Gaitina Barthelemy Reflection Blog #2

🌿 Reflection on Class Presentations: Healthcare, Families, and the Environment

When I first saw the list of presentation topics for our class, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The themes—healthcare, families, and environmental and economic issues—all felt connected in some ways, but I didn’t realize just how much overlap there really was until everyone started presenting. Watching each group share their research, stories, and perspectives made me see how the things we often treat as separate—like health, money, and the environment—are actually deeply intertwined. By the end of all the presentations, I found myself thinking not only about what I learned but also how much I genuinely enjoyed seeing everyone’s effort come to life.

                     

                   💉 Healthcare and Families: The Human Side

The presentations on healthcare and families hit me on a personal level. I’ve always thought of healthcare as a system—hospitals, insurance, doctors—but these presentations made it feel more human. One group focused on how healthcare costs affect family decisions, like whether parents can afford to take their kids to the doctor or have to choose between bills and medicine. Hearing that put things in perspective for me. I started to think about my own family and how lucky we’ve been to have access to good healthcare, even when things got tight.

Another presentation talked about mental health in families, which I thought was one of the most honest and emotional ones. The presenters mentioned how the stress of modern life, social media, and financial struggles can affect family relationships and well-being. What stood out to me most was how they spoke about breaking the stigma—encouraging open conversations about therapy and emotional struggles. That message really stayed with me. It reminded me that sometimes the best healthcare doesn’t come from medicine but from understanding and support.

                                    

 🌎 My Group: Environmental and Economic Issues

Our group’s topic—environmental and economic connections—was something I ended up caring about way more than I expected. At first, I thought it would just be about pollution and money, but the deeper we researched, the more we realized how environmental issues directly affect people’s health, livelihoods, and family stability.

For example, we talked about how air pollution and poor water quality can lead to chronic health problems, which then increase medical costs for families. That means environmental issues don’t just hurt the planet—they hurt people’s wallets and quality of life. It became clear that the environment is an economic issue just as much as it’s a scientific one.

I enjoyed putting together our section on green technology and sustainable solutions. We highlighted things like renewable energy, eco-friendly business models, and how governments can invest in cleaner systems that create jobs while protecting nature. I thought our visuals—like the chart comparing renewable energy jobs to fossil fuel jobs—really made an impact. It showed that “going green” isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s also about creating better opportunities for people and stabilizing the economy in the long run. 

What I appreciated most about working on this topic was how it challenged me to think bigger. I started noticing how even small things—like recycling, using less plastic, or supporting local farmers—connect to global issues. I also realized that families play a huge role in this. The habits parents teach their kids, the food choices they make, even how they commute—all of it adds up.

                                                                  🤝 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾Connecting It All Together

What surprised me most throughout the presentations was how everything came full circle. The groups that talked about healthcare and families made strong points about how health depends on economic stability. Then, when our group discussed environmental and economic issues, we showed how pollution and climate change also influence health outcomes. It was like each group was adding another piece to a puzzle.

For instance, one presenter mentioned the concept of “environmental justice”—how low-income communities often face higher exposure to pollution because they can’t afford to live elsewhere. That tied perfectly into our discussion about the economy and inequality. It’s not just about who gets sick; it’s about why they’re getting sick in the first place and how the system allows it to happen.

I loved how everyone brought their own style to the presentations. Some groups used emotional storytelling, others focused on data and research, and a few mixed humor with serious points. It made the class feel dynamic and engaging. Even though we were talking about heavy topics, the energy in the room (and even through the video) made it easy to stay interested.

🧠 What I Learned Personally

If I had to sum up what I learned in one sentence, I’d say this: everything is connected. The environment, the economy, healthcare, and families all influence one another in ways we sometimes overlook. A polluted city can cause asthma in kids, which raises medical bills, which strains a family’s finances, which then leads to stress and emotional issues. It’s a cycle—and it’s one that only changes when people become aware and start acting differently.

Personally, I enjoyed working with my group because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I learned how to collaborate better, how to communicate complex ideas simply, and how to make data more visual and relatable. Presenting can be nerve-wracking, but seeing how interested people looked while we spoke was really rewarding.

I also developed a deeper respect for how much research goes into creating a strong presentation. Watching other groups, I noticed how much time and effort must’ve gone into gathering stats, designing slides, and practicing delivery. Everyone brought something unique to the table, which made me appreciate the diversity of ideas in our class.

💬 Final Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed the presentations. They weren’t just academic exercises—they were conversations about real issues that affect people’s lives. I left feeling more informed, more inspired, and more aware of how my actions and choices fit into the bigger picture.

If I could change one thing, I’d love to have more time for open discussion after each presentation. There were so many good points brought up that I wanted to respond to or ask about. Maybe next time we could turn it into a panel-style discussion to keep that conversation going.

In the end, this project reminded me that learning doesn’t always come from textbooks. Sometimes it comes from listening—to others’ experiences, their perspectives, and their stories. And that, to me, made this whole process worth it.