Final Reflection on Learning

Everyone who knows me knows I talk a lot, and I love to have fun. Lots and lots of uninhibited fun. haha. I would say I'm generally outgoing and outspoken. And yes, I actually am casual about almost everything. I love talking to everyone and anyone and I try my best to make people feel comfortable around me even if we've never really spoken. In fact, I think what I like best about talking to people is making them feel like we've been friends all along.

However, I've never really cared about what I say or how I say things. It's not that I've never given it thought, it's just that I obnoxiously, consciously really,really didn't care. That is where I think this course has helped me the most. I'm still extremely talkative, crazy Diana but a more conscious, talkative crazy Diana. All the feedback, videos and lessons about things like non-verbal cues, to tone, to the very last video about assertiveness have been really helpful.

For example, in the video on assertiveness, I could identify with the lady blowing up about some brochure design I think. Now, amongst my friends, I am known to be extremely honest sometimes to the point of it being brutal. Imagine the lady blowing up - I say things like that all the time,and I never really cared how the other person felt. Plus I'm also really casual about it. I don't say things like that out of hate, I don't give my words much thought, and I also expect the other party to take it 'casually', at face value, without much meaning. Actually everybody gets offended by me at first before knowing that it's just how I am. People do internalise, and take things personally sometimes.

While the lesson on intercultural communication is about cross-cultural understanding, I do think it has helped me generally empathise better with people. It probably isn't just the intercultural communication lesson, but maybe also the whole process of blogging. Through blogging, I have reflected on things I would have never really given much thought about. Reading other people's blogs and commenting has also helped me reflect more than I actually would in my daily life.

Ok, so I don't think I have really offended people much this semester while taking this course. If I were to apply this to my real life, constantly reflecting, empathising, I would be a better person. This part here is going to quite personal. I know myself best, and I know that I am not the best person out there. There's still a lot for me to develop inside. I am not saying this because I am secretly depressed, or that I am too hard on myself. Remember, I am always honest? So this is how I honestly feel about myself. I've been telling my friends though, that I want to become a better person. I think a large part of becoming a better person is via empathy.

I am not much of a 'feelings' person. I will never be that person who over-internalises, but if I were to apply all the reflecting I've done in this course in my daily life, just putting a little more thought and consideration into things, I think I could get there!

PS. COULD YOU GUYS PLEASE COMMENT. ARE MY POSTS SUPER UNRELATABLE OR WHAT?!