Reflection 

I cannot believe my time at Florida International University is coming to a close. For years, I dreamed of going to college at FIU. I planned out my post-secondary education years in advance and purposed to spend it in the heart of Miami. I wanted to experience a new environment, one that was unlike any I had experienced before. Needless to say, my time at FIU has been exactly that. I have been challenged by my time in Miami to say the least, sometimes bewildered, but always so proud to call this place my home. FIU has offered me an amazing, globally-focused education. In the midst of such a diverse context, I was constantly able to meet new friends from all over the world.

 

My pursuit of global learning during my college years through the Global Medallion program has been an essential element in making what I had once dreamed a reality these past four years. The PAW program was my first involvement at FIU, and it set the tone for semester of so much learning. Even though I was from the United States, I realized I had to adjust to the subculture of Miami too. It was great to take what I was learning and use it to help the international students adjust as I did. 

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In terms of academics, the global learning courses offered to me also motivated me to take a closer look at global issues. I was excited that professors and students wanted to engage in conversations about the world. I was challenged to think outside of my own culture, to consider different viewpoints, and to develop a collaborative mindset. My membership in the Honors College further reinforced the need to be globally focused. The Honors College gave me access to lectures, professors, and classmates who were truly invested in the happenings of the world around them. Although I did not get to travel to Southeast Asia, the course I took to prepare me for my trip taught me so much about Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Southeast Asia as a whole. As a result of my learning, I have an increased confidence and excitement in interacting with international students from Southeast Asia. 

 

 As a hospitality major, I was able to take additional global learning courses. I explored the role of globalization in travel and tourism and the importance of understanding the host culture when selling a hospitality product. Volunteering at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival and exploring different cuisines in Miami taught me how food helps shape culture. In my Hospitality Marketing Management class, I learned the importance of understanding and analyzing a culture and its attributes before jumping to conclusions. In the business world, it could mean the difference between selling a product or not. 

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Outside of the classroom, one of the most impactful experiences I had as part of my global learning journey was my Alternative Breaks trip to Peru. Though it was only ten days, I still think about the experience often. Going to Peru gave me a more intimate understanding of South America. Going to Cuzco specifically was enriching because of the indigenous populations there. Having grown up pretty distant to the reality of native peoples, being in Peru gave me some of the insight I would later need in studying Latin America as part of my Spanish certificate. The group I traveled with on the trip to Peru also demonstrated the importance of intercultural communication and group dynamics among diverse peoples. With several nationalities represented, I became more aware of my cultural preferences when traveling. I learned that I needed to adapt better. The next time I traveled in a group was with the Panther Hall Living and Learning Community called "Changemakers." Thanks to the previous lessons learned in cultural communication, I found it easier to navigate the group dynamics. 

 

Global Learning also constantly reminded me to stay engaged with the community around me through their weekly newsletters and Tuesday Times Roundtable discussions. Although I did not get to attend as many as I would have liked to, the meetings always challenged me to ask questions about topics with which I was already familiar and consider topics that I otherwise might not have. It could have been easy to get caught up in college life and forget about the world around me. Thanks to global learning and the globally-focused programs they support, I was never left in the dark on global issues. 

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My time at FIU has come to an end. Though I will miss this stage and the friends I have made, I am confident that the next step will be even better. Pursuing the medallion brought me many beautiful memories and challenged me to persist in growth and learning. I am so thankful global learning was a pivotal part of my learning at FIU. I could not imagine what my time would have been like without it. 

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