WHERE TO NOW?

When I started at UF, I had already known what I wanted to study. I also knew I wanted to practice what I was learning simultaneously but didn't know where to start on that front. The International Scholars program and it's action plan guiding students to a globalized education helped me put myself in positions where I could apply what I learned to real-life situations. As a linguistics and anthropology student, I’ve learned so much about the different ways people interact within their cultures and with others. I’d take courses on intercultural communication, language and culture and even global humankind! The events and interactions I experienced through the international scholars program helped apply what I learned to real-life situations and in my option, helped me become a better global citizen. 

 

I think back to my time with the student-run organization “Navigators” that pairs domestic UF students with international exchange students in a mentorship. The goal being to help domestic students become acquainted with other cultures and to provide guidance to international students navigating life in America and specifically at UF. I was paired with a student from Germany and meeting her was the first time I could put my skills to use. She told me her name and offered a nickname because she thought her name might be too hard for me to pronounce. I ask her to repeat her name once and the linguist in me listened closely as she pronounced every syllable. I had learned the importance of names, especially for students in new environments and so I made it a mission to get hers right. On my first attempt, I pronounced her name perfectly and was so happy to see the joy on her face. She offered me a hug and said, “no one here has gotten my name right yet, thank you so much!”. Afterwards I could tell she felt much more comfortable with me, enough to open up about her culture and ask questions. 

 

As a person diagnosed with Social Anxiety yet studying the social sciences and humanities, it has always been important to me to find ways to expose myself to my fears. In doing so, I hope to find healthier coping mechanisms for when my academic and career interests become overstimulating. Not only did the International Scholars Program offer me opportunities to overcome my fears, but I also learned to socialize and deal with the affects much better. I was able to gradually increase the amount of people I could comfortably be around and at the same time, adjust to the different kinds of people, languages and cultures I would encounter. I have grown so much as both a scholar and a leader now that I am more comfortable putting myself in different social settings and positions. Serving as the President of a student organization was something I’d never thought I’d do. This year, I’ve handled the position with grace and learned so much about myself and my peers along the way. 

 

In the future, I want to be an advocate for underrepresented speech communities. The ISP has helped me feel so much more confident in my abilities to pursue graduate studies and my career goals. I believe I am equipped with the necessary skills to do exactly what I envisions myself achieving and more! I am forever grateful to the University of Florida and the International Scholars program for granting me the opportunities needed for me to grow, excel, and effectively plan for my future. As I look to the next chapter of my academic career, I am certain there are skills and ideas I’ve learned from all the roles I’d taken on as a student here at UF that I will carry with me wherever I go! The global perspectives I’ve gained as an ISP Scholar will guide my transition into my dream career and I couldn’t be more excited to see how far I can go!