- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
My STEP Signature project was a study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain at the Catalan Institution called Universitat Pompeu Fabra. I studied at this university for a semester and I was in Catalonia for nearly 4 months studying Spanish, learning more about the culture, and expanding knowledge about politics and international diplomacy. In general, it was a very life-changing experience because many Americans never study abroad let alone travel outside the country (64%); furthermore, I learned more about myself and what I want to do in a future career.
- What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
When I was in Barcelona I had an amazing experience. I lived in an Alpha-city. This is a global city or a world center that has an important node in the global economic system. It is a link in a major economic region of the world economy, it has superior infrastructure, many businesses and corporations, and is an area that is diverse and multicultural with many immigrants. Nevertheless, I also learned more about Spain, Catalan culture, the EU, and spent a lot of time with the Erasmus generation (Young European Union citizens that are studying abroad at other state member colleges). I practiced my Spanish way more on a regular basis, whether it was with my friends, reading, watching movies/TV, writing, or thinking. I truly learned how to immerse myself into a society that is not my homeland, learn the local expressions, and handle situations in a language that is not my native tongue which was really interesting and satisfying. Not only did I learn more about Hispanic/Catalan language and culture, but I also learned more about politics.
The current situation of Catalan independence movement is a bit messy right now. While I respect the desire and want for autonomy and freedom, I also learned the importance of the European Union. The EU is a massive semi-federal and international organization that is one its own kind created to ensure political and economic unity after the destruction of WWII. Globalism and internationalism triumph nationalism according to this unique project. Furthermore, a good portion of European citizens identify as global citizens.
After this experience, I definitely identify as a global citizen. That is a realization that truly changed my identity that changed my perspective on my nationality. As Thomas Paine once said, “my country is the world, & my religion is to do good.” I truly know this is my mission in life. We live in an age of globalization and we have solutions to world contemporary issues regardless of social geography. My mission is to help promote world peace and reduce poverty. I know that good diplomacy can achieve these goals whether it is working for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), (United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Development Fund, etc. World citizenship places an emphasis on helping humanity and improving our world regardless of nationality.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
My interactions at school, with my friends, and family all helped me grow. The biggest impact I had while in Catalonia was when I attended the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. This institution is ranked number two in Spain. So, I received excellent instruction from very qualified professors. I studied literature, cinema, and art. Additionally, I took a globalization and social cohesion course and European Union and Society class. These two political science courses made me more knowledgeable about the world, political institutions, political actors, official development aid, etc.
Not only did I learn much from class, but I also made many new friends. They helped me broaden my horizons with international perspectives. I had friends from Spain, Catalonia, and the EU, and the US. My European friends definitely told me about concepts I would never have learned. For example, the complexities of laws between member states and the EU, the perks of being an EU citizen, and reasons for why Brexit happened. This knowledge cannot be simply found on the news or answered from google sometimes.
Finally, I also had my host family. While they were American expats and not Spanish, they lived in Barcelona for 30 years. They gave a good comparative perspective and two kids born and raised in Spain. I spoke Spanish often with my host mom to help practice and enjoyed talking to her about culture. They gave me great advice about what to do and see in the city and in the region like museums and parks. Overall, my social interactions helped me with my personal development.
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.
Originally before the trip, I wanted to work for domestic politics or to be an immigration lawyer in the USA. Now I would say that I view my future career differently. Due to current events and a changing political atmosphere, I want to keep more of my options open. I would love to keep my career more related to international affairs, foreign policy, and poverty reduction with official development aid.
After my experience, I would definitely consider myself a big advocate for free trade, yet also reducing poverty and inequality. While globalization does make everyone better off, it also increased relative inequality in the world. My goal after college is to try to reduce this contemporary world issue. I can see myself working at multiple places such as think tanks in Washington D.C., the UNDP in NYC, the European Development Fund, or the USAID. I want to work on official development aid reforms to help ensure that there are increased funds and effectiveness of the money that we spend to reduce poverty on a global scale. I also realized the importance of American diplomacy in foreign policy. American influence after the Cold War has been to help develop other nations and to make the world a safer and prosperous place. Overall, I am confident that I can accomplish these goals and I am glad that I studied abroad to change my perspective and career paths to a more concrete route.