global citizenship because I performed the translation of the poem from English to Spanish. I have attached my translation of the poem along with a photo that was displayed as imagery during my recital. I achieved level four of communication by reciting the poem in front of a diverse group of people that consisted of professors, students, and community members. This achieved level four because I had the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures. I was immersed in the verbal and nonverbal communication of individuals from all over the globe. I experienced the raw emotion and visuals of cultures that were different than my own. This provided me with a diverse and complex understanding of the differences from my own culture and cultures that were previously unknown to me. I was required to provide an accurate translation of the poem, which was a perfect way for me to practice my writing and information synthesis skills. The portrayal of the emotions and themes behind the poem was also vital to the recital in its entirety. This allowed me to practice my nonverbal communication skills by portraying the cultural differences that were underlying in the poem I recited. I completed this experience with a feeling of connectedness and unity among the individuals involved in the Mankato multicultural community.
Global Citizenship Synthesizing Essay
I have established a personal motto in relation to the global citizenship competency that is “think globally, act locally”. A globally competent person is one who finds different ways to get involved within their community and around the world. The achievement of global competence is reached when a person utilizes a skillset that includes a concept of time, understanding of the nature of intercultural communication, degree of formality when interacting with different cultures, and ability to cooperate within a group working towards a joint goal.
In the Introduction to Honors course, the concept of global citizenship was presented to me for the very first time. I quickly learned that global citizenship is far more than the study of a second language. I came to realize that establishing a global mindset is crucial to achieving global competence. I had the opportunity to practice a high level of adaptability by placing myself in cultures that were different than my own. My attendance of the Mankato International Festival during this course allowed me to explore the boundaries of my own culture, while opening my eyes to the diversity present within our campus community.
Studying the Spanish language has helped me establish a knowledge and understanding foundation, which has been vital to the development of the global citizenship competency. Over the course of 10 years, I have greatly improved my language proficiency and level of cultural awareness associated with the Hispanic culture. I had the opportunity to learn about the history and functioning of orphanages in Hispanic countries, while simultaneously comparing them to those in the United States in the Spanish 210W course. The composition and conversation skills that I learned in this course assisted in formulating an individual cultural project in Spanish 310. This project was centered around increasing my cultural understanding and awareness of the tradition of Semana Santa in Spain through an informant interview, academic research, and personal comparison. My communication skills were also tested in this course through the completion of a lengthy informant interview with a native speaker. My communication skills were also tested in this course through the completion of a lengthy informant interview with a native speaker. My progression in learning the Spanish language continued by completing the remainder of my upper level coursework and a 4-week study abroad term. I was challenged to practice and effectively communicate among my peers and native speakers throughout my undergraduate career.
Studying abroad during the May term of 2017 provided me with the opportunity to utilize the Spanish language foundation that I built in my lower level language courses. This 4-week culturally immersive experience took place in Cuenca, Ecuador. My personal prejudices of varying cultures were tested through the full immersion into a cultural situation that involved living with a host family. I took part in classes every day of the week that challenged me to explore the complex questions about the Ecuadorian culture. I also experienced regular cultural immersion programs that involved local cuisine, dancing, history, travel, and religion. My language literacy and communication skills greatly improved through continual practice of the Spanish language through the entirety of my experience.
During the Fall 2017 semester, I was presented with the opportunity to participate in the International Poetry Recital. This event took place on campus and brought together individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds. I grew in my communication abilities by performing a translation and recital of a Spanish poem. I need to convey accurate verbal and nonverbal communication to the audience. The portrayal of the emotion of the poem was a critical aspect. I learned that even when I may not know the language, I can listen and view the recital of the poem to capture the emotional and diverse nature of each and every poem.