Introduction to Global Service Learning Project and All People Be Happy
For this Global Service Learning project, my group will continue to work with the same organizations as previous cohorts: All People Be Happy and the Environmental Lab School (LabCom). Our team’s goal this semester is to build on the work done by previous students and transition into the advertisement and sales phase of the initiative. This will involve updating and gathering promotional materials that will eventually be distributed to institutions interested in international environmental studies experiences. The materials we plan to collect include videos, photographs, interviews, and a sample itinerary of the program. These will serve as key resources which will generate interest and provide a general idea to viewers of what the program entails. LabCom and All People Be Happy are significant in the local communities as they strive for self sufficiency. Through this Global Service Learning project, we hope to help LabCom achieve its goal of long-term sustainability, through continuous participation and awareness from future cohorts.
Additionally, we plan to conduct a test run of the LabCom itinerary to gain insights and ensure the program runs smoothly. This process will also help us identify potential challenges and provide feedback about the experience. The type of work we will do during the trip will include direct volunteering, science-based curricula, community visits and cultural experiences. By immersing ourselves in these activities, I believe that this will not only contribute to the program’s success, but also provide a deeper understanding of Puerto Rican Culture.
Goals During the International Component of the Program
The main objective of the program is to expand LabCom’s reach, leveraging the promotional materials through multiple channels of communication. Besides direct contact to universities using email, online visibility through social media posts and organization websites will also play a key part in displaying promotional material and attracting potential participants.
I believe that the most important objective that my team hopes to accomplish during the international component of the program would be the collection and editing of promotional materials. Each student in our group is responsible for gathering photos, videos, interviews, and any other content that may be incorporated into the final marketing materials. This objective is the most critical, as it will lay the foundation for subsequent objectives such as updating and finalizing promotional content. Ultimately, the success of our marketing materials depends largely on the international component of our program, making this one of the most important goals we have.
Once we have finished gathering, editing, and finalizing the promotional material, our group hopes to establish at least one university partnership to pilot the program. This objective should be achievable, as past cohorts have already compiled a list of universities who have or are likely to express interest in the LabCom program. The list of universities includes: Connecticut College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Vermont, West Virginia University and The University of Pittsburgh’s Environmental Studies Department.
Anticipated Cultural Challenges
One cultural norm of Puerto Rico that I anticipate being a challenge when gathering promotional materials is the language barrier. Although English is also considered a primary language in Puerto Rico, the majority of Puerto Ricans predominantly speak Spanish. For example, Adriana, who is involved with our program and will be working with us in Puerto Rico, speaks only Spanish; During prior zoom meetings, a translator was necessary to ensure clear communication when conveying questions or ideas. This could potentially slow down the process of work since we only have a single group member who is fluent in both Spanish and English. Also, the language barrier challenge could pose a significant challenge for my team, especially if we need to clarify information while engaging in volunteer work. I believe that effective communication is crucial to ensure success during assigned tasks, and any misunderstandings due to communication could hinder our ability to contribute effectively.
I am worried about the challenge of a language barrier especially when we gather promotional materials. Obtaining consent from participants could be difficult if two parties cannot communicate properly and misunderstandings arise. This could impact the group’s ability to collect valuable content, so it would be imperative to coordinate and plan the use of translators throughout the process to mitigate this challenge.
Most Impactful Reading
In my opinion, the reading that has had the most impact on me would be the readings and discussion we did on week 4 of this semester. The reading “Principles of Effective Team Management” was written by Tricia Goss and published on May 29th, 2010. Although 15 years old, I believe that the central point discussed in the reading remains fundamental when analyzing an effective project team. The emphasis on an effective team being composed of individuals with various specific characteristics, such as being “Team Players” and “Influential,” seems obvious when generally thinking about productive traits individuals should have. However, it is still important to recognize that effective teams also need other diversified skills in order to truly have a successful project team, as the reading discusses. The other reading that we covered in week 4 of the semester would be the reading “Ethics in Project Management,” which was written by Criag Brown and published on January 27, 2009. This reading reinforced my understanding of being and staying ethical while working for a client. Overall, both readings were clear, concise, and impactful. I enjoyed how the message of each reading was able to be conveyed in a way where it encouraged deeper reflection on ethical decision making.
Final Reflective Thoughts
Overall , I am feeling a mix of emotions. I am extremely excited about going outside my comfort zone and challenging myself in order to grow both academically and professionally. However, I am also feeling a little bit of anxiety. In my opinion, the weeks leading to spring break have felt like they have flown by, and I’m not entirely sure if I’m completely prepared. That said, I’m confident that my group will be reliable and coordinated throughout the entire trip, which gives me a bit of reassurance.