Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication

Exploring Culture

Something that helped me gain understanding of cultural perspectives is the discussion board “Los días, los meses y las estaciones.” In this discussion board we were required to watch a video about 12 fiestas and choose one to write about it. In addition to this, we also had to share a tradition we celebrate within our own family. For this assignment I chose a fiesta called Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This celebration was actually very similar to a carnival I celebrate with my family in Trinidad and Tobago. Having so many similarities made me realize how wrong it is to dismiss something because it seems so much different on the outside looking in. As I read more about Carnival of Santa Cruz, I realized both celebrations happen at the same time of the year, and both consist of family and friends coming together to celebrate and feast before lent begins. This changed my perspective of being more open to celebrating other cultures because although the celebration and food might be different, the meaning is the same. 

Engaging in Communities

It is important to engage in your immediate and global community to gain an understanding of others. By interacting with those that differ from you not only are you able to learn something new, but you are also able to find something in common that allows you to build a bridge that establishes a connection between two communities. While deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina this year, I was able to work with Soldiers from multiple other countries like Germany, France, Turkey, Spain and more. Working with these other countries taught me the importance of keeping an open mind and taking the time to interact with those that you wouldn’t normally interact with. During this time, I met a man named Jorge who has been in the Spain Army for almost 20 years. Over Bosnian coffee one day we talk about how our time has been in the Army. I tell him this is my first time overseas and he begins to tell me all of the other countries he has been and describe some traumatic events. He tells me that on one of his previous tours it was his job to create an excel spreadsheet of everyone that died that week so they can show it on a projector and give their respects. This not only made me grateful for engaging in this conversation with him but also showed me how much we all have in common as Soldiers regardless of nationality and language barrier. 

Interpersonal Communication

One of the assignments this semester was to watch a video of interesting facts about the University of Granada, answer a few discussion board questions, and respond to at least one other classmates post. This was my favorite discussion board post because I was able to get to know my classmates more personally. While we shared what we found interesting about the University of Granada like how it was founded in 1531 and how the students are not allowed to transfer to a new school because of the strict curriculum. This opened up the discussion on whether or not we would ever go to a university outside the country or study abroad. I told my classmates about my study abroad trip to Jamaica and visiting the University of the West Indies. I also learned that one of my classmates use to attend school in Turkey. I think the next time I will be more open to engaging in posts sooner to use the opportunity to learn from others. 

Presentational Speaking

This semester I completed multiple assignment videos via Flipgrid to show my ability to frame a conversation in Spanish and speak publicly. I was extremely nervous for my first assignment video via Flipgrid. Even though I was alone while recording the video, it still felt as if I was public speaking because I knew this video would be viewed by my professor and classmates. Through my nerves, I rehearsed the words I learned so far in Spanish and practiced my eye contact. I realized that while trying to remember the correct word to say I had a habit of looking up or off into space. I tried to combat this by feeling confident and practicing so the words would roll off my tongue seamlessly. In these videos I feel I exceled at speaking a sentence in Spanish that flowed and came across as natural and not too choppy. Next time I would keep practicing my pronunciation and eye contact.