Global Impacts of COVID-19
I recently attended a lecture on the economic impacts of COVID-19 now and what it is predicted to be in the future. Firstly, I learned that this would be one of the largest recessions in American history behind the recession of 1934 after the Great Depression. I also learned that unemployment would reach high levels of around 14% which is around 21 million Americans. This is just in America. The economy is interconnected globally, which leads to something ongoing in one country to directly affect the ongoings in another. These things I learned directly connect with what I am pursuing during this time. I have been working to help small businesses in the greater Kansas City area during this time of economic uncertainty. This affects my local community but on a larger scale can make an impact on the global economy. This allows more trade, imports, and exports to continue and perpetuates the spending of money so people around the world can maintain their income. I have been able to yet again see the possibility of me making a large scale impact with a small action in my own community. This lecture showed me how we have progressed from the past and evolved; however, it made me also question what more I can do. The recovery from this will be a long process and many industries will be affected. One large industry affected is the travel one; it is the one industry that allows for global travel engagement. Will the effects be large enough to hamper global experiences in the future? How long will it be till I will be able to experience what it means to be a global citizen first hand again?
Global Identity Reflection
Over time I have grown to understand my own identity as a first-generation American. This has given me the platform to understand not only the American culture but also the culture from my heritage. In my interactions with others, I try to utilize my unique perspective as a way to bridge the gap between people from different backgrounds and find our similarities. I initially did not think my actions could help anyone else. I had been living in my small bubble which consisted of traveling home to Lenexa, Kansas, and going back to school in Connecticut. However, this soon changed after I was able to travel and experience what it is like to be a global citizen. Through my trips, such as the Norton Fellowship, I ended up building a strong connection with the girls by sharing our respective cultures through pictures and stories. Just as I was teaching them about how to feel safer, they taught me about their perspectives and the difficulties of teaching, which in result made me a better listener and learner. The GESC classes laid the foundation of me to question what I can do to make a change and the extracurricular activities helped ignite the implementation. Though I had previously lived obliviously, I had grown and learned that I was not just a Kansan or an American. That is when I knew I was a global citizen who could question her limits.
After Loomis, I hope to continue being a global citizen within whichever pathway I take. In my career, I hope to utilize others’ stories and experiences to shape my own. I also hope to work with others around the world because of how interconnected everything is.
After Loomis, I hope to continue being a global citizen within whichever pathway I take. In my career, I hope to utilize others’ stories and experiences to shape my own. I also hope to work with others around the world because of how interconnected everything is.