Study Abroad

Summer 2023 - Exploring Language and Cultural Diversity in Brazil

My experience while studying abroad in Brazil was very rewarding to me. I had already been many times because my father is from there, but this was this first time I wasn't going with my family. My original intent was to improve my Portuguese level and although I did improve it, I came home with many more rewarding aspects. We spent one month in Porto Alegre which is located in the south of Brazil. We took classes at the local university called "Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul". We also attended cultural events that were held at the university such as learning about the African heritage in Brazil. Going to school every weekday in a different country was truly amazing. I got to meet some of the local students, and I shared a class with FIU students who had the same goals as me, to improve their Portuguese. I did not know any of the FIU students before the trip, but spending everyday with them made me form life-long friendships. I also became friends with the locals as they were very welcoming and made sure the FIU students were having a good time in Brazil. As this was my first experience doing a study abroad, I knew I had to do it again. I came back home with a better Portuguese proficiency, new friends, and an unforgettable experience. From taking classes at the local university to going out with the local students and exploring other cities with our professor, it was an immersive experience that increased my knowledge of Brazilian culture. 

My first experience doing a study abroad was one I will not forget and made me want to do a another one. The experience reinforced my interest in global awareness and the desire to incorporate this aspect into my academics and future career.

Our class at the African heritage event:

Summer 2025 - Searching for Reciprocity in Japan - Honors study abroad

My experience studying abroad in Japan was one of the best trips of my life. This was the first country in Asia that I visited and the experience that I had in Japan was one I will always remember. I was in Japan with 17 other FIU students exploring 6 different cities over the course of 3 weeks. Exploring all these cities that were so different from one another gave me an awareness of the diversity of Japan. For example, people form a line on the left side of the escalator if they don't want to walk and leave the right side open for people who wish to walk, but Osaka does it the opposite way from the rest of Japan. Other differences included rural versus city life, weather changes from north to south, and touristic versus remote locations. However, there were many constants I experienced in all the places we visited such as the respectfulness of the people, cleanliness of the public areas, and feeling welcomed as a visitor. Many of the things I learned while being in Japan, I would like to incorporate into my daily life. For example, we stayed in a temple where the monks taught us how to pray and meditate. Their peacefulness and spirituality inspired me. During our trip we participated in several events with the Urespa cultural club and the Ainu people, the indigenous people of Japan, where we learned about each other's customs and traditions. We also spent time with local university students and worked on mini projects together.

This study abroad experience made me more aware of the concept of reciprocity. We observed the reciprocal relationships the Japanese people have with others, with nature and animals, and with spirituality. I came to understand how these relationships help maintain a balanced society. Reciprocity is a concept that will be important in my continued studies and future career because it is essential for respectful global interactions, diplomacy, and compromise. 

Our class at the Golden Temple in Kyoto:

Our class with the Urespa cultural club: