Being an international scholar throughout my time at UF has allowed me to learn something that cannot be taught in a classroom: cultural humility. I had a unique journey toward completing this program as I did not join it officially until a few months before graduating, but it gave me a new appreciation for all that I accomplished and the impact that it has had on my development as a global citizen. 

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As a lifelong student of Spanish, I always knew that I wanted to continue my studies into college because it strengthened my ability to communicate and empathize with others. In the United States, we are relatively used to encountering individuals who speak at least some English, but the reality is that this is still not the case for many families. While I feel that I already knew enough Spanish to get by, the new aspects of getting to select classes that interested me and studying abroad rounded out my experience. Although it was my dream to do so, I did briefly believe that I would not be able to study abroad due to my challenging major and the overlap between the summer abroad program and the medical school application cycle. Luckily I was able to speak with my teachers and advisors who pushed me to find a program that would allow me the important experience of immersing myself in the language while still being able to complete my coursework.

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While studying abroad was important for my study of Spanish, it was equally impactful in shaping me into a socially intelligent and culturally responsible traveler. Traveling to another country can be a stressful experience because oftentimes citizens of the other country do not adjust their behavior to account for a tourist who does not know the customs and traditions that guide the society. I know that having the opportunity to live with a native host family and see the city through their eyes was invaluable to developing my ability to participate in a new environment appropriately and meaningfully. My international experience also helped me to expand my circle to include a more diverse group of friends who are also global citizens and with whom I can discuss all that I have learned as an international scholar. It is important to me that I am understanding and compassionate towards others from different backgrounds and this experience has given me concrete evidence that I already am. 

 

By tying together all that I experienced with studies of human interaction and healthcare, my commitment to being an international scholar has increased my confidence in discussing complex global issues. I find myself often involved in conversations with others who do not share my opinions or beliefs, but we are able to have a healthy and constructive discussion about these issues regardless. The reflective aspect of the international scholars program has helped me to recognize that I developed this practice of ambiguity in certain situations which has helped me to empathize with opinions that I do not share and expand my worldview to include new perspectives. 

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When I think about all that I have done as an international scholar, I am grateful that it opened my eyes to the experiences available to me. Without this program, I would not have had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, explore the Harn art museum with a global perspective, or view Everything Everywhere All at Once with an opening from one of its directors. Each of these experiences taught me something, but most of all they let me see how much I enjoy completing tasks when I feel personal fulfillment. As I move into my future career as a medical student, this is the takeaway that I value most: if something is not helping me to grow and develop in a fulfilling manner that I am proud of, it might not be worth doing. 

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I am thankful for everything that I have learned in all of my international experiences and I appreciate the International Scholars Program for granting me one final chance to reflect on it all before my graduation.