1st Session Reaction Sheets
Samrawit Fentaye Abebe
I enjoyed the opportunity to explore various elements of communication, particularly about active listening and Carl Rogers' person-centered approach. The constellation activity was especially engaging. It felt like drawing a map to highlight where my strengths lie and where I need improvement in speaking and listening, including the communication with my native language versus English and body language. This exercise was both fun and thought-provoking, pushing me to reflect on how I communicate with others. It served as a mirror, allowing me to assess my communication skills and identify areas for growth. Carl Rogers' person-centered approach was also interesting and insightful, emphasizing the importance of empathy, accepting people as they are, and truly understanding their perspective. This approach underscored the significance of listening attentively and responding in a way that demonstrates comprehension, highlighting that communication extends beyond words to the emotions behind them, which I often overlook. The UQRIA section introduced a new perspective on how we offer advice, revealing that advice can have as much potential to harm as it does to help. I got different perspectives from the other students which I had never given so much thought to. It encouraged me to think more critically about the impact of my words when advising others. In summary, the session was engaging in a creative activity to evaluate my verbal and non-verbal communication skills and gaining new insights into how to enhance my ability to connect and empathize with people.
Carmen Caamaño Ramiro
The first block of the subject has been very interesting and useful. Getting to practice the characteristics of good speakers and listeners to after evaluate our performances and to later discuss them has been very revealing. Giving value to observation transforming it into a tool to improve communication was an interesting experience. Another notable aspect has been that everybody in the class had their opportunity to talk and express their feelings and thoughts. Having such an open environment in the class at all moments is a remarkable experience that makes everything easier in the class. From this week I think I have got a better notion of my habilities and a clear guide on how to improve them. Also, I got to experience the effects of having an organisation where everyone can look at each other and share what's in their minds freely.
Sador Kassa Demelew
I appreciate the opportunity to share my reflections on the past two sessions of the Person-Centered Communication course. First and foremost, I found the content of the last block, especially the discussions on how to be a good listener, to be extremely valuable and thought-provoking. These discussions added a crucial layer of understanding to our exploration of person-centered communication. One aspect that stood out to me was our discussion about "UQRIA" because it resonated with my personal experiences and provided a practical perspective on applying the principles we've learned throughout the course. It challenged my perspective and encouraged me to reflect on my own communication style. The role-playing sessions were instrumental in enhancing my communication skills. They allowed me to step into different roles and practice active listening, empathy, and rapport-building techniques in a safe and supportive environment. Moreover, I found Rogers' core conditions (congruence, acceptance, and empathic understanding) to be especially helpful in deepening my understanding of certain concepts. The diverse range of materials provided a well-rounded perspective and enhanced my overall learning experience. I also appreciated the collaborative nature of the course, including the engaging discussions and group activities. Interacting with fellow participants allowed me to gain insights from different perspectives and broaden my view on person-centered communication. I am grateful for the enriching experience and the knowledge gained from this block. Thank you once again for facilitating such an insightful course.
Mónica Fernández Rubio
Hello!!! I really enjoyed this course because I can learn about being a good listener and more things about the behavior and how to improve the interaction with people at the same time that we can express our feelings. Also, another thing that I like from this course is that we learn something in a theoretical way but then we put it into practice. And to finish, I really like the group because I feel free to express myself and they give good tips, and also because I can learn lot of things from them.
Sisay Tefera Mamo
My first session was really pleasant and productive, especially when you asked what we expected out of the training. That is what made me want to consider the course more than just reading the course catalog. It's a great way to kick off the lesson on "Active listening" since, in my opinion, active listing is the foundation of effective communication. It's also wonderful to list the "Do" and "Don't do" while listing. That, in my opinion, aids us in the active listing exercise where we try to listen to the meaning as well as the words and try to comprehend the individual. The activity itself played a significant part in fostering relationships and a favorable atmosphere. The explanation of Rogers' Core Conditions helps me understand each condition's main idea. It was beneficial to talk about the differences with Sympathy when we mentioned the third component of Rogers Core Conditions, "Empathy." The UQRIA lesson was really helpful in helping me understand how a helpful communication started and progressed. Additionally, I think that the EPE is an excellent approach to convey information, so practicing this section was even more beneficial. What questions should we ask the EPE process, and how should we ask them? Overall, I thought the way the class is run and the openness with which the issues are discussed is extremely admirable.
Tomáš Maňásek
Thank you for the engaging lesson on active listening and communication skills. I have really enjoyed introduction to each other, and I gained valuable insights into the importance of listening without judgment. Rating our communication abilities encouraged self-reflection, though more real-life scenarios could enhance practical application. It encouraged me to identify areas where I excel and areas where I can improve, fostering a sense of accountability for my communication skills development. Overall, it was a beneficial session, and I look forward towards the next one.
Helen Bire Yesuf
My initial intake after reading Rogers and Farson's observations about active listening , I was reminded of times when I failed to engage in active listening, which resulted in misunderstandings and lost chances for a closer bond. I can relate to their observations, so I'll put them into practice to become a better active listener. I was drawn to Carl Rogers' video on empathy because, although we can't truly empathize with someone else's experiences, we can try to put ourselves in their shoes in order to better grasp the situation and deepen our relationship.