"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
~ Andre Gide
In the Spring '22 semester I, along with my first-year honors classmates, was enrolled in the INTB 2014 Cultural Competence course. The curriculum sought to teach us the importance of understanding cultures in order to perform business across borders. It comprised of a 9 day trip encompassing various company visits, guest lectures, and tours in and around San Juan to help us indulge into the true culture of the island. Submission of a learning journal was the final course deliverable and required a reflection on how I was able to find a connect between the class discussions on cultural differences and the trip.
As this trip was focused on getting us comfortable in a different culture, I learned a lot about trying out new things and getting out of my comfort zone. Everything from food to language, was very different than the mainland U.S. and gave me the opportunity to realize and be sensitive to new cultures. I was also able to learn more about the island and its economic and political climate, and contribute by doing some volunteer work for a local non-profit. The sightseeing trips gave me a good idea of what all Puerto Rico had to offer and actually made me start thinking about the ways their tourism industry could be expanded. The rum distillery, coffee plantations, natural caves, and backwaters were all a beautiful sight to take in and interacting with locals tested my skills of effective communication.
This class made me realize the benefit of being adept with different cultures and helped me think about what could be seen as offensive in other countries. This trip inspired me to expand my views and explore new places and take back so many memories and learnings. It taught me the importance of teamwork, patience, and open mindedness. The learning journal for this class also helped me put into words what I experienced and reflect on my time in Puerto Rico.