Learning there was more to the class than coffee.
"Coffee and friends make the perfect blend!" -Unknown
In the fall semester, I was enrolled in a one hour class called “Coffee House Conversations.” I originally thought this class was going to serve coffee and maybe read out loud poetry or something of that nature. I did not expect it to be one of my favorite classes here at the Mays Business School.
The course was structured where the students would have to read articles ranging from what was going on in the news or controversial, interesting topics. We then discussed the topics during class time. Before this class had started, I was under the assumption that students at Texas A&M had somewhat of the same viewpoint. I was not close to being right. The dialog in class showed that the students had different opinions. The variety of feelings that came from the students showed how each one of us were unique in our own by our background, beliefs, and previous experience or knowledge. Even with different opinions, the class was very respectful of each other’s differences. This group of students were the most mature group of people I have ever associated myself with when it came to controversial issues. I felt at ease being able to state an unpopular opinion because I knew that they would listen and not immediately reject it. This course also made me become more aware of the people I am surrounded by. One of the conversations we had talked about was how people are so firm in their beliefs that they are not willing to listen to others. This had me thinking that maybe I have once made someone uncomfortable, unintentionally, due to how narrow I viewed an issue instead of having an open mind. One of my favorite parts in this class was the presentation we had to give in the class. The point of the presentation was to go to an event that we have presumptions or no knowledge about the event. The presentations in class ranged from people going to a Synagogue to attending a Pro-Choice meeting. Listening to the presentations made me realize that there truly is diversity on Texas A&M’s campus, we just have to open our eyes and minds to see it.
What I learned in this course will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. The course made me realize the importance of having your own opinion and also the importance of listening to other’s perspectives. This course was significant to me because it made me realize that others have opinions and you do not always have to agree their viewpoint. You should try to find some middle ground or just respect the fact you have a different outlook. I have been applying what I learned in this class into my life by actually listening to what others have to say about a topic or issue and not dismiss their opinion based on the fact it is not mine. This class was definitely worthwhile and I feel that every student here at Texas A&M should take a class similar to this.
Written Spring of 2014
The course was structured where the students would have to read articles ranging from what was going on in the news or controversial, interesting topics. We then discussed the topics during class time. Before this class had started, I was under the assumption that students at Texas A&M had somewhat of the same viewpoint. I was not close to being right. The dialog in class showed that the students had different opinions. The variety of feelings that came from the students showed how each one of us were unique in our own by our background, beliefs, and previous experience or knowledge. Even with different opinions, the class was very respectful of each other’s differences. This group of students were the most mature group of people I have ever associated myself with when it came to controversial issues. I felt at ease being able to state an unpopular opinion because I knew that they would listen and not immediately reject it. This course also made me become more aware of the people I am surrounded by. One of the conversations we had talked about was how people are so firm in their beliefs that they are not willing to listen to others. This had me thinking that maybe I have once made someone uncomfortable, unintentionally, due to how narrow I viewed an issue instead of having an open mind. One of my favorite parts in this class was the presentation we had to give in the class. The point of the presentation was to go to an event that we have presumptions or no knowledge about the event. The presentations in class ranged from people going to a Synagogue to attending a Pro-Choice meeting. Listening to the presentations made me realize that there truly is diversity on Texas A&M’s campus, we just have to open our eyes and minds to see it.
What I learned in this course will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. The course made me realize the importance of having your own opinion and also the importance of listening to other’s perspectives. This course was significant to me because it made me realize that others have opinions and you do not always have to agree their viewpoint. You should try to find some middle ground or just respect the fact you have a different outlook. I have been applying what I learned in this class into my life by actually listening to what others have to say about a topic or issue and not dismiss their opinion based on the fact it is not mine. This class was definitely worthwhile and I feel that every student here at Texas A&M should take a class similar to this.
Written Spring of 2014