Zoe Riviere

What: Consciousness of Self is means being aware of the beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions that motivates one to take action. It is an individual value meaning that it happens internally on a personal and individual level. I believe I truly learned this social change value is when I signed up for my study abroad trip. During the trip I spent five weeks in Africa helping and teaching the local community of Adigrat, Ethiopia. You personally think about five weeks in Africa and you think how awesome it would be to help but not very many people actually make this a reality. I did. I wouldn’t lie and say it was all easy but I made it though and I am so glad I did. Looking back on my time it was the best five weeks of my life. The things I learned about other cultures and myself I will never take for granted. I knew in my beliefs and my values that I wanted to make this a reality for myself.

 

So What: I took that incredible leap of faith that most people never dream of doing. Knowing I could go to places that not many people can say they have ever been to in their lives and to go and make a difference was a huge motivation in my decision to apply for this study abroad. Yes, I was scared but I learned I have to take initiative in my life. I don’t want to just stand there and left life pass me by, I embrace it. Many things in my life would not have happened if I didn’t take initiative to make what I want into a reality, one of the prime examples being this study abroad. My attitude is to take life by the horns and do what you want to do.

 

Now What: My initiative is a personality trait that is very important to me. I do not want to be like some people who never truly do what they want to do because they never take the initiative to do it. After signing up for the study abroad and seeing that my initiative to sign up turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life I try to take more initiative in all aspects of my life. Especially with graduating college and looking for a job I have always wanted to live in New York City so I am taking the necessary steps to make this happen. I will not just settle and see what comes my way; I am actively searching to make my dream a reality. 

 

 

Link to definitions on the 7 C's- Social Change Values :https://www.csusm.edu/sll/leadership/SocialChangeModel.pdf