Global Reflection

The most immersive global learning experiences of my undergraduate career have been my study abroad programs in Japan, India, and Taiwan. Through navigating unfamiliar environments, my resilience and creative problem-solving abilities became enhanced while significantly expanding my worldview. This deepened my appreciation for the diverse ways in which universal social norms are understood and expressed across cultures. From unique culinary traditions to rich artistic expressions, engaging directly with these cultural contexts provided a level of insight no textbook could replicate. By fully immersing myself in each country’s daily life and customs, I developed meaningful connections and a deeper understanding of communities I may not have otherwise encountered. These experiences have enabled me to become a more informed global citizen, equipped with a deeper understanding and critical analysis of intercultural issues.

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Moreover, growing up in the melting pot of Miami, I was also able to experience diversity in perspective and lived experiences on a local level. Many of my friends and their families came from immigrant backgrounds across South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.  It was from hearing my friends' families speak and interact with each other that I learned Spanish, which allowed me to transcend communication barriers and build deeper lifelong connections. This language acquisition brought a sense of belonging and cultural familiarity, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening relationships in what might otherwise have felt like an unfamiliar environment. Through my unique upbringing engaging with diverse populations, I have refined my ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries. 

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This has been particularly advantageous for me at FIU, where I have held multiple leadership positions, including Peer Mentor, Learning Assistant, Student Conduct Committee Member, Site Leader, and Events Coordinator. These roles further provided me with platforms to engage with individuals from varied backgrounds. Here, I gained direct contact with students and acquired deeper insight as to how cultural identity can shape approaches to learning, political beliefs, and familial relationships.  These experiences honed my ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and foster inclusive environments, which strengthened my capacity to guide diverse groups toward common goals.

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Through coursework such as Introduction to Sociology, World Civilizations, Searching for Reciprocity in Japan, Global Psychology, Psychology of Health and Illness in India, The Special Relationship U.S & U.K., and Language and Cultural Immersion in Taiwan, I developed a nuanced understanding of how local issues resonate on a global scale. These courses emphasized the historical and cultural evolution of societies and how individual identities are shaped by shifting cultural, political, and economic contexts over time. These courses diverged from one another when pertaining to the present day, as they focused on their respective regions and themes.

The courses of Sociology and Global Psychology, in particular, provided me with a solid foundation of understanding how individuals and their social dynamics may differ or remain consistent across societies and historical periods due to the relative cultural value placed on these norms. The other region-specific courses (those focused on World, Japan, India, Taiwan, and the U.K) went in-depth into how language, health, politics, and culture transform within their own societies due to internal developments, while also being shaped by external forces such as colonization, globalization, and intercultural exchange. Collectively, these academic experiences have broadened my ability to critically analyze global patterns and appreciate the complexities of cultural change and continuity.

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Outside of coursework, I have participated in a multitude of co-curricular activities that included enriching conversations about global issues that exist within our local communities. One of the most notable active lectures included participating in the

Tuesday Times Roundtables (TTR). This series of student-led discussions explored topics of environmental sustainability, human and labor trafficking, first-generation immigrant experiences, political strife, and women in leadership. What was especially sticking was realizing that these complex, large-scale national/global issues are not just distant challenges, but are deeply embedded in Miami's communities. The discussions were especially powerful because they were grounded in the lived experiences that I myself have not encountered but learned from students from diverse backgrounds, offering perspectives that reflected Miami’s unique cultural landscape. These dialogues helped me understand how global and local settings are not separate spheres, but deeply interconnected realities.

By developing global awareness and perspective, I was able to translate what I learned into meaningful action by physically engaging directly with diverse communities, understanding the local challenges they face, and contributing to solutions. The most impactful way I have done this has been through community service. In 5 different cities across the nation (New Orleans, Tampa, Miami, San Juan, and Washington D.C), I have dedicated my time during my spring, winter, and summer breaks to immersing myself in each city's unique cultural and historical context. By engaging with community members and local organizations, I gained insight into the root causes of ongoing issues such as environmental degradation, food and housing insecurity, unequal access to education, and animal welfare. These problems, I learned, are often deeply rooted in longstanding socio-political dynamics that vary from place to place.

My service experiences have deepened my appreciation for civic engagement and strengthened my commitment to being an active contributor to my community. Whether protecting ecosystems or supporting individuals facing socioeconomic hardship, I have found tremendous value in being part of grassroots solutions. These experiences have shaped me into someone who not only seeks to help but also strives to continually educate myself on global and local issues in order to be a more informed, compassionate, and reliable member of society.

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One trip in particular to the Nation's Capital has been the catalyst in my drive to serve the community on a more fundamental level through direct activism and running a nonprofit organization. I find it heartbreaking that many Americans, and people worldwide, struggle to find access to healthcare based on what side of the train tracks they were born on, which triggers an uphill battle with socioeconomic hardship. I firmly believe that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege.  That belief fuels my vision of one day creating my own NPO to offer pro bono services to underserved populations. In the meantime, I will continue to be committed to advocacy to uplift silenced voices, championing for equitable treatment of all. 

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My commitment to global engagement is also reflected in my research endeavors. I have long been fascinated by global psychology and the ways in which cultural differences shape human behavior and belief systems. This interest led me to pursue research from an international perspective. As a 2025 GHSA fellow in India, I conducted field research examining how culture affects medical students' perspectives in working with LGBTQ+ patients, which required navigating cultural sensitivities. I found it important to understand how culture shapes perspectives within the medical field so that I can apply that knowledge in graduate school and throughout my future career in Clinical Neuropsychology.  Working alongside local NGOs, healthcare professionals, and professors further emphasized the value of community-based approaches to health interventions. These experiences not only expanded my global perspective but also strengthened my ability to analyze complex data within specific cultural contexts, making me a more thoughtful and effective researcher.

Moving forward in my aspirations to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist, I plan on integrating cultural competence into assessments and interventions to fully tailor treatment to the specific client.  I believe that people are, in part, shaped by their environment and culture, making it essential to understand their background in order to provide effective care. My goal is to contribute to a more inclusive healthcare system that acknowledges and respects cultural differences in treatment approaches.​