Cultural Competence

For my portfolio, I selected artifacts that represent my engagement with both cultural products and cultural practices within the Spanish-speaking world. Each artifact reflects a different aspect of my academic and personal growth as a Spanish major, showcasing how literature, history, and cultural traditions have deepened my understanding of Latin America and its people. These selections also highlight how my studies in Spanish complement my primary major in economics, allowing me to explore complex ideas that parallel the intellectual challenges I love in economic research.

For the section on cultural products, I included my essays on the poetry of Vallejo and Neruda, as well as my analysis of Borges’ literature through the lens of quantum mechanics. These works demonstrate my ability to critically analyze major literary figures from Latin America and how their writings engage with deep philosophical and social themes. My Borges essay, in particular, demonstrates why I have grown to love his writing. His stories make me think in ways that are just as rigorous and thought-provoking as economic models and causal relationships. Just as I look at data and policy effects in economics, Borges makes me question reality, perception, and the multiple layers of human experience. This interdisciplinary thinking has become one of my greatest academic takeaways from studying Spanish literature.

For the section on cultural practices, I selected my essays on the concept of tabula rasa in the colonization of Latin America and the cultural significance of Mayan beauty standards. These pieces show my ability to engage with historical and sociological perspectives, considering how cultural identity has been shaped by colonial narratives and indigenous traditions. Writing about the way European conquerors imposed their vision of civilization on the Americas made me reflect on the long-term effects of cultural erasure and adaptation. Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend a study abroad in Mexico, where we learned of Mayan beauty practices. Writing and researching these practices revealed the depth of indigenous traditions and how notions of aesthetics and status are deeply embedded in all societies, including our own. These essays have helped me develop a more nuanced understanding of Latin America beyond the economic data and policies I study in my economics major.

Through these assignments, I have not only improved my Spanish reading and writing skills but also developed a greater appreciation for the complexity of Latin American culture. When I first started my Spanish major, I focused primarily on language acquisition, but over time, I realized that language is just the gateway to a much richer world of literature, history, and philosophy. Each essay I wrote challenged me to articulate ideas in Spanish, think critically about cultural narratives, and engage with texts that have shaped Latin American thought. Additionally, as I have embraced the culture behind the language, my mindset and perspectives have broadened, and I have become a better person for it.

Going forward, I want to keep my connection to Latin America strong. My goal is to visit Mexico every year, or, if my wife has her way, a different Spanish-speaking country each year. I need to dance Cumbia and Bachata with locals, eat tacos on a street corner, and continue immersing myself in the vibrant cultures I have studied. Beyond travel, I also want to maintain my Spanish reading skills by committing to reading at least one book in Spanish every year. Whether it's another Borges collection, a novel by a contemporary Latin American writer, or even essays on economic policies in the region, I want to continue engaging with the language and ideas that have fascinated me throughout my studies.

Ultimately, my Spanish major has been much more than just learning a language. It has shaped the way I think, challenged me to see the world through different perspectives, and given me a deep appreciation for the cultures and people of Latin America. I plan to carry these experiences with me, not just in my academic and professional pursuits, but in the way I experience the world, one conversation, one dance, and one book at a time.