CRITICAL THINKING:
NAVIGATING THROUGH WALES

Critical thinking and problem solving require a methodological approach to an issue. The steps I take to approach an issue is to first organize the information, identify the issues, evaluate the options, and then finally make a decision. I have been able to use these steps to tackle issues in tough situations. 

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My internship experience at the Bush School took me across the pond to Swansea, Wales. I worked with a nonprofit agency called Displaced People In Action (DPIA), specifically on the Swansea City of Sanctuary program. Living in Wales over the summer I learned how to navigate the public transportation system. Living in Texas, and having no exposure to trains I had to become an expert quickly on navigating through Wales in order to get where I needed to be for work.

On one occasion I was responsible for traveling to Cardiff, which was an hour long train journey from Swansea. I was to meet someone who worked at the Cardiff DPIA office, and travel to a local school to help put on their refugee day. My supervisor had no details to give me about the day’s events or schedule since the Cardiff office was putting it on. The days leading up to the event, I continuously reached out to the Cardiff office to get details so I could plan my trip. With no luck in any responses, I decided to just take the first train to Cardiff and figure it out from there.

I had only been to the Cardiff office once, and knew it was a 20 minute walk from the train station. On the journey over, my first step was to put together a timeline for myself for the day. I then identified what the issues I might face may be, and made a backup plan if I was not able to get in touch with the Cardiff Office. I looked up the location of the school, and was prepared to get myself there. I had written everything down, so if my phone died while using my GPS I would be able to ask for directions. I evaluated my options on what the best way to get there was, and made a decision. I was able to contact the office and arrange my travel to the school.

Upon arriving at the school, the DPIA employee I was meeting was very impressed with how I managed to think critically and put together an action plan for myself to get myself where I needed to be. I was proud of myself for being able to navigate the public transportation, and find my way through a foreign city.