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Sydney Henningsen
Professor Dahlman
Honors 100
October 9, 2016
Global Citizenship: Uniting the World One Person at a Time
I am not just a citizen of the town of Blue Earth, or the state of Minnesota, or even just of the
country of the United States of America. I am one of over 7 billion citizens in the global community of
our world. A global citizen is more than just a person; it is a person who is concerned and impassioned
about other people and the world that they all live in. Of the circumference of the nearly 25,000 miles
around the world, all the way around the Equator and Prime Meridian, are global problems; and those
global problems require global solutions. As a global citizen, I have the power within me to help make
a difference. How can one young person from southern Minnesota make any difference at all? I can
think big, but act small; by starting right in my own neck of the woods. Learning about global
citizenship begins with education in my classroom.
In this first section of FYEX, we have studied and discussed about the connection of language
and communication in culture. Language is more than just an accent representative of the region that
you are from. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of language is, The words,
their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a community.
Language is more than just the alphabet, words, and rules for their use. Language and culture go hand
in hand. Growing up in a small, rural community, I will be the first to admit that my exposure to other
languages and cultures was limited at best. One of my first experiences with other cultures and
languages came through our foreign exchange students. I learned a great deal about the cultures of
Thailand and Hong Kong from my newly made friends. My high school only offered one choice of a
foreign language, Spanish; of which I have had one year. We learned that people who are multilingual

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could have different personalities; depending on what language they are speaking. In addition, people
who are multilingual may have better job opportunities and cerebral benefits later in life; possibly
delaying the onset of some intellectual disorders by almost five years. I am a CNA and work with
Alzheimers and Dementia patients in a nursing home. Many of them are multilingual, being raised in
strictly German or Norwegian homes. I do notice that some of them are slightly more agitated when we
try to communicate in English. If they choose to speak in their native languages, it seems to have a
serene affect on them. It is my belief that speaking the language they grew up with takes them back to
a place in time that they do remember; a place that makes them happy. I place myself with them,
wherever they are at that moment in time, and we are somehow still able to communicate. I completed
my senior year of high school at SCSU as a full time PSEO student. That campus offered me varied
experiences of cultural diversities and languages; some good, and unfortunately, some not so good. I
am expanding my horizons by taking sign language as my second, foreign language at MSU. ASL is a
beautiful language that silently speaks volumes as it flows from our hands. It does have a changing,
calming affect on me when I talk with it and listen to it. Knowing more than one language allows us to
peer into other cultures; as we shouldnt limit ourselves to just our own culture.
One method that helps us as we peer into other cultures is intercultural praxis. That allows us to
understand cultures other than our own by using the tools of inquiry, framing, positioning, dialogue,
reflection, and action. Questions lead to answers, which lead to more questions. Now, you have a
conversation complete with dialogue. When we think outside of the box and take our blinders off, we
will be able to look at the bigger picture and view different cultures with new perspectives. Keeping
the lines of communication open helps prevent walls from going up and stereotypes from being
formed. When generalizations and stereotypes are formed, and they are all too easily, boundaries are
added to cultures. Everyone is born into a culture. As we grow and our minds mature, our culture is
shaped by our parents, teachers, friends, churches, and society itself. It is within our realm of control of

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how we view our culture and to respect others cultures, beliefs, and practices. Problems can arise
when people believe that their culture is the right and only one. Just because someone thinks that their
culture and belief system is right doesnt make another wrong. Living where we do allows multiple
cultures to co-exist with each other.
Our country has been referred to as a melting pot for cultures. Another of our assignments
allowed us to learn about many different immigrants and the stories of their sacrifices, challenges, and
rewards along their journey. No matter their origin or background, all of these people possess
perseverance, humility, and gratitude. In addition to gaining an insight of what their immigration
process entailed and why they chose that route, it also offered me a moment of reflection. It is always a
good reality check for us to realize and appreciate the people, things, and opportunities that we have in
our life. We easily take for granted things such as our health care system, education, finances,
environment, food, water, and sanitation. A warm meal, fresh water, clothing, housing, doctors,
schools, and functioning, sanitary waste systems arent too much to ask for; yet arent readily
available to many people throughout the world. Healthy and educated people take care of our world;
and in turn, a healthy world takes care of its people. How can we be better global citizens and help?
This must start with education. Education gives us opportunities to learn about other cultures
and gives us the tools to help make a difference; whether that be in the form of volunteering, fundraising, or missionary work; just to name a few. During my educational journey, I have been given the
opportunities to take other language and culture courses. Currently, through the MSU Honors Program,
I am tutoring an international student from the Ivory Coast; and the learning is truly going both ways.
In the future, I may have the chance to attend a course in the United Kingdom entitled Cultural
Differences Through the Lens of Healthcare. This class will allow its students to learn about a variety
of global health issues. MSUs Office of Institutional Diversity promotes cross-cultural understanding
and appreciation of differences throughout the campus. MSU also offers multiple, monthly events

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through their DISH program (Diversity IS Happening). The culmination of all of these experiences is
more stepping stones for me on my journey to becoming a better global citizen. The circles of my
multicultural self activity allowed me to view myself in a different light; dissecting the many layers of
my culture.
If we take a close look at ourselves in the mirror, we, as a human race, are more alike than we
are different. Although, if we were all exactly the same, what a boring world that would be. It is those
wonderful, colorful differences that make us all so unique. If only we had the ability to see the world
and everyone in it through the eyes of a child; eyes that are un-jaded, innocent, non-judgmental, and
forgiving. We need to be able to view humanity as a whole; versus separate, explicit groups. The world
needs global citizens who are actively involved in our world, are perceptive to its vast diversity, and
are enthusiastic about implementing change. As I previously stated: think big, act small, and start at
home. The results of individual, small actions my not always be apparent. However, if people team
together, substantial results can be attained. Each and every one of our voices and contributions assist
in sculpting and bringing together our world. In my lifetime of experiences through books, television,
in the classroom, and out in the field, I am opening my mind to the different economics, politics,
environments, languages, and cultures of the world. This, in turn, prepares me for the part that I will
continue to play in uniting our world; one person at a time.