Blog #2: Rihab Mansouri - Post #4

 

Your Voice, Your Future: Why Every Vote Matters

Hello everyone! My name is Rihab, and I am currently a first-year college student at Miami Dade College (MDC). I am taking SPC2608, Public Speaking, where I have the opportunity to improve my communication skills, become more confident speaking in front of others, and learn from different classroom activities. Since this is my first year in an American college, I find these experiences especially valuable because they help me discover more about American society, its history, and the issues that affect people's everyday lives.

Recently, our class worked on a group project about elections and why they matter. Each group presented a different subject, including immigration policies, the economy, education policies, and the electorate and election process. I found this project interesting because all these topics are connected to our daily lives, even when we do not always realize it. In this blog, I will share what I learned from each presentation, the ideas that caught my attention, and how this experience helped me see the importance of being informed and using our voices.

 The first presentation was from my own group, Group 4, and our subject was immigration policies. We discussed what these policies mean, why they exist, and how they influence both immigrants and the United States. Through researching this topic, I learned that immigration policies are rules and laws that determine who can enter, live, and work in a country. I also discovered that these policies have different purposes, such as keeping borders organized, helping families reunite, and meeting the country's workforce needs.

One thing that interested me was how immigration affects many parts of American life, including the economy, housing, employment, and public services. I believe this subject is especially important because the United States is a country with people from many different backgrounds. As someone who came from another country, I found this topic meaningful because it helped me understand the challenges and opportunities that immigrants experience. Working with my classmates also taught me that presenting is not only about sharing information but also about helping people understand a subject from different perspectives.

The second group, Group 3, focused on the American economy. Before this presentation, I understood that the economy was connected to money, jobs, and businesses, but I learned that it is much more complicated than that. The group explained how the American economy developed from agriculture into a system based on industries, technology, services, and international trade.

Something that really caught my attention was the idea that a growing economy does not always mean that life becomes easier for everyone. For example, people may have jobs and earn money, but the increasing prices of rent, food, transportation, and gas can still make it difficult to afford basic needs. I found this point very realistic because these are expenses that many families deal with every day. I also learned that government decisions and elections can influence economic issues such as taxes, employment, and public spending. This presentation helped me understand why people should pay attention to economic policies when choosing their leaders.

The third presentation was from Group 2, and their topic was education policies. I enjoyed learning about how education in the United States has changed over the years. In the 1600s and 1700s, many schools were connected to religious organizations, and educational opportunities were not equally available to everyone. Today, education has developed through technology, modern teaching methods, and different academic standards.

One of the most interesting points for me was how social media, video games, and other forms of technology can affect students' concentration and academic performance. Another idea that really made me think was that test scores do not always represent a student's true abilities. I personally agree with this because every student has a different learning experience, and one exam cannot show all the effort, progress, and knowledge someone has gained over the years. As a college student, I believe education should focus on helping students develop their abilities and prepare for their future, not only on their grades. This presentation reminded me that education policies are important because they can create opportunities or challenges for the next generation.

Finally, Group 1 presented the topic of the electorate and the election process. This presentation helped me understand how presidential elections work in the United States and what role the Electoral College plays. I learned that there are 538 electoral votes in total, and a presidential candidate generally needs at least 270 to win the election. Each state receives a certain number of electoral votes depending on its representation in Congress.

I also learned that the Electoral College was created to balance the influence of citizens and the states when selecting the president. One example that stood out to me was the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Learning about this event helped me understand that elections are not simply about choosing someone to lead the country. They also involve respecting democratic institutions and accepting the results of a peaceful election process. I found this topic important because understanding how elections work allows people to become more responsible and informed citizens.

After listening to all four groups, I realized that these subjects are more connected than they first appear. Immigration can influence the economy, education prepares people for future opportunities, and elections allow citizens to participate in decisions that affect their communities. Each presentation gave me a different perspective and helped me understand issues that I may not have thought about deeply before.

I also learned something important about public speaking itself. A successful presentation is not just about having good information on slides. It is also about how you communicate that information. Confidence, eye contact, voice projection, organization, and connecting with the audience can make a big difference. I noticed that the presentations were more interesting when speakers used real-life examples, asked questions, and explained their ideas instead of simply reading from their slides. This is something I want to continue improving in my own public speaking skills.

Overall, I really enjoyed this project because it gave me the chance to learn from my classmates while improving my own understanding of important American issues. As a first-year college student, I know that I still have many things to discover, and experiences like these help me grow both academically and personally. I also realized that being informed is the first step toward making good decisions. We cannot expect our communities to improve if we do not understand the challenges they face or participate in conversations about their future.

At the end of the day, voting is more than choosing a name on a ballot. It is about expressing what we believe in, supporting the changes we want to see, and taking responsibility for our future.

Never underestimate the power of your voice. You do not need to be famous, powerful, or important to make a difference. Sometimes, one decision, one voice, and one vote can be the beginning of something much bigger.