Final Reflection

Being part of the International Scholars Program has kept me curious; curious about the world and my place in it. There have been many times when I have felt out of place, especially in my degree, but with the experiences I've had and the little pockets of home I've made, I've learned more about myself, felt comfortable in my skin, and appreciated all the places I got to see and visit. My passion for travel has definitely been strengthened after spending a semester in Dublin. Before I left, I was worried I wouldn't make friends or adjust to life in a foreign country. When I came to America, I wasn't alone; I came with a friend from high school who quickly became my support system. However, in Dublin, I was entirely on my own. I was the only student from UF, and it was a journey I had to walk alone. But I quickly made great friends who showed me so much love and sisterhood in such a short period of time. My trust in myself and the confidence I gained to do things on my own and be adventurous grew immensely. I also know now that I want to keep learning, not just from a classroom or YouTube, but by being in the world.

 

In my academic life, I will continue to learn about the world around me and seek out different voices from around the globe to inform me. As I look for jobs and internships, I'm keeping my options wide open and applying to opportunities around the world. I won’t be limited by anything, knowing that I can thrive wherever I go. I have grown professionally, not just with the technical skills and experience I've gained, but with the soft and interpersonal skills that have made me a better team member, colleague and friend.

 

I've learned to be intentional about my long-distance friendships and make an effort to stay in contact with the people I've met. From my first Colombian friend, Carolina, who was my conversation partner at the English Language Institute, to my German friend Laura, with whom I interned at the distillery. Their friendships brought me so much comfort and joy, and I hope to keep them alive for as long as I can. 

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Attending international events on campus also brought a lot of comfort. As an international student, it was nice to see other cultures embraced and celebrated, and getting glimpses of home made the days a little less lonely. I remember the smell of chai when we went to a mock Bengali wedding or the extra meat pies I stashed away after African mass at St. Augustine Catholic Church. I appreciated the people who made Gainesville feel like home – not just because they were African or foreigners, but because they were also looking for community and a sense of belonging, just like me. Having the chance to meet other international students through ELI and the IMA reminded me that I wasn't alone and that, despite being only 10% of the student body, we, as international students, brought something special to campus. We were bright and colorful, knowledgeable.  

 

There were so many things that could have gone wrong at every stage of my academic career. With the threat of ICE and the constant changes in visa regulations, there were countless potential roadblocks and moments of genuine fear. During those times of uncertainty, I sat with friends who realized they wouldn’t be able to go back home for the holidays.

Would I be able to study abroad? Would I be allowed to return to the U.S. to finish my degree? 

Somehow, I held firmly onto the belief that it was going to work out. I was worthy of being here. I was wanted, and I had something to contribute to this community. Reflecting on these experiences has shown me how much self-doubt I’ve overcome. When I think of all the brilliant and exciting work my friends and I are doing, I am just impressed by how far we've come.

 

There are moments, little glimpses of time, when I think to myself: how did I get here? Once, we were driving on a country road to Panama City with the sunset right in front of us. We were going to stay at my roommate’s house to escape a hurricane (the last hurricane had knocked out the power in our apartment for three days). Another time, my friend and I were rushing to the physics building to get free boba from the Korean students. I remember lining up outside the auditorium to watch the Chinese New Year celebrations and eating popcorn in Grinter Hall after Friday Baraza with the Kenyan graduate students. When I think about my time here, these are the moments that stick with me. There was no obligation, nothing to gain, but the rush of adventure and an itch of curiosity that needed to be scratched. It’s all those little moments of warmth and those bursts of color on monotonous days that were the most enriching and memorable parts of being an international scholar.