Leanys Sainz - Blog 2.

              

   Elections              Matter 

    My Reflection.

The Elections Matter project was a really interesting experience because it helped me understand how much politics and government decisions affect our everyday lives. Before this project, I knew that elections were important, but I never really thought about how many different things were connected to them. When we hear about elections, we usually think about presidents, political parties, and voting, but there is so much more behind those topics. Throughout this project, we learned about the election process, education policies, the economy, and immigration. Even though each group focused on something different, I realized that all these subjects are connected in one way or another.

One thing I really liked about this project was that we were able to learn from each other. Instead of just reading information from a textbook, we had the opportunity to research different topics, prepare presentations, and share what we learned with our classmates. I think this made the experience more interesting because everyone had something different to contribute. It also made me realize that there are many things happening in our country that we sometimes don't pay enough attention to, even though they can directly affect our futures.

 

Group 1: Electorate and Election Process

    The first group focused on the electorate and the election process. I think this was a very important topic because before we can understand why elections matter, we need to understand how they work and why people participate in them.

Something that stood out to me was the importance of being informed before voting. I think that sometimes people support a candidate because of what they see on social media, what their family believes, or what their friends say. However, I realized that voting should be a personal decision based on understanding the candidates, their ideas, and the policies they want to introduce.

Another thing I thought about was how important young people are in elections. Sometimes younger generations don't pay much attention to politics because they feel that it doesn't affect them yet. I used to think that some political issues were more important for older adults, but now I understand that the decisions being made today can affect our opportunities tomorrow.

For example, decisions about education, employment, and the economy can influence what our lives will look like after college. Even if someone cannot vote yet, I think learning about elections and understanding how the government works is a good way to prepare for the future.

This presentation reminded me that participating in society is not just about having an opinion. It is also about taking the time to learn, asking questions, and understanding why certain decisions are important.

Group 2: Education Policies

    Education Policies was the topic my group worked on, and it was definitely one of the most meaningful parts of the project for me. My responsibility was to explain what education policies are and talk about their history. While preparing my section, I learned more about how the educational system has changed over time and how government decisions have helped shape the opportunities students have today.

Before doing my research, I never really stopped to think about how many policies influence education. As students, we usually focus on our classes, assignments, grades, and exams, but there are many decisions happening behind the scenes that affect our educational experiences.

Something I found particularly interesting was understanding that education has not always been equally accessible to everyone. Throughout history, different policies have influenced who could attend school, what resources were available, and how education was organized. Learning about these changes made me appreciate the opportunities students have today, while also understanding that there are still things that could be improved.

As a student at Miami Dade College, this topic was very personal to me. I am studying Business Administration, and one of my goals is to continue my education and eventually earn my bachelor's degree. Education is something I take seriously because I believe it can help me become more independent and create better opportunities for my future.

I also learned from the other members of my group. We discussed financial aid, higher education, the responsibilities of state and federal governments, and differences between education systems around the world. I thought it was interesting to see how all these subjects connected to the main topic.

Financial aid was especially relevant because college can be expensive, and many students depend on financial assistance to continue studying. Programs like FAFSA and the Federal Pell Grant can make a difference for students who qualify. I think it is important for students to understand these resources and how government decisions can influence their availability.

Another thing I appreciated was the experience of working with my classmates. Everyone had their own responsibilities, and we had to organize our information so that the presentation made sense as a whole. It helped me practice communication, responsibility, and teamwork.

I also think presenting information in front of other people is a useful experience. Even when you understand your topic, explaining it clearly can be challenging. This project gave me the opportunity to practice expressing my ideas and sharing information with others.

Group 3: The Economy

    The presentation about the economy was another one that caught my attention because it is something that affects everyone, whether we realize it or not.

When people talk about the economy, they often mention inflation, taxes, wages, and employment. Sometimes these topics can sound complicated, but when we think about our everyday lives, they become much easier to understand.

For example, the cost of groceries, transportation, housing, and other necessities can affect how people manage their money. As someone who works while attending college, I understand how important it is to balance expenses and responsibilities.

I work as a shift supervisor at a gelato shop, and having a job has taught me a lot about responsibility and financial independence. It has also made me more aware of how important wages and the cost of living are. When prices increase, people have to adjust their budgets, and sometimes that means working more hours or spending less on other things.

This is why I found the economy presentation so relevant. It reminded me that decisions made by the government can influence businesses, workers, students, and families.

Something else I thought about was how economic policies can affect our future careers. As a Business Administration student, I am interested in understanding how businesses operate and how economic conditions influence their decisions.

I think this presentation helped me realize that when we listen to political candidates talk about the economy, we should try to understand what their proposals actually mean instead of simply believing every promise.

Group 4: Immigration Policies

    The immigration presentation was probably the one I connected with the most on a personal level, besides my own group's topic.

Immigration has been a very important part of my life because I was born in Cuba, moved to Tenerife in the Canary Islands when I was only one year old, and later moved to Miami when I was fifteen.

Even though I was born in Cuba, I don't really remember living there because I left when I was a baby. I grew up in Spain, and that was the place I considered home throughout my childhood. Moving to the United States was a completely different experience because I had to adapt to a new country, a different educational system, and a new environment.

I remember that one of the biggest changes was having to study in English. Even though I had learned some English before moving, using it every day at school was different. I had to become more comfortable communicating with people and understanding how things worked here.

Because of my experiences, immigration is not just a political topic to me. It is something that has influenced my life and the person I am today.

When politicians discuss immigration, they often focus on laws, borders, and regulations, but I think it is important to remember that there are real people and families behind these discussions.

Immigration policies can affect people's opportunities to study, work, live with their families, and build a better future. I believe it is important to understand different perspectives because immigration is a complicated issue, and every person's experience is different.

Living in Miami has also shown me how diverse a community can be. There are people from Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, and many other countries. Everyone brings their own culture, traditions, and experiences, and I think that diversity is one of the things that makes Miami special.

This presentation reminded me how much government decisions can influence people's lives and why it is important to consider the human side of political issues.

    What I Took Away from the Project

    After listening to the different presentations, one of the biggest things I realized was how connected all these topics are.

Education policies can affect the opportunities students have. Economic policies can influence whether families can afford college and other necessities. Immigration policies can affect where people live, work, and study. Elections help determine who will make decisions about these issues.

I also enjoyed seeing how my classmates approached their presentations. Everyone had different ways of explaining information, and I think that made the project more interesting. It was a good opportunity to hear different perspectives and learn about subjects that I might not have researched on my own.

Another important part of this experience was learning to work with other people. Group projects require communication, organization, and patience. Everyone has different schedules and responsibilities, so it is important to cooperate and make sure everyone contributes.

I think these skills are useful not only in college but also in our future careers and everyday lives.

Final Reflection

    Overall, I think Elections Matter was a valuable project because it helped me understand that politics is not something separate from our daily lives. It influences our education, jobs, finances, families, and opportunities.

Before this project, I didn't always pay attention to how government decisions could affect my future. Now I understand that being informed is important, especially as a young adult who is studying, working, and trying to build a career.

I also learned that civic participation is about more than voting. It includes staying informed, listening to different opinions, asking questions, and being involved in our communities.

One thing I will remember from this experience is that everyone has a different perspective based on their background and personal experiences. My experiences growing up in Spain, moving to the United States, attending college, and working have shaped the way I understand some of these issues.

I am glad that we had the opportunity to explore these topics because they helped me think more seriously about the future and the responsibilities we have as members of society.

Most importantly, this project reminded me that even though we are still students, our opinions and experiences matter. We are part of the generation that will help shape the future, and I believe learning about these issues is an important first step.

Elections matter because the decisions made today can influence the opportunities we have tomorrow.

VIDEO WHY WE HAVE TO VOTE? LETS ASK KIDS