I cannot lie, as a management major stepping into a writing course, I was met with a

huge amount of apprehension and self doubt. The entire world of essays and creative
expression felt foreign and daunting to me since it was something I have never had to do before
in my past curriculum of excel files and balance sheets. It is safe to say that I was far away from
the structured world of business analytics and management principles I was accustomed to. I
would be a liar if I said I didn't even entertain thoughts of dropping the course in the early days
of this semester, fearing that my lack of experience would negatively affect my performance in
the class. However, as the semester unfolded, I found myself pleasantly surprised with myself
and my writing abilities. With each assignment that I completed, I began to realize the
possibilities of my own capabilities. Through dedication and drafts after drafts of writing pieces,
I not only met but exceeded my own expectations within the course. The process of learning to
write effectively was definitely a difficult journey filled with both challenges and success for me.
It required me to adapt to a new environment, one characterized by creativity, self-expression,
and critical thinking. Through the guidance of my lovely professor and the support of my
classmates through peer revisions, I gradually bettered my writing skills, discovering a new
found confidence in my ability to communicate ideas effectively and overall a love for writing.

The creation of my travel blog stands out as a pivotal moment in my journey through
WRT305. It served as a canvas for my creativity being the first assignment in this course and a
platform for self-expression unlike any other assignment. Through the vivid imagery of my
words, I transported my readers to distant lands of my childhood, sharing my family and i’s
experiences. However, what truly elevated my final travel blog was the process of the peer
review. The constructive feedback provided by my classmates served as guidance, which
showed the areas for improvement and highlighting strengths I had not yet recognized. Their
perspectives challenged me to refine my work, pushing me to strive for excellence in every word
and sentence even if it went against my own opinions on the piece. The collaborative nature of
peer review allowed my personality to shine through my writing in ways I had never imagined.
Each suggestion and critique added depth to my writing, resulting in a final product that was not
only polished (and thank gosh after comparing the draft to the final) but also authentically me.

However, the choice of "Sloppy Joes" as my topic was both a blessing and a curse. On
one hand, the personal significance of the dish made it a natural choice, allowing me to draw
upon memories and familial connections and made it a topic that was super easy to talk about.
But on the other hand, this familiarity also proved to be a “double-edged sword”. Despite my
emotional attachment to the topic, I soon realized the limitations it presented in terms of
research and audience engagement. The scarcity of primary sources and the niche appeal of
Sloppy Joes in the sense that they were well known, but not overly popular to eat, posed
challenges during the research process, which affected my ability to provide a comprehensive
travel blog and travel guide. I also found myself hating a once loved childhood food throughout
the process which was another unfortunate discovery. However I was able to relive some of
those memories with my family again fortunately! Nevertheless, this experience taught me the
importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing alternative perspectives. It
encouraged me to explore new topics and approaches, recognizing that growth often lies
beyond the boundaries of familiarity, much like this course itself.

While the writing drafts I've produced in this course may not directly translate into my
future studies, I am definitely aware of the valuable skill of research that I've cultivated
throughout this semester. Through countless hours spent delving into various sources and
reading through information, I've honed my ability to navigate complex topics and extract
meaningful information on them. These improved research abilities extend far beyond my
academic career here at the University of Rhode Island and have the potential to benefit me in
numerous aspects of my personal and professional life in the future. Whether conducting
market research for a business venture or exploring new hobbies and interests, the skills
acquired in this course have equipped me with the tools to approach any challenge with
confidence and precision going forward!

Reflecting on my journey in WRT305 fills me with a sense of gratitude and

accomplishment. What began as a daunting challenge for me quickly evolved into a source of
joy and fulfillment, which challenged my initial apprehensions in ways I never imagined.
Stepping out of my comfort zone allowed me to explore new creative ways and unearth hidden
talents that I didn't even know I possessed, transforming my perspective on writing and
self-expression. As I look towards the future, I am excited to carry forward the lessons learned
and the experiences gained, confident in my ability to tackle any obstacle that comes my way
whether that be in life, or simply finding myself accidentally enrolled in another writing course
here. I genuinely recommend this course to all of my friends and have encouraged them too to
step outside of their comfort zones and embark on the journey of “Travel Food Writing”.

Lastly, my time in WRT 305 has been nothing short of transformative. From overcoming
initial doubts to embracing new challenges, each step of the journey has shaped me into a more
confident and capable communicator and overall writer. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn
and grow, drawing inspiration from my peers' diverse perspectives, food topics and support and
feedback this semester. As I enter the next chapter and semester of my academic and personal
journey, I carry with me a newfound appreciation for the power of writing and the importance of
stepping outside one's comfort zone.