For my practicum project during the Spring 2022 semester, I have decided to take the course CPSP369J - Teaching and Learning About Cultural Diversity Through Intergroup Dialogue. This was a rather unique, and nontraditional practicum experience. In class, we would discuss relatively charged, challenging, or sensitive topics, keeping an open mind about the perspectives of our peers, and learning more about others and their viewpoints through these conversations. While these discussions may sometimes have been heavy, or difficult to talk about, they were very much fruitful and I am pleased to say that I have gained a lot from simply being present and listening.
I found this class as a practicum experience when I was experiencing difficulty finding a practicum project. It was one of the only courses open that also allowed me to fulfill my scholars citation, so I took a risk and decided to take it, not knowing anything about dialogue facilitation and never having participated in an open dialogue before. Our site supervisor, Jazmin Pichardo was incredibly helpful throughout this course, as she was there to address any and all questions and concerns in person, as well as through email. One piece of advice that I would give to future SGC scholars looking for a practicum site is to use this opportunity as a way to broaden your experience. If you don’t already have a practicum experience set up yet, consider taking this class, as I would not have had these experiences otherwise.
This class took place once a week, where we would meet up and have in depth discussions and conversations. Although we did not have homework, our discussions led up to a final project where we were tasked with leading our own intergroup dialogue. My group and I chose a topic, and submitted lesson plans which were later evaluated by our TA’s and then modified to better fit the audience we had planned on presenting to. We practiced leading our conversation in class with all our classmates, and then gathered our audience to dive into our topic: the role of gender norms in our daily lives.
While we did not specifically discuss science in technical terms, we covered a different area of science: social science. All of our topics had intersections within race, gender, ethnicity, demographics, beliefs, religion, as well as other very personal values that people may hold close to them. Seeing the way that a person’s upbringing or environment affects their viewpoints, or the way that they connect to different topics was incredibly interesting, and slightly unexpected. The most important thing I learned was that one individual’s experiences, although they may be different from your own, does not invalidate your own experience, and vice versa. We have different beliefs and viewpoints, and therefore we have different interactions and experiences with our environment.
I have gained experience and understanding that nothing in this world is really independent. When making decisions, about science, or otherwise, there are a multitude of different factors and effects that should be taken into account. Although this practicum project hasn’t changed the entire trajectory of my career plans, it does make me more cognizant and aware of my surroundings, as well as the impact that I may have on those around me. Overall, I am really glad to have had this experience, and the opportunity to lead my own dialogue. Although it was incredibly intimidating at the beginning, I am glad to have been able to overcome my own timidness and pick up the skills necessary to step out of my comfort zone and lead my own dialogue, especially with a sensitive topic about one’s own identity.