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ePortfolio Reflection
Nickolas M Martinez
Portland State University

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2
Introduction

Globalization is a freshman inquiry course taught by Professor Chris Carey that

discusses the extensions of political, social, and economic relations between people
groups and networks that are created by these influences. Throughout my experience as a
freshman at Portland State University, Ive come to broaden my scope as to how human
interactions have such a dramatic impact on the worlds infrastructure and coexistence.
This course has improved my scope toward that of an individual who chooses to be a
global citizen through human interaction and networking.
Learning About Globalization
Coming into Professor Careys globalization course, I came into things with the
assumption that we would be learning about people groups and the migration of culture
and societies, but I was far from correct. I learned that the extent of globalization and the
impact that it has had on society is broader than myself or anyone else could possibly
fathom. Its a ubiquitous entity that connects everyone and every thing through the
expansion of networking, trading, and the dissemination of knowledge. Once I
familiarized myself with these aspects of globalization, I was able to learn how
globalization has progressed society toward where we are today and will dramatically
impact how we interact in the future.
Learning About Myself
Throughout my time in Professor Careys globalization course, I was influenced
and challenged to question the way I viewed developmental and existential impacts that I
have on those around me. Perhaps the greatest influence that globalization has had on my
life is toward developing the understanding of the complexity and importance of being a

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global citizen. A global citizen is an individual that identifies as being a member of a

worldwide community that believes their actions are part of a global contribution toward
constructing a society that transcends the artificial borders one might limit themselves to.
As I consider how I am being a benefactor to society, Ive been challenged to
branch out and experience new cultures by enriching myself with diverse people groups
and cultures. By considering how I may be affecting those around me, I can analyze my
contributions to the communities I am currently involved in. After taking this course, Ive
learned why its important for one to participate in nongovernment organizations and
nonprofit organizations that work to benefit poverty stricken communities around the
world.
Among the many things I have learned about other countries around the world,
this course has taught me to appreciate what I am fortunate enough to have while living
in the United States. It was an eye-opening experience to see how other countries are
oppressed by corrupt government systems that dont regulate minority mistreatment, civil
rights, and poverty in a way that allows their populous to prosper. Ive come to appreciate
having a democracy and a well-regulated system of checks and balances to reciprocate
responsibility toward the assertion of power in the United States. In the future, I intend to
use these blessings that I have learned about the life I am fortunate to call my own in a
way that would help benefit those who have to go without. Ive come to recognize that
just because we may not be oppressed by these oppressive and corrupt government
systems, we can reach out to those who are and give them an equal opportunity to have
democracy, a voice, a hope, and a purpose.
Four Goals of University Studies

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The four goals of university studies are aimed toward developing incoming
freshman students in a way that will challenge them to think critically, communicate,
understand ethics and social responsibility, and to diversify their experiences in any realm
of higher education. There were many assignments throughout the year that challenged
these four goals by provoking us to form our own opinions toward the subject matter
being presented. For example, our means of critical thinking and communication were
tested in many different ways throughout the implementation of our civic engagement
projects. These projects forced me to think critically as we brainstormed ideas that would
benefit the community, without making irrational assumptions, which proved to be much
more difficult than I originally estimated. After we came up with an idea, we needed to
engage with the community by communicating our ideas to them in the form of a survey.
This survey allowed us to measure how well we were communicating with the populous
both analytically and quantitatively.
Perhaps the most eye-opening sections of this course revolved around an exhibit
at the Portland Art Museum called The Enclave. The Enclave is an abstract visual
and audio art piece that captures the lives of the people living in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo located in Africa. This piece exemplified a diverse human experience and
focused heavily on the ideals of ethics and social responsibility. It created beauty through
human suffering and produced an ethical burden by potentially evoking emotions
concerned with social catastrophe.
Final Thoughts
From an academic standpoint, I have learned how globalization influences the
expansion of political, social, and economic relationships between people groups and

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communities. But after analyzing what I know now from a personal point of view, I
believe that I have become a changed individual in regards to how I see the world around
me. This course has challenged me to think critically, communicate, experiment with
diverse peoples, and question my social and ethical responsibility with those around me.
Professor Carey has molded me into a better student and influenced me to become a more
intellectual individual that cares dearly about the future of our society as a whole. By
listening with the intent to take action and speaking with motives that inspire our
generation to do great things.