This Ethnography class, I learned from this reading, how Hurricane Maria deeply transformed both the people of Puerto Rico and the author herself, revealing the emotional weight of fear, loss, and resilience in the aftermath of disaster. The experience pushed the author to rethink her entire approach to research, showing that true understanding requires listening to communities, respecting their histories, and acknowledging the impact of colonization on traditional ethnographic methods. She discovered that meaningful research must be collaborative, rooted in humility, and centered on the voices of the people living the reality not filtered through a distant academic lens. Ultimately, the text teaches that radical ethnography is about decolonizing knowledge, valuing indigenous and local perspectives, and using research as a tool for healing, justice, and positive change.

Comp 2 

Working on this autobiography and Research essay helped me understand how personal stories can reveal deeper truths about identity, struggle, and growth.

Overall, both classes helped me develop not only my academic skills but also my ability to think critically about the world around me. I am grateful for the knowledge I gained, the discussions I participated in, and the opportunity to challenge myself. As the semester comes to an end, I carry forward the lessons I learned and hope to apply them in future classes and personal experiences.