Thoughts and final self evaluation

I just went back to my very first post, and it still applies - I still hate looking inwards and self-evaluating!!! BUT!!  While I still may not like that part of this class, and I don't think I did it particularly well, I have REALLY enjoyed the process of educating myself towards other cultures/groups.

If I had to do it over again, I think I would have taken even more opportunities to learn, whether here on campus, or pairing up with some other classmates to go off campus...there are just so many opportunities out there, and when you feel busy with work and the class, it's hard to go out seeking for those opportunities. So I would try to do more.

But each of the experiences I participated in REALLY educated me in ways that were unexpected. I felt like I was a pretty worldly and open minded person, and I am, but I've learned that you can never know enough, that there is always more to absorb, better ways to teach/advise, so many great experiences to still have.

I learned that as much as I think I'm getting to know someone, I can go farther and do better. I can have more empathy. I can realize that there is usually more to the story. I can be more patient, especially at home:) I can learn as much as I can in order to better understand the students I come in contact with each day.

I loved something you said in class, something like "You need to see the differences and similarities at the same time - cross-eyed". This is it in a nut shell, we are all alike and yet we are all different. We need to be able to appreciate and value those differences. We need to always keep in mind that THEIR perspective is not OUR perspective.

Thank you for this class. I was hesitant when I entered, and I go forth with so much more knowledge and understanding. I feel more able to advise my students in a way that is more beneficial to them, and I also really feel that I now have resources and people on campus that I can go speak with when I need to learn more. I am committed to continuing this knowledge adventure this fall and beyond!