Final Reflection
As I reflect on my journey as an international scholar, I am reminded of the moments of uncertainty, the highs of traveling to beautiful places, and the personal growth that has accompanied me every step of the way. Being an international scholar means more than studying abroad; it is a transformative experience that has shaped my college years, perspectives, and identity.
Being an international scholar means taking risks. Stepping outside of my comfort zone and immersing myself in a foreign culture required courage and an openness that I didn't know I was capable of. During my first study abroad program in Italy, I was immediately confronted with the challenge of navigating a new language, culture, and way of life. On the first day of the program, I was convinced that I was in over my head and that I needed to take the next flight home. Luckily, I stayed. The next eight weeks brought laughter, adventure, sleepless nights, and a lot of tiramisu. I quickly learned to trust myself and my ability to navigate unfamiliar environments, and I returned to the US feeling accomplished, but still hungry for more.
Two summers later, I left for my research internship in Germany with a familiar feeling of excitement mixed with nerves, this time a little more confident in myself. The first few days of being in Germany were unexpectedly lonely. I missed my family, I wasn't living with other students on my program, and I spent a lot of time working on my research project alone. It took a lot of mental pep talks to begin to feel comfortable spending time alone, but I soon found my favorite restaurants and activities around the city, and navigating public transport grew easier by the day. I learned to celebrate small wins, like buying groceries without panicking when the cashier spoke to me, as well as the big ones, like taking my first ever solo trip. My newfound love of spending time with myself is something that I'll carry with me as I live alone for the first time after graduation, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to develop this skill abroad.
Although I'll always cherish my study abroad experiences, I have learned the most about what it means to be an international scholar and a global citizen from being a Study Abroad Peer Advisor. SAPA not only connected me with the UF campus, but it also connected me with fellow study abroad alumni. After my very first SAPA meeting, I called my parents and gushed about all of the kindhearted people I met, as well as all of the cool countries they had traveled to. From the beginning, the people in this organization inspired and uplifted me, and SAPA quickly became my home on campus. Five semesters later, I am closing out my term as President of the organization, and I am so grateful for the experiences that SAPA gave me. From skipping class to hang out with Allison at the study abroad fair, to feeling delirious after five hours of interviews with Katie, to quality time spent with Blaire at Krishna socials, I have loved every moment shared with the most accepting and encouraging group of people in the world. Not only have we become best friends, but my fellow Study Abroad Peer Advisors have also taught me about what it means to be a global citizen. They speak with such respect and love for their program countries, and they listen with intentions to better understand the world and each other. Hearing all of their stories from their travels, both wholesome and insane, makes me excited to continue to explore the world and stay in touch with them to hear about their adventures.
Because of my experiences as an international scholar, I am graduating with a deep-rooted confidence in myself, as well as hopes of continuing to travel the world. As I start my first full-time job, I carry with me the knowledge that I can thrive in unfamiliar environments, the patience to trust that good things take time, and the best support network back in Gainesville. Outside of work, my international experiences have inspired me to challenge myself to visit 30 countries before I turn 30, and I'll be halfway there in just a few months. Being an international scholar has changed my life for the better, and I hope to continue to grow as a global citizen in every adventure that life brings next.
