My multicultural background has influenced my life experiences, joys, trials and triumphs. However, I have not always realized this. I needed to methodically reflect and introspect to come to understand myself and my background. This process began in my Introductory Honors course as we sat and reflected on who we really are in all aspects of our life. I began to realize that my Hispanic background was an important factor in determining who I was. I recall an assignment where I explained when my “inner voice” changed from Spanish to English (Communication Level 1). As insignificant as this seems, it helped me understand the greater context and the nature of my background. In a way, it symbolizes how I had to adapt to my new culture (Self-Awareness Level 1). Exploring the stories of other multicultural individuals during class, some even our local community, helped me realize the similar struggles others shared.

            Being raised bilingual offers many benefits and some drawbacks. However, I did not let those drawbacks hold me back. Exploring my cultural background sparked great interest and desire to practice my Spanish more. This desire to express complex thoughts in Spanish led me to discover Tertulia, a discussion group hosted by Latino Affairs for the discussion of complex political, and personal matters (Communication Level 2). Soon I began to attend more events held by Latino Affairs and many other cultural events.  Attending these with a diverse group of people gave those events a different meaning. It was rewarding to reflect upon the similarities and differences of our struggles and success. Before long, I felt an inherent connection with the other Hispanic students on campus (Self-Awareness Level 2). We all shared important similarities, but there was still great variety in backgrounds and beliefs (Knowledge and Understanding Level 2). Overall, I gained a greater appreciation and interest for a culture which is part of my history and background.

            A well-rounded Global Citizen understands that culture greatly shapes the composition of a person, but also understands other factors play a crucial role.that there are other crucial factors. We addressed some of these factors during my Sensitivity to Disability course. From the beginning, this class offered a unique and challenging perspective on disability. There are many types of disabilities, some permanent and some temporary, some visible and some not, and at any point, everyone is susceptible of acquiring one. Early on we learned that despite physical appearance, belief or creed, a disability can further impact a person’s life further (Knowledge and Understanding Level 2). Many search for a sense of normalcy, compared to others or who they were prior. The class had many guest speakers who shared their experiences living with a disability. Writing down the first thoughts that came to our mind was difficult, but it was helpful to understand where a common, often unconscious, source of bias comes from. However, we learned that we are not defined by these instinctual thoughts. It is by not acting upon many of these thoughts that we learn to be sensible to the differences of others (Knowledge Understanding Level 3). We were challenged to go beyond our comfort zone by interviewing someone with a disability and writing about our experience for our final project. Despite a shared general feeling of nervousness, I felt comfortable for my interview. I could not imagine at the time the blessings that this interview would bring. Part of theA great challenge of this class was coming to terms with my own disability. After interviewing a person with a hidden, cognitive disability, much like myself, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I felt understood. Listening to this person’s story was in many ways therapeutic. I began to realize just how much this person’s identity was shaped by their disability. Reflecting upon this, I also realized the impact that my disability had in shaping who I was, alongside or and despite my cultural background (Self-awareness Level 3). This is the an additional layer of complexity and the reality for many. . Knowing this, however, I have gained a greater understanding of others.

Overall, I learned to be attentive of my thoughts and the consequences these have when they turn into actions. I also learned to be accepting of differences, even if I am uncomfortable or do not understand them. When I think back to this course there are many memorable moments that shaped me as a person.  

I gained a method of understanding and shaping my reactions to the differencesMy experiences as a multicultural individual has given me a better understand of what it means to be a Global Citizen. Nonetheless, the growth I experienced along the way was beyond what I could imagine. As I kept growing and learning I began to ask more challenging questions. Given the circumstances of my multicultural background, and in a way being at odds with what culture I identified more with, I grew interested in the experience of individuals with similar situations (Self-Awareness Level 4). My interest grew to action when I approached the then current Honors Director and shared my thoughts. To my fortune, she had a project that she wanted to implement that would result to be a great fit. She approached multiple domestic students of color in the program and the Equity Ambassador program was born. Together we had the great opportunity to look within our own Honors culture and address ways we could change for the better (Knowledge and Understanding Level 4). We looked at the program application, our mission, and even our title in hopes of finding ways to increase involvement of domestic students of color in our activities and overall enrollment. Because of the impact that the Equity Ambassador program has made and the real world implications that it has, it remains one of, if not my favorite, Honors experience. It is this commitment to genuine diversity that continues to inspire me to understand and share the stories and experiences that make us—now more than ever—Global Citizens.