My first week at AYA was a mix of nerves and excitement. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was ready to experience something new. The idea of being in a real college classroom, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, was a little intimidating, but it also felt like an opportunity I didn’t want to miss. Right away, I could tell this program wasn’t going to be just another summer activity. It was something that could push me to grow and challenge how I think and express myself.
In COMM 101 with Professor Rogelio Lopez, we were introduced to key ideas in communication, such as encoding and decoding. It made me realize how easily messages can be misunderstood, focusing on how they are delivered or received. Before this, I never really thought about how much thought goes into how we communicate, whether we’re texting, speaking, or sharing something on social media. I started to see that communication isn’t just about what you say, but how, when, and where you say it.
One reading that truly stood out to me was Representation and Missed Representation by Jimmeka Anderson. It made me think more deeply about how the media often shapes individuals’ views of different communities, especially Black people. The way we’re portrayed can either uplift us or feed harmful stereotypes. This reading encouraged me to think about the type of media I watch and how I can be more aware of what messages are being sent, both directly and indirectly. It showed me that media representation isn’t just a small issue, it has real consequences.
Socially, I was still pretty quiet during the first week. I didn’t go out of my way to talk to new people yet, mostly because I was still adjusting to the space and figuring out where I fit. But I wasn’t completely alone, I had one friend from my school who was also in the program, and having them around gave me a sense of comfort. I watched how others interacted and slowly started to feel a little more at ease, even if I wasn’t ready to jump into conversations just yet.
Another highlight from the week was our visit to the California African American Museum, which was for our Journalism 101 class. I had never been there before, and walking through the exhibits left a strong impact on me. The stories, artwork, and history on display made me think about how storytelling and representation go hand in hand. It was a reminder that communication isn’t always verbal; sometimes it’s visual, emotional, or cultural. That experience made me appreciate how journalism and communication can work together to preserve and uplift powerful narratives.
Looking back on Week One, I may not have said a lot out loud, but I was listening, learning, and slowly stepping out of my comfort zone. It was a week of adjustment and quiet reflection, but also one that sparked a lot of new thoughts. And even though I came in unsure, I know I’ve already started to shift in small meaningful ways.
Communicating Change 