Celine Vidal - Group One - Reflection #1

 

What I Learned Through Our Intercultural Communication Presentation

By Celine Vidal

This past week, my class presented in groups on different communication topics for SPC1017. My group focused on Intercultural Communication, and I had three slides: Culture and Communication, Disability and Communication, and Competent Communication Strategies. I was nervous going into it, especially since I spoke first, but I ended up feeling proud of how I did. Preparing the presentation and listening to the other groups actually taught me a lot.

Preparing Our Group Presentation

Our group was assigned Chapter 3, and each of us picked a topic from it. I chose mine early on because I wanted to work on something I felt connected to, and I liked the idea of breaking down what culture really means and how it shows up in communication.

When I was making my slides, I tried to keep them simple but clear. I didn’t want too many words or anything confusing. I also wanted my speech to sound natural, so I practiced a few times before the presentation. I definitely think I spoke too fast on the first slide, probably because of nerves, but I got more comfortable on the second and by the third, I felt way better.

What I Learned From My Topics

My first slide was about Culture and Communication, and it helped me understand how much culture affects the way we speak and act. I used to think culture was just about language or where you’re from, but now I see it’s also about things like eye contact, gestures, and how we were raised to express ourselves.

On the Disability and Communication slide, I talked about how people with disabilities often form their own co-cultures. I included the movie Temple Grandin as an example because it shows how someone who communicates differently still finds their own way to succeed and connect. That part reminded me how important it is to be patient and open when people communicate in ways I’m not used to.

Then I ended with Competent Communication Strategies, which basically tied everything together. It’s about being flexible, respectful, and aware of who you're talking to. I also mentioned how we can learn through study, observation, and experience. That part stood out to me because it’s something I want to keep practicing, not just for class, but in everyday life too.

Presentation: Culture and Communication.

My Experience Presenting

Even though I was nervous at first, I’m glad I got to go early. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and made the rest of the presentation easier. I had my slides ready, and I knew what I wanted to say. I think what helped most was practicing and pacing myself, even when I felt anxious.

My Favorite Part of the Process

One of my favorite parts of the whole process was working with my group. It was honestly nice to be in a group where everyone contributed and stayed in contact. Even when things got a little confusing, we were able to figure it out together. I liked how we supported each other and reminded one another about deadlines and topics. It felt like a team, not just a group assignment. That made the experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

I also liked how organized our group was. We made sure no one repeated topics, and we helped each other decide what to talk about. Everyone stayed on top of their part, and I liked how we were able to split things up early instead of waiting last minute. We even had a group chat where we shared updates and checked in with each other, which made things easier.

What I Thought About the Other Groups

Group 2 – Communicating in Groups

Group 2 was fun to watch. They had really good visuals and examples that made it easy to follow. I liked how they explained different kinds of groups, like work groups and support groups, and how communication works differently in each one. They also talked about family styles, which made me think about my own family and how we communicate at home.

They went over healthy group traits too, like being fair with work and holding each other accountable. That reminded me of how our group worked together. We had good teamwork and made sure everyone had a role.

Group 3 – Leadership and Problem Solving

They kept it really structured, and it reminded me of something more professional. They explained different leadership styles, like autocratic and democratic, and it made me think about the different personalities in group projects. I liked how they gave examples of roles within a group, like the giver or the analyzer. Even though we didn’t label our roles, I noticed that we kind of filled them naturally without even realizing it.

They also talked about the steps for problem-solving in a group. I thought that was helpful to hear because it made me think about how communication helps us work through stuff, not just talk.

What I Took Away Overall

Doing this project made me realize that communication is not just about talking. It’s also about listening, understanding where someone’s coming from, and sometimes adjusting the way you speak depending on the situation. Culture, ability, personality, those things all matter in how we connect.

Why This Project Felt Different

This project felt different from others because it actually connected to real life. We weren’t just memorizing facts, we were talking about how people communicate every day, and how culture or disability can change the way someone sees a conversation. It made me think more about how I come across to others and how I can be more thoughtful when I’m talking to someone new. It also reminded me that everyone’s way of communicating deserves respect, even if it’s not what I’m used to.

Final Thoughts

I’m glad we did this project. I learned about different types of communication, worked with my group, and got to hear from my classmates too. Everyone had their own style, and it was cool seeing how different topics connected back to the bigger idea of communication. I feel like I understand people a little better now, and I feel better about speaking in front of a group.

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