IB Portfolio - Angela U. - Journal Reflections

08122025.pdf

BioMed in the News: Reflection on Mini Group Project

Questions about Personal Language Use

08122025.pdf

IBCP PPS Reflection - 09/23/2025

Country Comparison Project Reflection
4. If I could visit one place in the countries mentioned by the presenters, I would like to visit Italy. Italy has a rich culture in its history and art, but it also places high value on their food. As someone who loves tasting different dishes from all across the world, Italy has been a long time dream vacation destination for me. I do hope that in the future I will be able to visit that country.

5. I think something that I learned that was interesting was really anything about Angola. I had heard about the country before but never knew where it was located or what its culture was like. I feel like the information I received was really informational and helps me be a more informed citizen of the world. I definitely want to make a difference in the broader world, but that had always been a goal of mine even before these presentations. I would like to help improve oncology outcomes, especially for children, all across the world. In terms of information and skills, I would like to become a physician scientist which requires both the technical knowledge of being a doctor, but also the research and lab skills for a researcher.

Country Comparison Project Reflection
If I could travel to one of the countries mentioned in the second set of presentations I would like to visit Taiwan. I have been to Taiwan before but that when I was much younger so I don't really remember what it was like then. I do know that Taiwanese food is pretty good so I would want to be able to travel there just for the food.

Something interesting I learned was about the background of how Mongolia came to be as it is briefly taught in Chinese history but not very in depth. It's interesting to hear about how different Mongolia was throughout its history as there are noticeable differences from nomadic to unified to a mix of both today.

If I got sick during international travels I would want to be in a more developed nation, and one that I speak the language of so either Singapore or Taiwan. This allows for easy communication which is so important when it comes to health issues. You don't ever want to have a language barrier when you're sick as you can't really advocate for your needs.

If I were to start a tech business, I would probably try developing in underdeveloped nations as the need for it would be higher. However, if I were trying to come up with the latest innovations, I think it makes more sense to go to places that already have well established technology players.

Social Dilemma Pt. 1 Reflection
1. It's not really new news to me. I have seen this documentary before so I'm aware of the fact that the algorithm specifically responds to whatever inputs you give it and thus has the potential to manipulate your behavior.

2. Do social media detoxes, don't use technology unless absolutely necessary, limit what platforms you use, and limit the amount of time you spend on those sites.

3. I normally already limit everything and most times when it asks for my location data I'll choose the option for only while using the app, or if it asks for access to my pictures I'll give it partial access to a select number of pictures.

4. I probably could stay off my phone for 24 hours. A notification from my mom would probably make me pick it back up as she doesn't usually text me unless it's something important that I should know.

5. I use social media to share some experiences I've had and also to spread awareness for the things I advocate for. I could probably write everything on a blog but that doesn't seem all too much different from social media.

6. I think that the algorithm is a good case of good intentions bad executions, it's meant to be a way to personalise things to the user's preference so that something that the user dislikes may not show up on their page but at the same time, it perpetuates the addiction issue.

7. A lot of platforms get paid in the form of online advertisements which makes it so that every so often you scroll on a page, you'll come across an ad which is often personalised according to your feed thanks to the algorithm.

8. I would keep Instagram as it's the only one I really use. I keep track of my advocacy journey there so I think that what I have in terms of meaningfulness is the highest on that platform.

Social Dilemma Pt.2 Reflection
1. I don't think that it affects me much as I have to keep up to date with the news for AP Language and Composition, but I make sure to use credible sources so that it will be more impartial and I can form my own opinions.

2. I disagree, I don't think that it really solves my problems. Maybe its a temporary blocker but in the end I don't feel the same catharsis I would get doing something that I enjoy in real life.

3. I feel in control of my technology habits as I don't scroll on my phone all that much so I feel like I have control over when or how much I scroll. Regaining agency starts with a long detox to reset the brain's dopamine levels.

4. I don't think it distorted my views but I'm aware that a lot of people feel pressured to look a certain way or act a certain way because of what's being circulated around the internet.

Reflections on Chosen Current Event
1. I am not personally affected by the current event. My extended family in the Philippines may be affected by this issue. In terms of impact I think that I was a little surprised but also okay with the fact that people are standing up against corrupt leaders.

2. They don't keep up with that kind of news all too much but my aunt has complained about how traffic got worse in Manila because people block the roads from protesting.

3. Most people in my family are not aware of the issues that are happening there so there is no one that I look up to who said something about the current event.

4. Technology allows for the global world to know more about the protests that are happening and what the protests are about even if people can't read the signs as news stations translate some of the stuff that protestors have written or said.

5. The only one who can really resolve this issue is the President of the Philippines as he is the one who really started the whole problem. Only if he pleases the people will they stop protesting.

6. Not much as it is still ongoing and the people are still heavily dissatisfied.

7. Not really as once again, it's a very recent event so I don't really have much to go off of.

8. NPR, NY Times, Reuters, LA Times, Times Magazine, SCMP, AP News.

9. If it were up to me I would have been more careful in the planning stages of the relocation of public funds so that there wouldn't be a scandal to cause an uprise in the first place.

10. People find out about the misuse of funding -> protests begin -> Marcos Jr makes some statements reassuring the public that he will throw all those involved in the scandal into a jail cell -> protestors say they won't back off until he makes good on his promise.

11. Done.

Post Current Events Group Discussions Reflection

8/10, I think I could have found even more details but with the short time frame that was given to discuss and research about our topics I think I did pretty good.
I felt like people were listening in my group and I paid attention to all presenters in my group.
I think my POVs were understood whether they agreed with me or not. We were all trying to be respectful and mindful of one another. More often than not we would build off of one another's ideas.
I don't think anyone was distracted, I think everyone tried their best to pay attention to whoever was talking.
10/10, I paid attention to what they were saying so that I could discuss more in depth with the rest of the group after they finished their initial presentations.
I think that a case about how the deaths of 2 people was under heavy speculation of what actually happened was the most engaging.
I think that my case was the most difficult to discuss because most people aren't that aware of the Philippines and its history so I had to provide a lot more background beyond the news article.
Not really, the assignment itself wasn't too long so it made sense to have a short presentation time. Maybe more time for discussion instead of the presentation portion.
Facial expressions conveyed some of the presenters subconscious thoughts while they talked about their news.
Maybe have graphics ready next time by printing it out if we are doing the presentations without the usage of technology.