With this being my final entry, I would like to use this opportunity to fully reflect on what I have learned in my time as a Life Course Scholar.
From the time of my last entry, I underwent an aging milestone of my own, turning twenty-two. Before taking this class, I dreaded the thought of aging. Being 21 felt like a new world of opportunities waiting for me to spend time with my friends, go out, and make the most out of my youth. However, in my eyes, these moments were fleeting with age and the imminence of graduation. It was this bookend of my chapter at UCSD that I was afraid of, the idea that the opportunities that I had in college were no longer available to me. However, this class and reading Leland’s “Happiness is a Choice You Make” shifted my perspective, focusing on what can be gained in the present rather than what could be lost in the future.
From this class, I was able to connect to older adults– something I rarely did before. I was grateful to have spent some time with my great aunt, reflecting on her life full of accomplishments in civil engineering and international development. I am glad to be able to continue to share her story and her feats as a single, Filipina immigrant who uplifted her family members, including myself. I was also able to connect with older adults at the Love, Connect, Care event by making art with and for them. While there was a slight language barrier, through art, I was able to connect with them and brighten up their day.
Everywhere I go, I begin to notice what life would be like as an older adult. Walking around San Diego, I begin to wonder if the sidewalks are wide enough, if there is enough light to see during the night, and if buildings would be accessible. It is important for us all to recognize and address issues often faced by older adults to ensure not just a better condition of living for them, but also to create infrastructure to benefit us as we age ourselves.
I am grateful for Professor Lewis, the UIAs, my fellow Life Course Scholars, and the wonderful community members who made the LCS program such an enriching experience for me to be a part of.
From the time of my last entry, I underwent an aging milestone of my own, turning twenty-two. Before taking this class, I dreaded the thought of aging. Being 21 felt like a new world of opportunities waiting for me to spend time with my friends, go out, and make the most out of my youth. However, in my eyes, these moments were fleeting with age and the imminence of graduation. It was this bookend of my chapter at UCSD that I was afraid of, the idea that the opportunities that I had in college were no longer available to me. However, this class and reading Leland’s “Happiness is a Choice You Make” shifted my perspective, focusing on what can be gained in the present rather than what could be lost in the future.
From this class, I was able to connect to older adults– something I rarely did before. I was grateful to have spent some time with my great aunt, reflecting on her life full of accomplishments in civil engineering and international development. I am glad to be able to continue to share her story and her feats as a single, Filipina immigrant who uplifted her family members, including myself. I was also able to connect with older adults at the Love, Connect, Care event by making art with and for them. While there was a slight language barrier, through art, I was able to connect with them and brighten up their day.
Everywhere I go, I begin to notice what life would be like as an older adult. Walking around San Diego, I begin to wonder if the sidewalks are wide enough, if there is enough light to see during the night, and if buildings would be accessible. It is important for us all to recognize and address issues often faced by older adults to ensure not just a better condition of living for them, but also to create infrastructure to benefit us as we age ourselves.
I am grateful for Professor Lewis, the UIAs, my fellow Life Course Scholars, and the wonderful community members who made the LCS program such an enriching experience for me to be a part of.