Reflection on my time in the ISP

It’s a weird feeling to know that my time at the University of Florida and undergraduate career is coming to a close and in a few weeks, I will be graduating.  These four years have been full of many wonderful experiences, friendships, and opportunities that I am extremely grateful for. I came into UF undecided in my major and unsure of what I wanted my future to look like or where I might end up. It was in my first year after trying out different classes and exploring volunteer opportunities that I decided upon nursing as my major, and I will soon be looking for my first job as an RN.

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Over the past four years I have engaged in many extracurricular and academic pursuits, including Red Cross Gators, TOPSoccer, the Student Honor Code Administration, and Disability Ambassadors. Two of the most significant experiences I was a part of were Gators for Refugee Medical Relief and the UF Scientific Diver Development Program. Gators for Refugee Medical Relief is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of local and abroad refugee populations through medical and educational services. I joined the organization my freshman year and moved up to a Director of Public Relations position and then became the President during my junior year. My time there was very formative for me as I learned a lot about working with underserved populations and specifically refugee populations in general who have many unique needs, developed my leadership and communication skills, and gained experience with event and long-term planning. Through this club, I founded and hosted a podcast, started and edited a blog, and created the organization’s website.

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The UF Scientific Diving Development Program has also been one of the most significant experiences of my time at UF. I took an open water scuba diving class the first semester of college on a whim after a preview advisor recommended it. I ended up loving it and continued taking classes through college up until my Divemaster certification class, which is the first level of professional diving. Since then, I have worked as a Divemaster and teaching assistant for UF Scuba. This includes assisting in teaching open water through master diver classes, monitoring in-water safety, teaching safety and diving skills, leading divers on open water dives, including deep, night, low visibility, wreck, boat, and drift dives, and repairing equipment. I developed a strong passion for diving and have spent my free time diving in the springs of central Florida and delving into technical diving, including cave diving.

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In addition to these endeavors, I also have been a part of the International Scholars Program and Peace Corps Prep Programs which have shaped my experience at UF and my future. I have taken multiple classes as part of my coursework for the program, which has improved my writing and communication skills, exposed me to new ways of thinking, and expanded my global awareness. My favorite course was International Humanitarian Assistance, where I learned about a number of humanitarian crises and was exposed to how aid is provided in these situations and the challenges associated with it. Other courses, like International Development Policy and Cities of the World, also challenged me and broadened my knowledge of international issues and policies, and furthered my interest in these subjects.

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One of the international experiences that I did for the Peace Corps Prep Program, an internship at the Muslim American Social Services Free Health Clinic, is one of the major influences on my desire to become a nurse and is the reason I declared that as my major. They are a non-profit clinic that served uninsured people in the Jacksonville area, and I volunteered with them for two years as a medical intern. This gave me many opportunities to work with underserved populations and learn more about their challenges and how people like those at the MASS clinic try to address these and work around them, to see more behind-the-scenes of the healthcare field, work with and shadow providers, develop my own skills working with people and patients, and be able to help provide services to in-need people.

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As a whole, the International Scholars Program had a significant impact on my college career and has helped my future. It helped lead me to my current career choice of nursing, exposed me to many new issues and fields, and introduced me to potential career possibilities in the future. It has also made me a more aware and responsible global citizen and helped me develop many important skills. I am very grateful for the program and its role in my life these past four years, and the opportunities it has pushed me to pursue.