Hi! Please find all of the required items on this page (Giveback Project, Downloadable Essay, & Points Explained). Find the attached Verification Forms under each category.

Giveback Project – YouTube Video

My Giveback Project. I talk about my experiences in Japan and how that influences my understanding of culture.

Reflective Essay

My Reflective Essay includes a discussion of my values and how they were changed by my intercultural competency.

Category A – 3 Points

6 Credits in French – FRAN 1110 & 1210 – 2 Points

3 Credits in Japanese – JAPA 1110 – 1 Point

• By taking three different language courses at Thompson Rivers University, I gained a lot of new appreciation for other cultures, as well as insight into their lifestyles. At TRU, the courses specifically focus on emphasizing culture in the language that you are learning. For French, I learnt a lot about fashion and meals, as well as common activities that they do. For Japanese, I learnt a lot about their home lifestyles and what kind of things may be different in how the homes are designed. This was a major part of me being interested in visiting other countries, because it intrigued me as to how different of lives that these people who primarily spoke these languages lived.

Category B – 3 Points

I received confirmation that CMNS 3160 was approved for intercultural competency even though it is not on the current list.

These courses were all of great value in helping my develop skills in global competency. The CMNS course was incredibly valuable in helping me understand the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada apart from my own experience. The POLI course was helpful in giving me an understanding of how beliefs differ globally, as well as what is currently going on in the world. The SOCI course helped me understand different theories and perspectives as to why people may be deviant, without considering just one perspective or culture. The courses were useful in developing my critical thinking about perspectives different than mine.

Category C – 3 Points

Travel has been essential in helping me develop as a global thinker. From first leaving the country at 8 years old, to going overseas the first time this year, all have provided me with insight into how others lives are incredibly different from mine.

The photo below is me with my brothers at Universal Studios in Orlando in 2010, where we stayed at for over a week. In Orlando I saw my first LGBT+ parade, and people lived a much more open lifestyle. Though I was young, I definitely picked up on the differences of display between us Western Canadians and the South Eastern Americans.

This next photo is of my brothers and I again, only a few years later, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2013. I experienced quite a few new cultural things here. On the second day of our trip we went into the town and got to try authentic foods and see local people and buildings. I also remember seeing employees sitting outside of the resort waiting to catch the bus home, while in Canada nearly everyone can afford a car. So, it put my privilege into perspective for one of the first times.

The last overseas trip was to Japan in May 2023. This was where I learnt the most about global competency, as it was a full immersion into the culture by myself instead of doing tourist things with my family. I spent three weeks in Tokyo learning about language and culture and was able to meet many different people and learn so much from them. On the weekends I got to visit Kyoto, which is my favourite city now, and Osaka. I plan on going back to Japan soon! As part of this trip I received my Global Skills Opportunity Certificate.

Category D – 4 Points

Through working with many international students at the International Training Center in Thompson Rivers University, I learnt so much not only about them, but about myself. The photo below is a group from Kyoto that I worked with. I spent so much time with this group and grew close to them, learning the intricacies of the Kyoto culture and how it is different from that of Tokyo where I spent my exchange. By working with international students from all over the world I learnt how to communicate with people all over the world, and what works better with people from certain regions as opposed to others. The most important thing, though, was just authenticity! Being yourself and truly trying to learn about them is how you will best connect with them, and I hope to be fortunate enough to connect with many more students this year!

Final Thoughts

Just by going through all of these activities and reliving the experiences, it makes me realize how much of an impact that these things have had on my life. I would definitely not be the person that I am today without my global learning, and I am deeply appreciative of how it has changed me. I hope that you enjoyed looking into my experiences and how they shaped me!