Blog #2 Geylan Fonseca

 

         My Thoughts About the Presentations

For our Elections Matter project, everyone in the class worked in groups and discussed different topics related to the United States. Some groups had the election process, education policies, and the economy, while my group had immigration. I think all these topics are important because they affect our lives in different ways. I couldn't watch all the presentations, but I still wanted to share my thoughts on the topics. One thing I like about this project is that it makes us think about real-life situations, not just things we read in a textbook.

                                   The Election Process

One topic was the election process. I think this topic matters because elections give people the opportunity to choose who they want to represent them in government. Before taking American Government, I didn't really understand how elections worked in the United States. I knew people voted for the president, but I didn't know much about Congress or political parties. One thing I learned in this class is that elections aren't only about choosing a president. Many other positions are important too. I think people should pay attention to elections because the people they choose make decisions that affect their lives. For example, the government makes decisions about education, jobs, healthcare, and immigration. I also think young people should learn more about politics because sometimes we don't pay attention to something until it affects us personally. Even though politics isn't always the most interesting subject for me, I think we should understand it because it is part of our future.

                                      Education Policies

Another topic was education policies. This topic relates to me because I am a college student, and education is very important to me. I think going to college is a good opportunity, but it can also be difficult when students have other responsibilities. One thing I think about education is how expensive it can be. Many students have to work while going to school because they need money for transportation, books, and other expenses. Sometimes it is stressful trying to do everything at once. I think students should have more opportunities to receive financial help. Another important thing is supporting students from other countries. When I first came to the United States from Cuba, I had to get used to many things, especially the language. Now that I am in college, English is still challenging for me sometimes. I understand what the professor is saying, but sometimes it is difficult to explain my ideas the way I want. Because of that, I think schools should continue helping students who are learning English. Not everyone learns at the same speed. I also believe education can help us achieve our dreams. For example, I want to become a nurse, and I know studying and working hard are important steps toward that goal.

                                         The Economy

The economy was another topic from the project. I think everyone can relate to this because we all need money for our daily lives. Even if someone is not interested in politics, the economy can still affect them. One thing I notice is how expensive everything has become. Going to the grocery store, buying gas, paying rent, and even going out with friends can cost a lot. Sometimes I wonder how families with several children manage to pay for everything. I think having a good job is important because people want to support themselves and their families. But sometimes a job isn't enough when everything is so expensive. I have worked before, so I know that earning money takes time and effort. I also understand that balancing work and school can be difficult. Sometimes, after a long day, the last thing you want to do is homework, but you still have to do it because school matters for your future. I believe the government should pay attention to the problems that working families and students face. People work hard because they want a better life, but sometimes it is not easy. I also think the economy connects to immigration because many people leave their countries looking for better jobs and opportunities.

                                     Immigration Policies

My group's topic was immigration around the world. This was the topic I felt most connected to because I am an immigrant myself. I came from Cuba to the United States, and I know that moving to a different country is not always easy. When people talk about immigration, they sometimes think only of laws or the border, but there is much more behind it. Many people leave their families, friends, and everything they know because they want a better future. For my part of the project, I compared the citizenship process in the United States and Canada. Before my research, I didn't know much about Canada's requirements. I learned that both countries have different rules immigrants must follow to become citizens. I enjoyed learning about this because it helped me understand immigration from another perspective. Sometimes we only know how things work in the country where we live, and we forget that other countries have different systems. I also liked that I could connect this topic to my own life. Coming to the United States has given me opportunities, but I have also experienced challenges, especially with learning English and adapting to a different environment. I think people should understand that immigrants are not all the same. Everyone has a different story, and many people are trying to give themselves and their families a better future.

                                       My Final Thoughts

Overall, I think Elections Matter was an interesting project because all the topics were about things that affect people in everyday life. Even though I didn't get to see all the other groups' presentations, I think their topics were important. What I liked about the project was that each group had a different topic, but they were all connected. Elections influence government decisions, education helps us prepare for the future, the economy affects how people live, and immigration changes many families' lives. For me, the most interesting part was immigration because I could relate it to my personal experience. I also think education and the economy matter because they affect my life as a college student. I would have liked to hear more about the other groups' research and opinions because everyone has different experiences and ways of thinking. In the end, this project helped me think about how government decisions affect our lives, even when we don't notice it. I think it is important to understand what is happening around us because today's decisions can influence our future. I still have many things to learn about American Government, but I feel like I understand more now than I did at the beginning of the semester.