As I look back on my time at the University of Florida, I am struck by the sheer number of changes I have undergone. It’s difficult to grasp the variety of experiences and the great impact they’ve had on my personal development within a mere four years. When I first arrived at UF, I intended to solely pursue psychology and obtain a graduate degree to become a therapist. However, my plans substantially diverged from my initial expectations due to the perspective I gained in my classes and the International Scholars Program. 

 

Two of the first classes I took were international courses- Discovering Music and Myths of the Greeks and Romans. These classes informed my knowledge about people who had always seemed distant and unfamiliar to me. For example, learning about the different musical customs in China compared to the United States forged a mental connection by uniting seemingly disparate countries through musical expression. This mindset also led me to investigate the unifying effects of music in my Music and Health course, which sought to elucidate the world-wide applications of music in healthcare. Since psychology tends to be dominated by Western thought, it was eye-opening to learn about different cultures and how they uniquely approached mental health. Overall, my international coursework demonstrated the intersectionality of my education and drew connections between my psychological knowledge and different cultures. 

 

As for my experiences with language learning, my journey arose somewhat unexpectedly. Since I chose a major within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, I was obligated to complete a language requirement. I enrolled in an introductory Spanish course and realized how much I had forgotten over the course of high school. Gradually, I began to develop a love for learning syntax and verb conjugations, even though my assignments would take hours to complete. I was exhilarated by the prospect of being able to actually converse with someone in another language. My enjoyment subsequently led me to declare a Spanish minor, a decision that began my foray into global understanding. 

 

My passion for learning Spanish led me to search for an outlet where I could put my skills learned in the classroom to the test. Therefore, I applied to study in Madrid, Spain during the summer of 2018 and was accepted! Needless to say, my time in Spain was absolutely transformative. My confidence in my language abilities improved as I had to fend for myself in this new country; for instance, describing my symptoms to obtain medicine when I felt ill or asking questions while checking out at the grocery store. I became more competent as I was placed in countless situations where I had to think on my feet, and consequently learned to truly live in the moment. Whether I was out walking en El Parque Retiro or conversing with my Spanish teachers in Madrid, I proved my ability to function in a society with which I was initially unfamiliar. 

 

I was able to apply this newfound confidence in TA roles in Counseling and Social Psychology, where I led my peers in discussions and lectures. As a research assistant in a psychology clinic, I was able to translate and score measures given to Spanish-speaking patients. Perhaps most importantly, I am far more aware of the experiences of people from Spanish-speaking countries. I can grasp how it feels to be in a new situation where no one seems to understand you, and this has ultimately increased my empathy. This profound impact manifests itself the most during my volunteer work at the Crisis Center, when I often talk to people from vastly different economic, social, and cultural backgrounds. Due to my globalized perspective, I am better equipped to empathize with their issues and offer them solace in times of crisis. 

 

Overall, my international experiences and my values cultivated at UF have instilled a greater confidence in myself and my abilities. My knowledge of other cultures and their customs has grown immensely, in large part thanks to learning the Spanish language. The myriad of challenges I have encountered during the language learning process have  inspired a greater understanding of how difficult it can be to communicate effectively. I am exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the International Scholars Program and look to the future with optimism. I hope that I will continue to develop my own global perspective as I pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and become a licensed therapist to provide therapy to all people, regardless of their background.