Though all four categories have a large bearing upon my development, it was the interaction with other individuals that led me to better conduct activities by myself.
Another important part to mention, and one that is stressed throughout my classes, is that focusing on strengths and weaknesses. As this is a reflective paper, it is important to include these facets. As aforementioned in the example provided in the previous paragraphs, my strength has always been good organization of ideas. This is because I was always an organized individual, and despite my lack of English communication skills, at first, I was still able to organize my thought. Thus, if given time, and a dictionary, I could translate these in English, which also helped me become a good writer. Due to my organizational skills time management was never a problem, and research, though problematic at first, with a little help from peers, became second nature. Yet one of the big weaknesses that I have always felt, that any immigrant and non-English speaker must feel, is a handicap in verbal communication skills.
I came to the University with a primary goal of studying my chosen field, but learning English was just as important a goal, especially learning how to communicate effectively in this language. Thus, verbal communication became something on which I had to focus in order to achieve effective outcomes, and this is certainly a long-term goal, and one that must be cultivated, improved and developed throughout the coming months and years.
There are many strategies of which I have been advised, with a view to fulfilling my goal. One of these has involved incredible amounts of reading, not just business books, but also literature...
The University's libraries hold a trove of fantastic resources, and I have tried to make full use of these in order to achieve this goal. The fact that I read many different subjects, from a variety of sources, does not help just my communication abilities, but also helps me learn about my
environment and allows me to become a better researcher and writer, with a more expansive vocabulary.
One of the main things that I learned at the University has been the importance of
personal reflection on one's work and abilities, and I am constantly aware of this while I read, write, study, or work on my communication skills. Furthermore, the various topics studied throughout the courses have also helped. These have included, among other things, time management, work planning skills, study skills, effective research abilities, working in groups or teams, note taking guidance, academic writing guidance, effective presentation-giving, and
stress management and future planning sessions. These seemingly disparate topics all come together to help an individual plan and execute his or her future, and many of these have helped me pursue and achieve my goals, especially those focusing on communication, such as presentation giving skills.
Though my work at the University is nowhere near finished, I have been able to, little by little, achieve many of the important goals, which I had set for myself at the beginning of my academic career. The self-reflection I often conduct on my own, presented her in this case, also helps in ascertaining that I am on the correct path, and that I am addressing my weaknesses with a goal to improve them, but that I also note my strengths and cultivate them as well. The most important thing that I still feel is missing is more peer-to-peer interaction, especially with people of my own
culture, in order to understand what others are going through, but also with locals, in order to better understand the culture, and receive advice. I believe that all these elements will eventually help me in my future endeavors.
