New York City Reflection Paper Initially, I was unsure what to expect when I enrolled in this class. I knew New York was a diverse area, and I was excited to see what it had to offer. As we learned more about the itinerary, my excitement grew. I was pleased that each day was filled with opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow as individuals and professionals. On the first day, I was caught off guard by what Dr. Duncan had said about the comment, “I like all people: black, white, purple, and orange people.” When I was younger, I made that comment without understanding the effect it can have on others. But after listening to Dr. Duncan’s perspective, I understand despite my intentions, it is insensitive to overlook a part of an individual’s complex identity or culture. Also, it is impossible to like all people. We all have our own biases, assumptions, and stereotypes. As a future counselor, it is my job to recognize these biases, assumptions, and stereotypes; process where they came from, and challenge them. Another point that stood out from Dr. Duncan’s presentation was her porcupine analogy and her emphasis on “complexities of sameness.” While reflecting on this idea, I thought of my family and how we share physical and a few personality traits. On the other hand, we have different beliefs, attitudes, and several personality traits, yet we …show more content…
It was inspiring to hear their stories and the barriers they overcame. At their age, I was worried about my romantic relationships and the latest pop culture. I cannot imagine having to learn a new language, being in a new country, and struggling to balance between my family’s culture and a completely different culture at school. A common theme in their stories was receiving support from school professionals. Their stories are prime examples of how school professionals can impact a student’s experience and contribute to