Community Engagement Experience

By comparing and contrasting my experiences in American culture to those in London and Paris I have been able to become more aware of newer ways of living and being. Immersing myself into these various cultures has truly widened my perspective and allowed me to grow so much more as an individual.

Prior to this trip, I had never been to any European countries. Traveling to London and Paris taught me many unique lessons that I could never be exposed to in just a classroom setting. It allowed me to learn so much about myself and other cultures, and having this in-person experience was very eye opening. I was able to gain exposure to various methods of travel, better my money management, and learn about the history behind some of the monuments and museums in these countries. I even had a moment of realization of cultural differences and etiquette when it came to clothing, accessibility to water, ordering and sitting down at a restaurant, and using a public restroom.

We visited places such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Louvre, the Notre Dame, Palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tour, and many more. Visiting these monuments and learning about them showed me how much culture and history has shaped these countries. My peers and I were able to see various pieces of artwork and artifacts like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and more. Reflecting on these irreplaceable pieces of art and learning about them allowed me to look deeper into the past and realize how valuable art is. I realize now how important art is as a major attraction and display of cultural heritage in Europe and I would like to continue to reflect more on art in the U.S. following this experience.

When it comes to traveling I realize how accessible it is in London and Paris as a method of public transportation compared to the U.S. I was able to experience navigating and riding the buses, trains, trams, riverboats, etc. This ability to travel so easily allowed me to become more open to exploring. I’ve spent a lot of my life in one place very dependent on my car or support from others on how to get around, but this trip helped me to gain the confidence and independence I needed to step outside of my comfort zone, try new things, not be afraid to make mistakes, and ask questions.

The concept of intersectionality has been something that I have found to be a critical and powerful practice lens. I have been able to reflect on my own intersectionalities and have encountered this concept through various classes at Dominican, specifically when it comes to race, class, and gender. I have also been able to broaden my understanding of intersectionality throughout the years and learn how it contributes to experiences of discrimination and oppression.

My definition of intersectionality is the nature in which various categories such as race, class, gender, and sex overlap with one another to either serve as an advantage or disadvantage for people. It is my understanding that each individual has their own unique experience when it comes to discrimination and oppression and multiple identities can impact these experiences.

Through going on this trip, I have seen how intersectionality can be applied especially when it comes to race and class. Specifically in Paris right around the Eiffel Tour, I noticed that there were many street vendors selling small figurines of the Eiffel Tour, key chains, and other tourist items. They would set up a large blanket on the ground and many of these individuals were Black men that would sell items for a “good deal” or extremely cheap price just to make ends meet and make a living. We even witnessed them grabbing all of their things and running at one point to avoid encounters with authorities. This experience made me realize how much poverty and homelessness serves as an issue in Paris and how intersectionalities between race and class play a large part.

In addition to this experience, I noticed general intersections between my own Hispanic culture and the culture in Europe. When I went to Colombia to visit my family I had never met before or even spoken to, I was greeted with hugs and kisses on the cheek; the people there were extremely friendly and greeted us with large smiles and kind gestures. Similarly, the people in London embodied a very friendly, easy-going, and polite nature while those in Paris exchanged kisses on the cheek as a traditional greeting. This friendly nature that is open to physical touch and contact is not something that I feel is encountered very often in the U.S. where people are more wary upon meeting each other or avoid much contact until they’ve become much closer and comfortable. I have found this exposure to various greetings across cultures to be very enlightening as I have been able to broaden my understanding of different customs and social aspects.