Reflection:​
Throughout all my different International experiences, ranging from studying abroad, to my coursework, and even just my travel adventures, I have gained the abilities of being able to think critically, interpret and better understand global issues, and learn the art of communication with other cultures. Reflecting back on my time at the University of Florida, I have learned lifelong, valuable skills about global and intercultural conditions, interdependencies, and competence that I will continue to use and reflect on as I continue with my higher education, striving for my career goals, and navigating our global interconnected world.
International Scholars Program:
I have a personal connection to international studies, having it be my academic focus. Through my coursework, studying abroad, and cultural experiences I have had some insight into how other cultures influence my everyday life. This program has allowed me to participate and gain more insight into global cultures. These insights include, learning how various cultures are similar and different to the one I am accustomed to. I am a firm believer in the idea that one should always keep learning. Participating in the International Scholars Program has given me the opportunity to be a part of something larger than myself. To immerse myself in the global community not only at UF, but in real-life abroad.
It has also contributed to my growth as an individual. Reflecting upon my own capabilities to step out of my comfort zone, learn a new language, learn cultural and intercultural competence, and more. With our world being and becoming more globally connected than ever before, enhancing my global awareness is something that is very important to me. With my international experience, both directly and indirectly, my eyes have been opened to new global perspectives from multiple cultures ranging from German, to Italian, and so many more. Additionally, this program helps reflect upon my degree and academic focus in a positive way. The International Scholars Program illustrates the importance of my degree in creating new intercultural skills and awareness and helping others learn these abilities as well.
International Coursework & Campus Life Events:
The numerous courses I have taken in my time at UF and several events I have attended, all having an international focus are vast. If you go to the sub-page titled ‘International Coursework’ under ‘Global Experiences’, you can find out more about the courses I have taken with an international emphasis. Choosing these courses, and the multiple others not listed, I have been able to learn about how different cultures interact with one another, their backgrounds, their values and traditions, and so much more. By acknowledging and learning about these diverse aspects, I have been able to reflect on what I am passionate about. The multiple globally focused events I have participated in has helped me realize that that I can help increase the awareness of all the amazing qualities different cultures have to offer.
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It also related to why I want to study and take on a career in law, more specifically, law with an international or global aspect to it. Being able to understand the way the law works contributes to how I can understand our culture, other cultures, and the characteristics that connect us. It will also allow me to serve a purpose greater than myself. My passion for culture has allowed me to participate in unique activities, gain irreplaceable insight, and support others. Additionally, by participating in these events, I have learned and gained so much insight and knowledge that contributes to being able to better understand one another, both inter-culturally and internationally.
International Experiences & Language Learning:
I will forever be grateful for my time at the University of Florida. My school gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on international experiences in one of the most influential ways. Through studying abroad. On my program, I learned not only how to communicate more effectively in German, but so much more. I learned about some of the characteristics that make up the German culture, like the architecture, the histories of the cities I visited, and more. Learning about so much history, their traditions, and more helped me gain a better understanding of why I am so passionate about understanding other cultures. It also gave me more insight into why I chose to double major in German Language and Literature.
Choosing to take on such a unique double major reflects my passion for other cultures and our international world. Having the first-hand experience and having been immersed in the German culture, I was able to learn so much more about Germany than I would have ever been able to at UF, or even in the United States as a whole. Learning a new language and studying abroad has exposed me to the fact that we need to depend on other places and cultures to help us understand each other better. We can read a lot from books, from hearing other stories, and so on, but there is nothing quite like experiencing another culture yourself. I have also had amazing opportunities to travel internationally, outside my study abroad program. These other travels and adventures only further emphasize and reflect this idea too. It is when I am fully immersed in another place and culture that I can truly appreciate, reflect, and gain deeper insight into how we all depend on each other to learn about each other.
