World We Imagine Part 1
When I think about Jacqueline Novogratz’s idea of “redefining the geography of community,” the first thing that comes to mind is how small the world feels when you actually decide to care. Not in a surface-level, social-media way, but in that real, human way where you recognize that your choices, no matter the size, touch people far beyond your immediate circle. If everyone is part of this larger community, then my first step in making the world better has to start with how I show up for people. I’ve always believed that connection is one of my strengths, so maybe my contribution is to lean deeper into it: listening better, asking more questions, and treating every interaction like it matters.
I imagine graduating and actually putting this into practice, maybe through marketing, maybe through global work, perhaps something I can’t even picture yet. But I see myself in spaces where people from different cultures, backgrounds, and languages come together, and I see my role as a bridge. I think a lot about how understanding someone’s story changes the way you see them. Suppose I could build a career rooted in that. In that case, whether it’s through international marketing, storytelling, or content that amplifies voices, we’d all be a little closer to the “global citizen” Novogratz describes.
My first step is simple: start practicing the world I imagine. Instead of waiting for the perfect job or the perfect opportunity, I can begin now, choosing compassion even when it’s inconvenient, taking time to understand people instead of making assumptions, and using whatever skills I have to make someone else feel seen. And maybe that’s what real global citizenship looks like: realizing the world doesn’t magically become better all at once, but it shifts every time someone decides to create a pocket of kindness, understanding, or courage. If I can do that consistently, maybe that’s the beginning of my impact.
Hi Angelina! I think creative storytelling is an amazing way to get messages across cultures. Marketing can have such a big reach and lead to many ways to help others. You could write books to help people, make ads that spread awareness on social issues, or travel doing impact work with your own non-profit. Excited to see what you pick!
ReplyDeleteHi Angelina. I really like how you frame global citizenship as something that starts with everyday interactions instead of some huge, abstract idea. One way you could take this a step further is by finding a more concrete outlet for your “bridge-builder” skill, like getting involved with organizations that work with immigrants, international students, or refugee communities where listening and storytelling really matter. You could also use marketing or social media as a tool to spotlight voices that don’t usually get attention, maybe through a blog :).
ReplyDeleteHey Angelina! I like how you reflected on this prompt and elaborated on how you hope to make an impact one day. I think this is a realistic take especially because there's not one right answer or one singular thing we can do to improve society as a whole. While you don't know exactly what your impact on society will be yet, I think it's awesome that you're thinking of what that can look like now.
ReplyDeleteI love how you defined global citizenship through connection and intentionality rather than big, dramatic actions your focus on listening and making people feel seen is a powerful foundation. A great next step could be choosing one concrete way to practice this “bridge-building” skill now, like joining a multicultural org on campus, volunteering for an event that brings different communities together, or even starting a small storytelling project that highlights people’s backgrounds; taking one of those actions would let you begin living the world you imagine instead of waiting for the perfect future moment.
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