Reflecting on My Experience:

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Coming into Florida International University, I thought I had a wholesome global perspective. I was eager to learn and interact with people who were similar to me, different from me and even people with whom I would've never thought I could hold a conversation. To my surprise, there was so much more than the world I thought I had seen enough of, and what an amazing surprise that was. I knew I wanted to study International Relations because the way in which states interact was very intriguing to me, but I didn't know which elements within their interactions interested me the most.

 

After feeling defeated because I could not find a single point of interest within my classes, I decided to look at them through a different perspective. In that moment, I discovered that I wanted to focus on culture and its effects on human interaction. By enrolling in a Global Learning course I understood that I wanted to go more in depth into global studies in order to apply the theory that I learned in the classroom to foreign policy issues that were happening at the moment in all different parts of the world.

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The Global Learning Medallion program has been a great resource in keeping me focused on developing global awareness and engaging in critical thinking to address real problems surrounding me. The steps to complete within the program have given me the necessary skills to respond to global issues and create my own informed opinion when it comes to discussions that have many conflicting voices and perspectives. Being able to incorporate different perspectives into my own has allowed me to provide a true wholesome input for any discussion I engage in.

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At first, I was reluctant to demonstrate my motivation and commitment to any cause and I struggled with being comfortable while leading a group. I was able to overcome my limitations after participating in events such as the Tuesday Times Roundtables, where there would be thought provoking conversations, and outside of classroom lectures that were inspiring to the point of getting me to apply for leadership positions. Soon after, I found myself being involved on campus in many different activities, from volunteering for a women's movement that promoted female success on campus to being the President of the Italian Club at FIU.

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The Italian Club was by far my favorite involvement and the one that I dedicated myself to the most. Being part of an Eboard and working as a team to bring part of the Italian culture to the FIU community was rewarding to say the least. Creating a sense of community within our club was also an important part of the journey, as we were stronger when we were closer. The memories and bonds created during the four years I was part of the club will forever be cherished.

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Through my involvements, I have developed my interpersonal interaction skills and achieved an advance level of conflict management through effective communication. I owe a great part of my personal growth to the Global Learning courses that instilled in me so many positive ideals and equipped me with the tools to make an impact in the world today. Now that I have completed my bachelor's degree, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a Masters in Global Affairs at FIU and to further contribute to the promotion of cultural sensitivity and global awareness.