Week 13- Integration Two (jbaile22) 12-3-21 Moreau- First Year Experience Integration Two Responding to my Irish Surroundings I think that in order to best understand what I have encountered and how I will respond, I should analyze my life before my time at Notre Dame. Specifically, I will be thinking about my high school friends, and how they all went to Purdue except for me. I was worried that I would be missing out on all of the fun things my high school friends did together, and I would be with an inferior group of people at Notre Dame. A quote from the Week 9 QQC that stuck out to me comes from the New York Times article, which said “The notion that my college friends should be stand-ins for my close relationships from home: impossible” (Advice from a Formerly Lonely College Student by Emery Bergmann- Moreau FYE Week 9). This helped me realize that at some point, I would have to make my own path and go on my own. College is a great time for this, as I am surrounded by such a diverse group of people and can truly be myself. Here I am encountering a new group of people that will become my friends for life, and I am responding to my previous worries about my high school friends by recognizing that one does not replace the other. The Week 10 QQC reminded me of how important it is to be inclusive when considering your own community. Personally, I have not encountered many situations where I was excluded due to my ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc., but I am aware that this happens to millions every day. In order to combat this, I hope that when I encounter others going through something similar to this, I can provide a warm welcome to them. A quote that comes from the Wesley Theological Seminary Commencement speech helped me think about this, where Father John Jenkins told the audience “We cannot pretend to stand outside this. We are woven into it” (Wesley Theological https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/09/well/family/advice-from-a-formerly-lonely-college-student.html https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/09/well/family/advice-from-a-formerly-lonely-college-student.html https://president.nd.edu/writings-addresses/2012-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ Seminary 2012 Commencement Address" by Fr. John Jenkins- Moreau FYE Week 10 ). Even if I am not directly impacted, I must be a force for good and positivity. Whether that be in my dorm or in a class, I know that I need to be inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of who they are. Week 11’s QQC really stood out to me, as it spoke about difficult times in life. The Courage and Renewal Article had a good line, where Parker J. Palmer wrote “Hard experiences… are not the death knell of community: they are the gateway into the real thing” ("Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community" by Parker J. Palmer- Moreau FYE Week 11). Just like everyone else, I have encountered countless hard experiences in the past few months since I have arrived at Notre Dame. From something minute like getting a bad test score to something more serious like a falling apart with a close friend, there have definitely been tough days. However, I have learned a lot about both myself and others from these experiences. Just like the quote says, said experiences have strengthened myself and the relationships I have with those closest to me. I confide in them when I need someone to talk to, and I know they always have my back. These negative encounters I have had during my time at Notre Dame have been unfortunate, but I have responded by truly discovering those closest to me. I think that “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis is a really unique piece of literature, as it caused me to think unlike many other things that I have read. When relating it to the darkest times in my life, I think the quote that reminded me of it was “To decide what the best use of it is, you must ask what use the Enemy wants to make of it, and then do the opposite” ( "The Screwtape Letters" Chapter 8 by C.S. Lewis- Moreau FYE Week 12). I can greatly apply this to my social life, such as when I am being peer pressured and tempted by others. Those who do not have my best interest at heart may want me to drink or smoke too much, but what I should do is recognize that this is not what I should do. This “enemy” wants me to do something that will https://president.nd.edu/writings-addresses/2012-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ http://couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/ https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28217/files/192386?wrap=1 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28217/files/192386?wrap=1 harm me, so I should prove them wrong and ignore them. I need to prioritize what will bring me true happiness and success in life, and avoid the distractions that will cause me to suffer in the long run. Over the next four years I will encounter situations and people that will tempt me, but I should respond by turning them down and making the right choice. This semester of the Moreau First Year Experience has been a great opportunity to step back and reflect on where I want my college career to go. I started my journey in August with hardly any knowledge or expectations of where the semester would take me, and looking back now in December, I can tell how much of an impact this course has had. I have been able to discern how I should treat my relationships with others, and to prioritize certain ones over others. I have learned how to turn down harmful situations, and to know what is right for me. I have learned my strengths and weaknesses, and to work on my weaknesses while maintaining my strengths. All of the things that we have covered in this course are directly applicable to my everyday life, and I am extremely grateful for that. I know that this knowledge will apply to my next semester’s Moreau course, as well as every course over the next three and a half years at Notre Dame. However, this course will not just apply to my time at Notre Dame, but the rest of my life. I have learned how to be a better son, brother, roommate, friend, and family member. I have learned that when I encounter certain situations, I need to respond in a way that is good and wholesome.