Completing the GEM minor has been so much more than a taking a set of courses and filling credit. Rather, it has been more of a culmination of courses and experiences that have broadened my perspective of cultures, systems, and histories. Before taking my Global Studies courses, I had a very one-dimensional understanding (or lack thereof) of history. This led to an even more short sided understanding of international politics. If one does not understand the exclusive histories of different groups of people, it is impossible to make sound judgements about international systems or events. Some courses that have been especially impactful are Terrorism and Film, The Global Village, and Democracy and Social Movements in East Asia. I now better understand the character of world regions, their respective developmental trajectories, and the way those trajectories fit within the larger context of globalization. Learning about other people’s histories has allowed me to move away from a one-dimensional understanding of history and way of thinking. The global experiences I have had over the past four years have challenged me to invest in the potential of local resources, knowledge, skills and materials. Instead of spreading American narratives, I listen and learn. When I traveled for vacation, I convinced my family to explore local towns rather than sitting on the beach or going to the ‘touristy’ stops. When I studied international relations in the UK, I was careful to ask a lot of questions. In the United States, I took 6 years of Spanish and challenged my company to invest in bilingual resources as well. My intercultural experiences in the GEM minor have pushed me to take a step back from my day to day, and adopt broader more intercultural perspectives and skills. While many people agree on the power of globalization, the morality of this movement is questionable. Liberals consider globalization to be synonymous with peace and prosperity, while Leftists disagree. Leftists claim that modern capitalism creates an environment of inequality and an unbalanced division of labor. The third group, mercantilists and nationalists, understand globalization as a source of cultural conflict and political instability. In the process of completing GEM, I have concluded that the truth lies somewhere in the middle of this tripart debate; globalization can be a force both good and evil in the modern world system. With this understanding I want to ensure that when I do interact with other people on a global scale, I do so in a way that is both progressive and respectful.