As part of my CAS experience, I participated in a Barista Course, which provided a unique opportunity to develop both practical skills and personal growth. Coffee is more than just a daily beverage; it has a rich history, a complex production process, and significant social and economic impacts worldwide. In this course, I learned about different types of coffee beans, roasting techniques, and brewing methods, gaining hands-on experience in making coffee from scratch. Beyond the technical aspects, I explored the journey of coffee from plant to cup, which opened my eyes to the intricacies of the global coffee trade, including issues of sustainability, fair trade, and the lives of farmers who grow and harvest the beans.

This experience was not only about mastering a craft; it also challenged me to develop patience, discipline, and attention to detail. By learning how to carefully prepare coffee and reflecting on the ethical and environmental implications of coffee production, I grew both personally and academically, while connecting my everyday actions to wider global issues.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth:
During this course, I could recognize my enthusiasm and inquisitiveness regarding experiential learning as personal strengths. I found myself enjoying experimenting with different brewing methods and learning the subtleties of coffee-making. On the other hand, I could identify areas of improvement in patience, attention to detail, and precision. Some, such as pulling espresso shots within the ideal time or frothing milk to a consistent microfoam, required attentive practice and successive trial. Reflecting on these quandaries allowed me to understand how persistence and mindfulness can strengthen both technical skill and personal growth.

LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills:
Making coffee was harder than I initially expected. I was required to learn to accurately measure ingredients, grind sizes, and water temperature, which demanded accuracy and attention to detail. In some instances, my drinks did not turn out as anticipated, but these failures pushed me out of my comfort zone and motivated me to try different approaches. Through regular practice and technique adjustment, I acquired new technical skills that I can confidently execute today. This experience has made me realize that challenges are valuable learning and growth moments.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience:
Acquiring the barista skills required consistent effort and perseverance. Some tasks, like pulling the perfect espresso or frothing the milk to the right texture, required multiple attempts before producing satisfactory results. I did not quit in spite of the initial difficulties but learned and improved continuously, showing perseverance in my CAS experience. As time passed, the repetitive training solidified my focus and determination, and I began to see tangible improvements in both my technical proficiency and personal discipline.

LO6 – Engagement with issues of global significance:
I gained an appreciation of the global significance of coffee as a widely traded commodity through the subject. In terms of fair trade, environmental sustainability, and the social and economic well-being of coffee growers, I better appreciated the wider implications of everyday consumer choices. I thought about how purchasing ethically sourced coffee assists in improving farmers’ lifestyles and promoting more sustainable practices in the industry. This exercise made me more conscious of global connections and consumers’ places in an international market.

LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions:
Learning about ethical sourcing and fair trade prompted me to think critically about the ways my consumption actions impact. I discovered that the coffee I drink has ethical ramifications—from working conditions for producers to the ecological footprint of its production. This led me to become a more conscious and accountable consumer, patronizing products that mirror sustainable and fair practices. In considering the broader consequences of my actions, I came to possess a larger sense of ethical awareness and responsibility for ordinary and international issues.