By Angel-Amon Wildgoose
During my stay in Toronto, I want to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to risk-taking and trying out new avenues for adventure. Typically, I love a thrill-seeking, group activity. I have skydived, raced in a Porsche, and flown in a helicopter. However, I have an issue with never being able to do these things alone. Stepping out on my own to do something fun by myself is one of my goals this summer. I am solo traveling to Toronto for about three weeks, and I have a goal of planning an excursion that requires me to enjoy time alone. This can be done by taking a trip to the bluffs in Scarborough or going to a concert in Downtown Toronto. This is a personal goal of mine, while I have two other goals set that are progressive to my project.
Secondly, I want to experience the cultural practices of my host family. My hosts, Adelaida and Dave, immigrated from the Phillipines to Toronto in the year 2000. They are very in touch with the cultural beliefs and practices of their birth country, and share this experience with their guests. I have already done this on my trip by eating traditional dinners with them, adhering to their house rules, and going to a couple Sunday sermons at their international church. This is beneficial to my capstone project because I will have a section talking about my culture shock and what I’ve learned from both the benefits and setbacks.
Thirdly, I want to take what I learned from the Hart House and use it as a starting point to the club I am trying to form at Florida State. The Hart House is essentially a community center at the University of Toronto that promotes diversity, arts, and inclusivity. So far, I have been in awe of the amazing things they do there; The Black Future Initiative is a program that uses the idea of Afrofuturism as a tool for progress with Black college students, and the Hip-Hop education program uses a scholarly approach for students to explore hip-hop as a teachable art. When I spoke with the program leaders this past Monday, I wanted to collaborate with them to help create Kokoye, a multimedia group that would highlight the talents of students of color on Florida State’s campus. This is where my Honors In The Major project becomes bigger than just words and presentations, it becomes a practice amongst other young people that can be generational in transaction.
Two competencies skills that I want to work on this summer are my critical thinking and teamwork skills. This is especially prevalent in my last goal listed. Working with scholars in my field who also challenge my understandings and views has been an eye-opening journey. These are worth pursuing to strengthen my connections with professionals and have a great reputation when working with them. My involvement with the Hart House is a permanent part of my college experience that I would like to extend beyond my four years at Florida State. Longevity in academic relationships is essential and synonymous with a long-lasting career in my major, in my opinion.
My current feelings going through my experience can be explained through an art exhibition I saw in Toronto that was centered around dementia prevention. It showed a series of brain models, but each were reflective of how the artist felt. For example, one artist compared their brain to an ever-cycling bike that is constantly moving and tiring itself. Under each brain was the cause of their feelings along with a solution to prevent it. I feel if I were to design my brain, it would be excited, bright, and organized. I am so excited to continue my chapters with my research and ready to take the steps necessary to achieve my goals.
*Picture is of me and the Hart House Directors*
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