Working as a Leadership Consultant has allowed me to meet and work with so many different types of people throughout the year. Because of the many different programs where I have met these people, I have been able to have conversations about issues that effect individual communities and learn more about those issues. As an individual with privilege in this country, I try my best to be a good listener and understand that just because certain issues don’t effect me, they can and will effect others. Opportunities to hear other’s stories and identities were always there because of the Active Leaders class, Emerging Leaders class, and many other programs that allowed open conversation. The Active and Emerging Leaders classes allowed me to get to know many different people on campus and build relationships through the activities and lessons in those classes.
As an International Studies major, having awareness of the world is very important and this year I have been able to learn from fellow students through the LEAD Office. Outside of the LEAD Office, I have had opportunities to build on my understanding of the world through classes and classmates. As a Teaching English as a Second Language, I have gotten to observe international students studying English. Also, as a TESL minor, I have to take into account how a student’s learning can be affected by their culture and how to teach them in a way that helps them learn.
