I’m Brayan Bravo, but you can just call me Brayan, I go by he, him and his. Right now, I’m studying Economics, and I’m thinking about adding a minor in Psychology. It’s really changed how I look at observation, reflection, and understanding human behavior.
Before taking this course, I never really considered observation and reflection as formal research methods, but I’ve used them in some pretty impactful ways in my life. A big example is when I helped start a permanent folklórico dance group. While trying to find and keep a space to practice, I met a lot of different people who didn’t share my race or religion. Since I was stepping into spaces that weren’t originally mine, I realized how important it was to observe first and approach others with respect. I made it a point to honor their beliefs and practices, which helped us build mutual understanding and coexist peacefully. This taught me that cultural awareness, patience, and respect are key when dealing with differences.
These days, I’m engaging with various communities through campus activities, cultural organizations, and everyday interactions. Being part of folklórico has opened my eyes to how traditions hold history, values, and identity. I often see how different cultural groups can share the same space while still holding on to their unique beliefs and practices. It really highlights how culture and environment shape behavior and interactions. My interest in psychology has pushed me to think more about why people act the way they do and how their social settings influence them.
What I’m really looking forward to in this course is figuring out how to turn these real-life experiences into structured ethnographic research. I’m especially curious about how culture shapes views on social and cultural issues and how individual stories connect to bigger patterns. Conducting interviews and writing cultural profiles feels significant because it focuses on people’s real experiences rather than assumptions. Overall, I can’t wait to develop my analytical and reflective skills and gain a deeper understanding of the communities around me.
