African Dance
I took this class as one of my friends, a dance minor, recommended it to me. I had never done any sort of dance until I came to the United States. Growing up in Vietnam, a Southeast Asian country where stereotype girl is skinny, feminine and fragile, I have always been judged and made fun of because of my "oversize" figure even though I was considered to be "skinny" here. My friends did not exaggerate, Dance 234: "African dance and culture" is one of the best class I have ever taken in college. We got to learn dance of the French Guinean people with live drums in the background, have group outings to African dance class in Seattle area and learn about the African people culture from my instructor's husband, who is a French Guinean dancer.
Leadership Competencies Gained
Confidence
I have never thought I could be able to dance but our instructor has changed that thought. My instructor is a cheerleader and she cheers on each and every single one of us: "Get lowerrrrr! More fireeeee!". I believe everyone can dance if they want to, and nothing should hold them back once they truly want to do what they want. I was a reserved girl, but this class has taught me that I should be open more about myself and confident to raise my voice.
Nonverbal communication
Dancing is a form of nonverbal communication. Leaders and dancers have many things in common, in a way that they can connect with other people without using words, and they can inspire others with the energy they have. When we dance in group on stage, no one talks or signals to each other, but we communicate through physical bodily movement and facial expression. Leaders also need to be flexible like dancers, not physically, but mentally and emotionally. Leaders need to realize that everyone is unique, and that a leadership style can work in this situation but not that thus be flexible to changes.
I have never thought I could be able to dance but our instructor has changed that thought. My instructor is a cheerleader and she cheers on each and every single one of us: "Get lowerrrrr! More fireeeee!". I believe everyone can dance if they want to, and nothing should hold them back once they truly want to do what they want. I was a reserved girl, but this class has taught me that I should be open more about myself and confident to raise my voice.
Nonverbal communication
Dancing is a form of nonverbal communication. Leaders and dancers have many things in common, in a way that they can connect with other people without using words, and they can inspire others with the energy they have. When we dance in group on stage, no one talks or signals to each other, but we communicate through physical bodily movement and facial expression. Leaders also need to be flexible like dancers, not physically, but mentally and emotionally. Leaders need to realize that everyone is unique, and that a leadership style can work in this situation but not that thus be flexible to changes.