The goal of the Global Perspectives Certificate (GPC) is to recognize students for their international studies and activities and encourage students to continue their global interests both overseas and within the United States. Because of my international work experience and passion for learning about other cultures, I decided to pursue the Global Perspectives Certificate at NC State. I hope to one day work for an international company so that I can apply my passions for international collaboration in the workplace. Read below to see my senior reflection on the GPC and how I fulfilled all of the Global Perspectives Certificate Requirements.
Senior Reflection Questions
How do the international experiences you have gained while pursuing the Global Perspectives Certificate complement and enhance your academic program (major/minor and other course work) and campus life (living/learning villages, clubs and student organizations, volunteer work)?
One of the main responsibilities of a Human Resources professional is to encourage and ensure diversity in the workplace. While some professionals may see this responsibility as just a requirement, I believe that diversity can be so beneficial to any organization. One experience in particular that helped me come to this realization is when I worked as the HR Intern for Docendo in Valencia, Spain. Being in a foreign workplace and interviewing over 70 Spanish candidates helped me to understand the Spanish culture through a professional setting. Diversity allows for various perspectives to be heard and improves creativity and innovation in decision making. Throughout my global experiences, I have been able to collaborate and socialize with people from all over the world which has opened my eyes to the various point of views that exist within other cultures. These experiences have also allowed me to connect with people no matter where they come from and seek out relationships with others on campus that I may not have otherwise pursued if I did not see the value in understanding other cultures.
Reflect on your experiences abroad, coursework, co-curricular and service activities. What are the “linear themes” you have learned that connect these opportunities? How have they helped you understand the interconnectedness of the world and global affairs? Provide examples.
Throughout my experiences abroad, I have been fortunate enough to travel to over 20 countries. With each new country I checked off my list, a common theme was apparent through them all: even though our world is so large, you can always find someone with connecting similarities. For example, I once attended a music festival in Croatia which is known to have people travel from all over the world to attend. All of the attendees proudly represented their countries through patriotic attire and flying their country flag, yet we all shared the same love for music. During this music festival I built relationships with people from all over the world, learned about so many different cultures, and taught others about my own culture. No matter where someone is from, we are all connected in some way, shape, or form. All it takes is a bit of effort to understand others and to find those similarities. I plan on working for a large global company so that I can use my skills to connect others and bring awareness to the benefits of understanding other cultures. In relation to the world and global affairs, I think that many current global issues could be solved if the leaders from countries involved would give more of an effort to communicate with one another and understand each other's culture.
What were your perceptions about cultural values and norms in other countries before you began your international experiences? How do they compare to your own culture and U.S. culture? How have they changed your feelings and behavior in situations with people from other cultures?
The first time I went out of the country was on a People to People Student Ambassador trip in June of 2011. I was only 13 years old, and had little to no experience with cultural differences before departing. Prior to this trip I believed all of the common stereotypes broadcasted on media sources because that was the only exposure I had to other cultures. This compares to the U.S. culture because many people in our county do not have the desire to explore new places and never have the first-hand experience of interacting with those from other cultures. Once I was abroad I experienced a lot of culture shock and homesickness, but was able to overcome those fears by connecting with locals and other students on the trip. Because of the positive experiences I had with locals and how much I enjoyed learning about the positives of other cultures, I set out to continue learning about life in other countries through various abroad trips such as my volunteer trip to Tanzania in 2017 and my Internship abroad trip to Spain in 2018. During both of those trips and through my studies, I have made a constant effort to understand life in other cultures and now appreciate the unique differences that each culture has to offer.
Why do you think it is important for students to “internationalize” their studies and everyday lives? How will you continue to do so in the future?
You hear it all the time—those who study abroad agree it was the best experience they’ve had, and those who don’t agree it is their one regret. It is SO important for students to internationalize their studies because it allows for them to see the world in a different perspective. Personally, my abroad experiences have allowed me to diversify myself and see the good in everyone rather than assuming the common stereotypes that take over mainstream media and other news outlets. By internationalizing my coursework, I was able to view other countries and cultures through an unbiased lens. One class that really had an impact on my world view was STS 323- World Population and Food Prospects. In this class we learned about living conditions in third world countries and came up with solutions on how to fix those issues. Working towards solving these issues would not only improve the lives of those living in third world countries, but it would also create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world for us all. I will continue to internationalize myself in the future by pursuing a career that will allow me to interact with people who come from other cultures and by feeding my passion for traveling whenever I have the opportunity to do so.
How have the experiences and insights you have gained changed the way you see your own role in this global society?
Thanks to social media, internet access, and global news coverage, the world is more connected today than it ever was before. In this global society, events around the world can significantly impact anyone's day to day life. My global experiences and insights have helped me realize that my role in this world is to stay updated with current happenings and to share those events with the people around me. Additionally, I believe it is my responsibility to continue learning about different cultures so that my understanding and respect for those cultures can be transferred to others that I interact with. Thanks to my international experiences and coursework, I believe that I make a great advocate for connecting people across the globe. I hope that in the future everyone can see the value in exploring the world and relate those experiences to their own lives.
One of the main responsibilities of a Human Resources professional is to encourage and ensure diversity in the workplace. While some professionals may see this responsibility as just a requirement, I believe that diversity can be so beneficial to any organization. One experience in particular that helped me come to this realization is when I worked as the HR Intern for Docendo in Valencia, Spain. Being in a foreign workplace and interviewing over 70 Spanish candidates helped me to understand the Spanish culture through a professional setting. Diversity allows for various perspectives to be heard and improves creativity and innovation in decision making. Throughout my global experiences, I have been able to collaborate and socialize with people from all over the world which has opened my eyes to the various point of views that exist within other cultures. These experiences have also allowed me to connect with people no matter where they come from and seek out relationships with others on campus that I may not have otherwise pursued if I did not see the value in understanding other cultures.
Reflect on your experiences abroad, coursework, co-curricular and service activities. What are the “linear themes” you have learned that connect these opportunities? How have they helped you understand the interconnectedness of the world and global affairs? Provide examples.
Throughout my experiences abroad, I have been fortunate enough to travel to over 20 countries. With each new country I checked off my list, a common theme was apparent through them all: even though our world is so large, you can always find someone with connecting similarities. For example, I once attended a music festival in Croatia which is known to have people travel from all over the world to attend. All of the attendees proudly represented their countries through patriotic attire and flying their country flag, yet we all shared the same love for music. During this music festival I built relationships with people from all over the world, learned about so many different cultures, and taught others about my own culture. No matter where someone is from, we are all connected in some way, shape, or form. All it takes is a bit of effort to understand others and to find those similarities. I plan on working for a large global company so that I can use my skills to connect others and bring awareness to the benefits of understanding other cultures. In relation to the world and global affairs, I think that many current global issues could be solved if the leaders from countries involved would give more of an effort to communicate with one another and understand each other's culture.
What were your perceptions about cultural values and norms in other countries before you began your international experiences? How do they compare to your own culture and U.S. culture? How have they changed your feelings and behavior in situations with people from other cultures?
The first time I went out of the country was on a People to People Student Ambassador trip in June of 2011. I was only 13 years old, and had little to no experience with cultural differences before departing. Prior to this trip I believed all of the common stereotypes broadcasted on media sources because that was the only exposure I had to other cultures. This compares to the U.S. culture because many people in our county do not have the desire to explore new places and never have the first-hand experience of interacting with those from other cultures. Once I was abroad I experienced a lot of culture shock and homesickness, but was able to overcome those fears by connecting with locals and other students on the trip. Because of the positive experiences I had with locals and how much I enjoyed learning about the positives of other cultures, I set out to continue learning about life in other countries through various abroad trips such as my volunteer trip to Tanzania in 2017 and my Internship abroad trip to Spain in 2018. During both of those trips and through my studies, I have made a constant effort to understand life in other cultures and now appreciate the unique differences that each culture has to offer.
Why do you think it is important for students to “internationalize” their studies and everyday lives? How will you continue to do so in the future?
You hear it all the time—those who study abroad agree it was the best experience they’ve had, and those who don’t agree it is their one regret. It is SO important for students to internationalize their studies because it allows for them to see the world in a different perspective. Personally, my abroad experiences have allowed me to diversify myself and see the good in everyone rather than assuming the common stereotypes that take over mainstream media and other news outlets. By internationalizing my coursework, I was able to view other countries and cultures through an unbiased lens. One class that really had an impact on my world view was STS 323- World Population and Food Prospects. In this class we learned about living conditions in third world countries and came up with solutions on how to fix those issues. Working towards solving these issues would not only improve the lives of those living in third world countries, but it would also create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world for us all. I will continue to internationalize myself in the future by pursuing a career that will allow me to interact with people who come from other cultures and by feeding my passion for traveling whenever I have the opportunity to do so.
How have the experiences and insights you have gained changed the way you see your own role in this global society?
Thanks to social media, internet access, and global news coverage, the world is more connected today than it ever was before. In this global society, events around the world can significantly impact anyone's day to day life. My global experiences and insights have helped me realize that my role in this world is to stay updated with current happenings and to share those events with the people around me. Additionally, I believe it is my responsibility to continue learning about different cultures so that my understanding and respect for those cultures can be transferred to others that I interact with. Thanks to my international experiences and coursework, I believe that I make a great advocate for connecting people across the globe. I hope that in the future everyone can see the value in exploring the world and relate those experiences to their own lives.
International Experience
For my international experience requirement, I worked abroad in Valencia, Spain during the summer of 2018 as the Human Resources Intern at Docendo. This experience opened my eyes to how different cultures can affect business norms as we know them and change communication in the business setting. In Spain, work hours were adjusted to include "siestas" in the middle of the day, a 2-3 hour work day break for families to go home for lunch and spend time with their families. Work-life balance is highly valued, and vacation time is plentiful and encouraged to be used. Since I was in charge of the entire recruitment process for Docendo English I was also able to notice many differences in the hiring process such as changes in resume formats and the relaxed environment of interviews. Outside of work, I experienced a large language barrier, different types of food and meal times, and the Spanish desire to build relationships with everyone you encounter through friendly interactions.
Academic Courses
Four courses with strong international emphases must be taken to qualify for the Global Perspective Certificate. GPC students must take at least one course each of the following three categories: African, Asian, and Latin Studies, European and Eurasian Studies, and Modern Global Issues. I took the following courses:
- ANT 332- Cultural Anthropology
- FLS 201- Intermediate Spanish
- STS 323- World Population and Food Prospects
- COM 392- International Communication
- BUS ***- Spanish Culture and Internship Experience
Service/Volunteer Activities
Childcare Volunteer Project in Arusha, Tanzania
In December of 2017, I volunteered in Arusha, Tanzania for three weeks through International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). I worked with the owners of the Venance Day Foundation to create a sustainable plan to raise money and keep the daycare open. This experience really opened my eyes and spiked an interest in me to make a constant effort to understand and learn about other cultures. You can read more about my volunteer abroad trip on the "Travels" page of this website!
In December of 2017, I volunteered in Arusha, Tanzania for three weeks through International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). I worked with the owners of the Venance Day Foundation to create a sustainable plan to raise money and keep the daycare open. This experience really opened my eyes and spiked an interest in me to make a constant effort to understand and learn about other cultures. You can read more about my volunteer abroad trip on the "Travels" page of this website!
Co-Curricular Activities
Students must complete 30 points or roughly 30 hours of co-curricular activities that are carried out domestically.
- La Noche De San Juan is a a celebration of the beginning of summer in Spain. It is a huge festival everyone in the city comes together on the beach to make bon fires, listen to music, and swim in the ocean. There are also many vendors who attend. The festival starts at sundown (around 9pm) and goes on until the sun rises. Myself and other students tried to attend the festival the entire time, but we got too tired and only stayed until 3am. Some things I learned about the Spanish culture was their love for celebration, how Spanish daily schedules differ from the American schedule, how this festival is considered a national holiday in Spain, and how the Spanish people can run so effectively with lack of sleep! It really helped me understand why siestas are so popular and at times necessary to get through the day.
- Half the Sky Movie viewing- This movie is based on the book "Half the Sky." The movie talks about turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide. When watching this movie, it brought me back to my time in Tanzania and I could relate to the living conditions and ways of life which I experienced while I was there. The event relates to my future career and life interests because it spoke about ways we can help these women, and I want to help others in impoverished countries by continuing to participate in volunteer work throughout my life. I also learned about other countries which I have not visited and how some living conditions are similar to what I experienced in Tanzania.
- Raleigh Greek Festival- The event included live music, dance performances, cooking demos, a Greek marketplace, a mini Orthodox Chapel, pastries, food, and drinks. This was the 37th annual Raleigh Greek Festival. I chose to attend this event because my Grandmother (or YiaYia—in Greek) came from Greece, and so the Greek culture has always been a big part of my life. The food, shows, and marketplace were all very educational about the Greek culture and made me want to learn more about it—especially since it is part of my own culture too! In fact, after the event I began looking into trips to Greece and was able to convince my family to vacation there this coming May. I am very excited to take what I have learned from this report and apply it to my interactions with Greek people when traveling through Greece next spring.
- Timbuktu film screening- The movie screening taught more about the cultures in the Sahel and Sahara and recent conflicts in the region. This movie screening was one of the first experiences I had to learn more about Western African Culture and inspired me to pursue more learning about this region... which lead me to go on to my Tanzanian volunteer trip in 2017. I learned about the lifestyle, celebrations, and culture of western African people by attending this event.
- NCSU Islam Fair- Attending the Islam Fair was a very interesting experience which allowed me to learn more about Islamic culture. At the start of the event a speaker stood up and began by reciting an Islamic saying. Then, in English, he explained that this is an honorable greeting in their culture. Rather than a typical “Hello, how are you?” this greeting is meant to bring peace and blessings from God and it captures the beauty of their religion. This experience opened my eyes to other religions in the world. I was raised by a strong Catholic family and had attended Catholic school K-12, so learning more about this religion inspired me to challenge my own faith and learn more about other faiths in the world.
- Buba Coffee Tour- Attending the Buba Coffee tour gave an insight on a coffee business in Tanzania and how one man, Buba, makes a living on doing what he loves. The business is run just by Buba, and we went to help him pick coffee beans and watched him make the coffee from start to finish. It was inspiring to see how this man was able to create a life of sustainably through a business, and has expanded his business to sell within his town and in surrounding villages. As a business student, this experience relates to my future endeavors because I would like to help others like Buba become self-sustainable through creating businesses.
- Maasai Tribe Tour- This tour allowed me and other participants to experience what life is like for Maasai people by directly immersing ourselves into their culture and village. We were welcomed with a traditional Maasai ceremony where the men and children sing and dance for guests. We then learned about their marriage customs, how they use goats to trade for things instead of money, and about men and women duties within the tribe. After that, we toured the women’s market and were encouraged to look through their handmade jewelry/crafts. I even bought a few bracelets to take home with me. Next, we watched the men slaughter a goat to cook us for dinner, a symbol of honor and welcome for guests. We were encouraged to drink the goats blood, which the Maasai people believe makes you stronger. (I did not drink it, but many other participants did!) Then we ate the goat, and ended the day with a campfire and singing traditional Maasai songs.
- Planning and Facilitation of the NCSU SHRM October 2018 Meeting- As the VP of Professional Development for NCSU SHRM, I planned the October meeting for the chapter. The meeting focused on cultural communication in the workplace. We had two games in the beginning, a professional come present, and two students (one of them being myself) present about our abroad experiences. The planning and execution of this event helped me in my future endeavors by confirming my love for learning about and teaching about other cultures as well as event planning, organization, and training skills.