Isabelle Lust '25 RGLP Reflection

Before RGLP I thought that I had significant experience with both culture and leadership, but RGLP helped me realize that there is no limit to having cultural learning experiences. The way RGLP impacted me the most was through the realization of what culture truly is and how it affects all of us. Though we most often view culture as something connected to country of origin or ethnic and racial groups, every single person, even if they are from the same country or region has a different culture that informs their perspective on life. One of the biggest ways this realization has manifested in my own life is through the way in which I communicate. One of the most illuminating activities for me came at the very beginning of RGLP, when we acted out a business meeting. Each group acted according to the communication norms of a false country created for the activity. The groups spoke differently but the communication differences went way beyond that. We used different body language, some groups expressing their emotions with huge gestures, while others remained completely still. One group asked personal questions before commencing business negotiations, while others wanted to get down to business right away. This session impacted me greatly in three very specific ways. Firstly, it showed me the importance of being aware of the ways in which I communicate with others. After paying closer attention to the ways that I communicate, I've realized that not all the things I say come across in the way they were intended. Regulating my tone and understanding the associations of the words I use has become increasingly important to me to foster clear communication with others, which is especially important in business settings. Secondly, communication encompasses more than just words. The motions I make when communicating with others, my body, language, and what topics I choose to focus on are all essential parts of a conversation, all of which are informed by culture. In multicultural settings, people have different perceptions of the rules of communication. By recognizing these rules, I can work to better understand the intention behind peoples' words and help others understand me as well. Lastly, though we come from many different cultures, we can come to agreements despite our differences. In our group, though we evinced the norms of different cultures, we came to a business agreement relatively quickly. Both groups recognized the difference in cultural norms but adapted to the differences and worked together to foster communication. Besides learning about communication, RGLP has inspired me to continue seeking out different cultural experiences so I can better understand both myself and the world around me.  I learned so much in this program and I cannot wait to put the skills I learned to good use, both in a personal and professional capacity!