Reflecting on the International Scholars Program...

Joining the International Scholars Program (ISP) has benefited me in a multitude of ways. The program enabled me to expand my prior knowledge on social, societal, cultural, and global issues, strengthen my communication and leadership skills, and has given me the opportunity to work as a team with other international students and faculty members. Had it not been for the program, I would not have known about various events, discussions, and organizations on and near campus, and I would not have made the friends that I had. My experience at UF has truly been enriched by this Program.
Becoming a member of the International Scholars Program has encouraged me to attend campus life events, where I had the ability to learn and critically think about intercultural issues. Within the events I attended, I was able to meet and hold discussions with people similar and different from my ethnic and cultural background. Everyone in attendance was able to converse on a wide range of thought provoking topics and was able to expand each other's understanding. Our discussions expanded my cultural competency and perspective on issues presently being faced by people today. 
Growing up, I was never truly a dancer. However, the program inspired me to join the University of Florida’s Introduction to West African Dance class (DAA2331). Although the main focus of the class was to discover and perform the rhythmic movements tied to the countries of West Africa, the class became much more than that. Because the instructor himself was from the region, he knew first hand about the practices, history, and intercultural issues surrounding the art form. This enabled him to easily relay that information to us so that we as a class could interpret, discuss, and learn about those topics.

During my time in the program, I have gotten multiple opportunities to communicate effectively with people from different age groups and cultures. For example, as a student in Neuromuscular Aspects of Exercise taught by Dr. Mani, I was able to speak to and interview an Exercise Science PhD candidate and researcher from Canada as part of my presentation. Being able to listen, understand, and compare her depth of knowledge and educational experience to the professors in my department was intriguing to say the least. Interviewing her helped to formulate content for my presentation, but also my own ideas about international education. It inspired me to consider studying abroad and traveling more after I acquire my undergraduate degree.

Before volunteering as a conversation partner for UF’s English Language Institute, I considered myself to be an effective communicator. However, after joining the program and speaking to some of the international students and faculty I was paired with, I was able to witness the challenges that others go through in order to communicate effectively. Even though I took a total of 3 years of Spanish in high school and college, I never had to worry about effective communication as a person who primarily speaks English. A large majority of the world speaks or is learning English and the countries that are not, I have never had to live or work in. Because of this, I have never had to face the same struggles, disadvantages, and challenges that the international students and faculty I met had to face. For example, one of my conversation partners was from Cuba. He expressed to me that he was in the program to exercise and perfect his English speaking skills so that he could pass the entrance exam and practice dentistry effectively in the US. By volunteering to converse with him every week, I was able to improve his communication skills as well as my own. Communicating with non-English speakers is very different from communicating with English speakers. Being a conversation partner helped me to better communicate with those whose primary language is something other than English.

While in the International Scholars Program I had the opportunity to take a course called Microbes Without Borders with Dr. Oli. In this class, we learned about the scientific basics surrounding microbial life found in different parts of the world. One of the topics in class centered around how microbes are used interculturally for fermentation. I found this to be intriguing as I was able to learn the similarities and differences between fermentation practices across cultures and countries.

I have gained and established an immense amount of knowledge from being a part of this program. My cultural competency has been expanded and so has my social circle. Thanks to the International Scholars Program, I am confident that the experiences I have acquired will continue to support me after college and beyond.