Integrative Narrative
When I first came to California State University at Monterey Bay, I knew that I would find a place where I could learn more about my culture and expand my knowledge and understanding. One of the things I looked forward to the most was actively participating in the community and seeing the relationship between the university and the diverse population it serves. I am glad that we have faculty members that focus not solely on academic pursuits but also make social justice an important part of the curriculum.
I chose to major in Spanish Culture and Literature because of one specific class in community college. When I graduated from high school I enrolled in a Pre-Medical program but I knew after one semester that this wasn’t the path I wanted to choose. After one year of community college and not being sure what I wanted to do I chose to take a Chicano Studies class with an emphasis in Ancient Mexico. The rest is history, by the fourth week of school I had already finished the assigned readings for the semester! After transferring to CSU-MB I felt comfortable that this was what I wanted to focus on.
As a native speaker I didn’t conform with my knowledge of the language and I took on the challenge presented in MLO 1 in improving my set of skills. Even though my major emphasis fell to MLO 3 I still worked hard towards fulfilling the language requirements of MLO 2. Both of these Major Learning Outcomes allowed me to achieve my goals in this major.
The World Culture and Languages program enhanced my experience as an undergrad. Because of MLO 4 I was forced to step out of my comfort zone and learn from a culture completely different than the one I was focusing on. This in turn helped me achieve a more well-rounded education.
One of the most fulfilling parts of this experience was the Capstone project and the portfolio. When finishing this portfolio, I looked back at all the assignments and readings that I completed and I realize that the structure behind the Spanish program has helped me achieve a well-rounded education. This became particularly relevant when I began to think about MLO 6. In a world that is increasingly reliant on technology, the proper use of information technology is of the highest importance.
Looking back at my time here I can honestly say that I feel more involved in my community and ready to undertake many future projects thanks to the culture of life-long learning that is fostered at CSU-MB. This is thanks in large part to my experience with Service Learning and with my MLO 5 project. I volunteered at a foster youth agency and it made me realize that the community has needs that go far beyond the economic ones. There has to be a cultural shift in the way we look at volunteering. In my Service Learning class, we saw a video on Voluntarismo in Spain and it makes me optimistic that we can take up the same sentiment here.
My time here has had a profound effect on me, I began my studies here as an environmental science major but I quickly found my calling in the Spanish program. Once I graduate I plan to continue my studies and pursue a post-graduate degree in Latin American studies. One day I will be a professor and I hope to instill the same values that I have learned here in my students. I will look back fondly on my time at CSU-MB but I will use the lessons learned here towards the future.
I chose to major in Spanish Culture and Literature because of one specific class in community college. When I graduated from high school I enrolled in a Pre-Medical program but I knew after one semester that this wasn’t the path I wanted to choose. After one year of community college and not being sure what I wanted to do I chose to take a Chicano Studies class with an emphasis in Ancient Mexico. The rest is history, by the fourth week of school I had already finished the assigned readings for the semester! After transferring to CSU-MB I felt comfortable that this was what I wanted to focus on.
As a native speaker I didn’t conform with my knowledge of the language and I took on the challenge presented in MLO 1 in improving my set of skills. Even though my major emphasis fell to MLO 3 I still worked hard towards fulfilling the language requirements of MLO 2. Both of these Major Learning Outcomes allowed me to achieve my goals in this major.
The World Culture and Languages program enhanced my experience as an undergrad. Because of MLO 4 I was forced to step out of my comfort zone and learn from a culture completely different than the one I was focusing on. This in turn helped me achieve a more well-rounded education.
One of the most fulfilling parts of this experience was the Capstone project and the portfolio. When finishing this portfolio, I looked back at all the assignments and readings that I completed and I realize that the structure behind the Spanish program has helped me achieve a well-rounded education. This became particularly relevant when I began to think about MLO 6. In a world that is increasingly reliant on technology, the proper use of information technology is of the highest importance.
Looking back at my time here I can honestly say that I feel more involved in my community and ready to undertake many future projects thanks to the culture of life-long learning that is fostered at CSU-MB. This is thanks in large part to my experience with Service Learning and with my MLO 5 project. I volunteered at a foster youth agency and it made me realize that the community has needs that go far beyond the economic ones. There has to be a cultural shift in the way we look at volunteering. In my Service Learning class, we saw a video on Voluntarismo in Spain and it makes me optimistic that we can take up the same sentiment here.
My time here has had a profound effect on me, I began my studies here as an environmental science major but I quickly found my calling in the Spanish program. Once I graduate I plan to continue my studies and pursue a post-graduate degree in Latin American studies. One day I will be a professor and I hope to instill the same values that I have learned here in my students. I will look back fondly on my time at CSU-MB but I will use the lessons learned here towards the future.