Name: Binta Minteh

Intended Major: Finance

Pronouns: She/her

 

After reviewing the syllabus and attending the first class, my first impression is that this course will push me to see life in a broader perspective and help improve my critical thinking skills. I’m looking forward to learning more about people’s culture and background on a deeper level. The emphasis on observation and culture stood out to me, and it seems like a class that encourages students to think more internationally about the world around them.

I tend to observe more than I speak, and I read people’s vibe as a way to understand group behavior. I did not realize how this habit ties to ethnography until now. By observing how people interact, I noticed that confidence and familiarity often shape group dynamics, influencing how comfortable people feel communicating and building trust within a group. This made me realize that paying attention to everyday interactions reveals how people connect and communicate within different environments.

Currently, I observe communities around me most through schools and other social settings. I pay attention to how people interact differently depending on who they’re around and how comfortable they feel. I noticed that some people naturally talk more in group conversations, while others listen and jump in when they feel like it. Being in these environments has made me more aware of how culture, personality, and familiarity shape the way people communicate and connect with one another.

I’m excited for the first essay because it gives me a chance to learn more about other cultures. Since I’m usually around people who come from similar backgrounds as me, it’ll be fun learning someone else’s experiences and understanding their culture on a deeper level.