Reflections from the Fall 2019 Cohort of the Rockefeller Global Leadership Program (RGLP)

Each fall, winter, and spring, the Rockefeller Global Leadership Program (RGLP) brings together student leaders to increase their understanding of global leadership and intercultural competency. Through weekly sessions with speakers and a culminating experience to either Boston or Montreal, the students are able to learn about themselves and cross-cultural leadership. 

Fall 2019 participants were asked to write a blog post, reflecting on the topics and lessons learned throughout the program. Below are reflections from the Fall 2019 cohort who spent a weekend in Montreal as part of their culminating experience.

Charity Chen ’22: "RGLP sessions helped me to begin reflecting on these subtle differences in culture, which will hopefully help me to communicate more effectively and behave respectfully in a variety of cultural contexts." Read more here.

Ellie Cliff ’22: "As we learned with the Rockefeller Center’s Deputy Director Sadhana Hall, everyone prefers to resolve conflict in slightly different ways, though there are often some underlying similarities among people of the same culture.  For instance, many European Americans tend to prefer the discussion style of conflict resolution, while many people from the Arab Middle East prefer a more dynamic style." Read more here.

Serena de la Cruz ’19: "The excursions and cultural experiences were a key part of my RGLP experience. In particular, I really connected to Fua’s Capoeira class. It was an opportunity to explore the way culture presents itself physically." Read more here.

Anne George ’22: "I joined RGLP because it felt like a calculated risk. I thought I would listen to a few lectures, discuss the value of diversity, and meet some new people. Throughout the term, though, it became a catalyst for some profound existential crises." Read more here.

Alexander Hirsch ’22: "On our program trip to Montreal, we got a chance to experience first-hand these differences in culture through a variety of activities and experiences. Particularly important to me was our activity on Deaf culture with Seeing Voices Montreal." Read more here.

Bee Hollyer ’21: "Growing up, we are told to never change ourselves for others and to “stay true to who we are.” When our sense of self relies on our formative context, it makes sense that we are subject to evolve when introduced to cultures with other offerings." Read more here. 

Ryan Kilgallon ’21: "As college students, ambiguity is often discouraged. Our essay’s thesis statements should be precise, our mathematical proofs should detail step-by-step problem solving, and our midterm short answer questions should get to the point quickly and effectively." Read more here.

Jeffrey Li ’21: "With any new cultural experience, there will be moments when you have no idea how to act or what to say. As such, adaptability is a crucial skill that will help global leaders know how to act appropriately in uncomfortable and new cultural situations." Read more here.

Nitesh Pant ’22: "Globalism is coming to every nook and corner of this planet, whether we like it or not. With globalism comes a range of possibilities and opportunities in terms of collaboration across borders." Read more here. 

Emily Pommier ’22: "To be adaptable means to be able to shift your attitude and behavior to fit the situation you’re placed in. It means “rolling with the punches,” so to speak, when you don’t necessarily understand what’s going on all the time." Read more here.

Owen Ritz ’21: "Since visiting Peru, I try to bring this same combination of curiosity and generosity to every interaction I have – whether it is helping children brush their teeth in Pamplona Alta or helping my fellow Dartmouth with a paper or problem set." Read more here.

Anamika Shah ’21: "I’m not an international student — I’ve lived my entire life in the United States. Regardless, when I first came to Dartmouth, I was hit with a wave of culture shock." Read more here.

Sachin Shiva ’22: "The Rockefeller Global Leadership Program has showed me how to engage in dialogue across difference. To do this effectively, there are certain tools that are necessary: self-understanding, empathy, and adaptability." Read more here.

Isabela Velasco ’21: "Throughout the term, RGLP has helped me expand my definition of culture. Before engaging in the different workshop and activities that composed RGLP, culture, in my perspective, was restricted to race, nationality, and costumes." Read more here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Rockefeller Center or constitute an endorsement by the Center.