FINAL POST: REFLECTIONS

The One World class cluster afforded me the opportunity to learn things that I had never even thought about before. I've received various training and taken various classes of a multicultural nature before; however, it always seemed to be limited to local cultures. I liked that this class cluster focused on a worldly perspective. I hope to be a Probation Officer and I will no doubt be working with those from all different religious and ethnic backgrounds. It is important to have this knowledge in my field choice for effective communication and effective ways of approaching people.

On a more personal note, I can't help but reflect on where I'm at today in life as my college career comes to an end. My grandfather, the son of Italian immigrants who came to America without a penny to their names, worked his hands to the bone to support a wife and four sons. He always told his children and grand children how important education is because its something that can never be taken from you. It wasn't until after his death when I was 17 (I was holding his hand when he took his last breath), that I learned why education was so important to him. My grandfather only had an Eighth Grade education; that's all my grandmother had too. Now it made sense. He wanted better for the generations after him. My pop served his country honorably in the Army for 22 years, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. Grandpa served in World War II in the Navy. How ironic that you can't serve in the military today without a high school diploma.

My pop eventually completed college after retiring from the Army and I, once a high school drop-out, have now become the only one of five kids to graduate college. From penniless Italian immigrants with no education at all to college degrees, we sure have come a long way baby :o) I miss you grampa <3