GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
My global experiences have strengthened my cultural awareness, communication skills, and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Through international learning opportunities, cross-cultural engagement, and language education, I have developed a broader perspective that has prepared me to communicate effectively in an increasingly interconnected world. This page highlights the experiences that have shaped my global mindset and passion for international communication.
English Language Institute
During my time at the University of Florida, I had the privilege of volunteering with the UF English Language Institute (ELI), an experience that became one of the most meaningful parts of my college journey. While the ELI provides English language instruction and cultural support for students from around the world, it also creates a welcoming community where meaningful relationships can flourish.
As a volunteer, I immersed myself in the ELI community by serving as a Conversation Partner, volunteering in classrooms, attending weekly activities, and participating in special cultural events throughout the semester. These experiences allowed me to connect with international students beyond the classroom as we explored Gainesville, celebrated holidays, shared stories, and learned from one another's cultures. One of my favorite parts of volunteering was trying traditional dishes from different countries during cultural events, where food became a way to learn about customs, traditions, and family stories from around the world.
ELI Conversation Partner
As a Conversation Partner with the University of Florida English Language Institute (UF ELI), I was paired with a different international student each semester to help them practice conversational English in a relaxed, real-world setting. Together, we explored Gainesville, shared meals and experiences, discussed our cultures, and built meaningful friendships while strengthening their confidence in everyday English.
Each new partnership offered a unique opportunity to learn about another culture, broaden my global perspective, and develop cross-cultural communication skills. What began as a volunteer opportunity quickly became one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. These relationships never felt like I was volunteering, they became genuine friendships that reinforced my passion for language learning, cultural exchange, and connecting with people from around the world.
Beginning Korean KOR1130
During the fall semester of my freshman year, I enrolled in Korean- a language vastly different from the linguistic and writing systems I had previously encountered. I initially expected the course to focus solely on learning how to read, write, and speak Korean. Instead, it introduced me to the rich history, traditions, cuisine, holidays, and everyday culture of South Korea.
This experience taught me that learning a language extends far beyond vocabulary and grammar. It requires understanding the cultural values, historical context, and perspectives of the people who speak it. Studying Korean sparked my appreciation for cultural immersion and inspired a deeper interest in cross-cultural communication, ultimately shaping my passion for international engagement.
Cafe Kreyol
Through weekly conversations, I explored far more than language. I experienced Haitian culture by trying authentic cuisine, learning to dance Kompa, and gaining a deeper understanding of Haiti's history, traditions, and values. Every interaction became an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and appreciate the perspectives of others. The friendships I formed made the experience especially meaningful because I was not just observing another culture—I was invited to participate in it.
Through Café Kreyòl, a language learning table at the University of Florida, I had the opportunity to learn Haitian Kreyòl from native speakers while immersing myself in Haitian culture. Unlike a traditional language class, Café Kreyòl primarily has students who already speak Haitian Kreyòl and want to maintain and practice their language while away from home during college. As one of the few non-native speakers in the group, I was welcomed into a community that valued preserving both language and cultural identity. Rather than simply teaching me vocabulary, members shared their experiences, encouraged conversation, and invited me to learn alongside them in an authentic and supportive environment.
My involvement with both Café Kreyòl and Club Creole has shaped the way I approach new cultural spaces. These experiences taught me to recognize and appreciate the traditions, customs, and perspectives that make every community unique while also finding the common values that connect us. Because of this foundation, I entered many caribbean events and spaces with greater cultural awareness and confidence in building relationships with from others of different backgrounds. I found myself appreciating the cultural dishes students shared, the stories they told, and the traditions they introduced me to because I had already learned the importance of approaching every interaction with curiosity and respect.
Café Kreyòl reinforced my belief that language learning extends far beyond communication. It is about preserving identity, building meaningful relationships, and creating spaces where people feel valued for who they are. This experience continues to influence both my personal growth and my professional aspirations in public relations and global communication, where cultural understanding is essential for fostering authentic connections across diverse communities.
ISP/Global Experiences Reflection
When I first joined the International Scholars Program, I saw it as an opportunity to become more involved on campus. Looking back now, I realize it became so much more than that. ISP became a community that continuously encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone, embrace unfamiliar experiences, and approach every culture with curiosity rather than hesitation. Throughout my four years at the University of Florida, it served as a support system that reminded me that meaningful growth happens when we are willing to learn from the people around us.
One of the greatest lessons ISP taught me was that global engagement does not always require traveling across the world. Sometimes it begins by saying yes to a cultural event, sharing a meal with someone whose traditions differ from your own, or simply taking the time to listen to another person's story. Because of ISP, I stopped viewing cultural experiences as isolated events and instead began seeing them as opportunities to build genuine relationships. Those relationships became one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. Today, I have friends living across the world, people whose cultures, perspectives, and experiences have shaped the way I think and communicate. Knowing that I now have connections in countries I have yet to visit is something I never imagined when I started college.
The confidence I gained through ISP extended far beyond campus. As I reflected on everything I had experienced, learning new languages, participating in cultural organizations, building friendships with international students, and engaging in intercultural dialogue, I began to recognize that these experiences had prepared me for opportunities I once thought were beyond my reach. That realization gave me the confidence to apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Rather than questioning whether I had enough global experience, I was able to see how intentionally I had spent my college years building the very intercultural competencies the program values.
More than anything, ISP changed the way I see both myself and the world. It taught me to seek understanding before assumptions, to find common ground across cultures, and to value relationships as the foundation of global citizenship. As I prepare to continue my journey as a Fulbright Scholar, I know the confidence, curiosity, and global perspective I developed through ISP will remain with me long after graduation. What began as one campus program ultimately transformed my college experience and gave me a lifelong appreciation for the connections that make our world feel both larger and, at the same time, more connected.
Skills
Global & Cultural Engagement
Throughout my four years at the University of Florida, I intentionally sought opportunities to engage with people from different cultural backgrounds through the International Scholars Program, the UF English Language Institute, Café Kreyòl, Club Creole, Korean language courses, and my TESL internship. My goal was not only to learn about different cultures but also to become a more culturally competent communicator who could build meaningful relationships across cultural differences. I immersed myself in cultural events, built friendships with international students, learned Korean and Haitian Kreyòl, attended a student's Iftar during my TESL internship, and embraced every opportunity to listen and learn directly from others. These experiences transformed my understanding of intercultural communication and taught me that cultural competence comes from genuine relationships, curiosity, and openness. As a result, I developed the confidence to communicate across cultures, formed friendships with people around the world, and strengthened the global perspective that ultimately inspired me to apply for and receive a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award.
Communication
Serving as a Conversation Partner with the UF English Language Institute and later as a TESL intern challenged me to become a more intentional communicator. Working with multilingual learners required me to communicate clearly while creating an environment where students felt comfortable practicing English and sharing their experiences. I adapted my communication style to meet students where they were by practicing active listening, using visual examples, encouraging conversation, and being mindful of cultural differences in communication styles. Through these experiences, I realized that effective communication extends far beyond speaking clearly, it requires empathy, patience, and a willingness to understand another person's perspective. These opportunities strengthened both my interpersonal and verbal communication skills and prepared me to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in my future career.
Career & Self-Development
When I entered college, I knew I wanted to study public relations, but I had not yet discovered my passion for international engagement. Through the International Scholars Program, I intentionally pursued experiences that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone by learning new languages, participating in multicultural organizations, volunteering with international students, and reflecting on each opportunity as a chance to grow. Over time, these experiences helped me recognize how much I had developed both personally and professionally. They also gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach, including applying for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Looking back, I realized that the global experiences I had intentionally sought throughout college had prepared me with the intercultural competencies the program values. ISP not only influenced my career goals but also gave me the confidence to pursue them.
Teamwork
Many of my experiences through the International Scholars Program involved collaborating with people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Whether working alongside international students as a Conversation Partner, participating in Café Kreyòl and Club Creole, or collaborating with multilingual learners during my TESL internship, I learned that effective teamwork requires more than simply completing a task together. I made a conscious effort to listen actively, respect different perspectives, and create an environment where everyone felt included and valued. These experiences taught me that cultural differences strengthen collaboration by bringing new ideas and perspectives to the table. As a result, I became more adaptable, empathetic, and confident working with diverse teams, skills that I know will continue to benefit me in both international settings and my professional career.