The Making of Latin America: Final Thoughts

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          When I registered to take this class last June, what I signed up for was not what I anticipated. But, what I did not anticipate from this class were arguably the most important parts of the class. I anticipated to learn about the history of Latin America. What I didn't anticipate were the life lessons I've learned, the expanded perspective I've developed, and the communiny I've been surrounded by.
          I think that we could make an argument that this is the hardest Honors Sequence - we hear about our friends' sequences and we are shocked at how little work they do. This is something that may have seemed unfair at first, but I think I can say that we have all benefited from the amount of work that we've had to put into this class. Personally, I have never been a better writer and a better critical thinker, and that is a direct result of taking this class and working hard in it.
          What I am probably most grateful for in my growth as a person is the way my perspective has changed. I have learned so much about Latin American history, and along with that, the misconceptions of it. It just baffles me how people believe 100% what they hear from a single source - and I was arguably one of those people before this class. I was so ignorant to what seems to be going on "right under my nose". It reminds me of a quote from an evolutionary biologist, Theodosius Dobzhansky, from his famous article "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution": "some people fear enlightenment, because enlightenment threatens their vested interests." A lot of people will refuse to expand their perspective and learn about things that society tends to ignore because it doesn't align with their lives. But, something that I learned in this class was that it is okay to be uncomfortable, because uncomfortable sparks movement and progress. I will never go back to the perspective of Latin America or the United States that I had before. This class has taught me to always question and seek further knowledge - only with that will I be truly informed, and that's what I wish to be.
          This is where the blog gets a little sappy - the community that we have formed in this class is truly spectacular. A lot of us have made friends that we will keep well beyond this class, but even not, we were there for each other throughout the year when it was needed. Struggle brings people together, and this class did that for us. I appreciate every one of my classmates. I have known them in an academic setting for about eight months now, and I can say that I've seen each of them grow as students and people as well. It inspires me, and I'm so proud. I cannot wait to see what everybody in this intelligent, motivated group of individuals does in their future. So thank you for that.
          People always talk about how teachers are supposed to connect to their students, work to make them better people, and have a lasting impact on them. I can undoubtedly say that both Professor Stark and Professor Serrata have done that for us. Speaking for myself, both this class and the two of them have left a long-lasting impact on me and my life. I will never be the same person as I was coming in. I have grown so much, and that is a direct result of the hard work of both of our professors. They have always given positive and constructive feedback, worked with us when we were feeling overwhelmed, and most importantly taught us wholeheartedly. That is something that only the greatest of professors can do. So thank you Professor Stark and Professor Serrata for that.
          Thank you all for going on this journey with me, peers and professors alike. Throughout it all, I can say that I have changed for the better, and that I have DEFINITELY gotten more than my money's worth.

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