Looking back to when I first started college, I was set on only learning about American Politics to pursue a career in law. I could never express more gratitude for my school, the courses they offer and their persistent encouragement to expand my worldview to become a more globally-aware student and citizen.
Growing up as a Cuban immigrant in Miami, I felt right at home and was allowed to be fully submerged in my culture. Despite being a minority in the United States, I have always lived in a city in which my demographics made up the majority. It was not until I got to college that I realized how little I knew about the other cultures that inhabit the city. Being able to have cross-cultural connections as a student has been the key reason I have been able to increase my global awareness. The community here at FIU, the courses I had the opportunity of enrolling in, as well as the clubs I was able to take part in have been significant in increasing my global perspectives.
My newfound global awareness and deep interests in cross-cultural experiences led me to realize the importance of a study abroad experience. This is the most crucial opportunity that FIU has offered me and ecouraged me to partake in that I find necessary to highlight. I have never felt more globally engaged in my life than being abroad in a foreign country as a student. Thank you FIU for pushing me beyond what I perceived to be my limits.
If I had never chosen FIU, I would have missed out on learning many new things about myself, including all the interests I never knew I had. These interests have led me down a different path in my academic career, expanding into the realm of Latin American Politics— an academic field I cannot get enough of, which ultimately led me to study abroad. This academic field has introduced me to professors who have left a lasting impact on me and I am very grateful to have had the privilege of being their student.
Being a global learner at FIU is something I have not been able to let go of. It is now my passion to continue to seek a graduate education that encompasses my love for global learning and cross-cultural experiences. I have still not decided the path I will take— if to pursue a Master's degree or go straight into Law school. All I know is that I will continue to be a global learner beyond FIU thanks to FIU.