Izzy Morales '25 RGLP Reflection: The Significance of Cross-Cultural Experiences

There is a certain limit or threshold of knowledge a human brain can receive, interpret, and truly understand without having any experience or practice. As a Dartmouth student, I appreciate the importance a book or a PowerPoint presentation has on my ability to learn. When it comes to truly understanding interpersonal and intercultural dynamics, a textbook can only teach me so much. This is not to say that textbooks and other forms of teaching should be deemed as less important than personal experience and in person interaction; it is just important to recognize the significance that cross cultural experience has on learning on the true understanding of intercultural dynamics. Through RGLP I have a newfound understanding of what cross cultural experiences really are. Through the lectures and personal anecdotes on comprehensive concepts including morality, understanding, and ignorance vs hatred, as well as the immersion trip to Montreal, I feel as though I have been offered a breadth of important knowledge that is extremely useful for both my personal and professional growth. Not only have I now been given a glimpse into what walking a day in certain marginalized groups' shoes might be like, I've been exposed to various ideologies and cultural elements that lead a community to act a certain way. With this information, I now have a better understanding of how the idea of finding comfort in discomfort can manifest itself in society. By being given various tools to navigate the ambiguity and uncertainty that comes with being put in different cultural situations, I now feel as though I am better equipped to be a better global leader and can make the differences I want to see in the world.