My name is Alexander Rodriguez, my pronouns are he/him, and my intended major is Business Management and Administration. I really enjoyed our first class; it was quite interesting, particularly the discussion section, because I got to listen to my classmates’ opinions on the questions and I enjoyed sharing with them. Overall, it was a good bonding moment because it made me feel less isolated and connected to my classmates. I originally felt isolated due to my poor social skills, stemming from my lack of social interactions in the past, but when I took the initiative to speak, it helped break the ice a little and I feel like I can better relate to my classmates now.

 I have used both observations and reflections to try to understand others better. Recently, a friend was talking to me online about a traumatic event they faced, and I was quick to react and made comments that weren’t mindful of how they felt, so I took a step back and started being more attentive and considerate of how they felt. After they finished speaking, I reflected on the comments I wanted to make and made sure they were helpful and not insensitive. This experience helped me learn that mindful words that consider how a person is feeling and being attentive can make a major impact. 

I’m a person who is always interested in new cultures. It helps me learn about new traditions, perspectives, and different ways to cook. Recently, I’ve been more exposed to my boyfriend’s Chinese culture and I love how caring and generous they are. When I visited for New Year’s, his aunt was so eager to share food with me, making sure that I could try everything and his mom gave me generous portions to take home. 

During this semester, I’m excited to learn how to better express myself and navigate complex coursework. I’m looking forward to the Portfolio and Self-Assessment assignment because I made a new resolution that I would fix my brain-rotting habits and better articulate myself, so this assignment alongside other alongside other future assignments will allow me to reflect and measure my growth. Thank you for reading. I’m very much looking forward to connecting with my classmates on a deeper level and writing essays.