Final Reflection
My time at UF and the experiences I've had, whether that be in the local community or internationally, have challenged, encouraged, and shaped me into the student and individual I am today. I am extremely grateful for my ability to travel as it has allowed me to become more of a global citizen and has encouraged me to be more understanding of new perspectives and experiences. Travelling halfway around the world, I was exposed to a completely different culture and language. I witnessed firsthand the challenges in healthcare delivery within a global context. The healthcare system in Thailand, particularly in relation to the access and equity of care, gave me a critical lens through which I could analyze health disparities. My internship also forced me to navigate and communicate with healthcare professionals from different cultural backgrounds, allowing me to adapt my communication style to bridge any gaps in understanding. Outside my internship, I was able to visit different parts of Thailand, some more rural than others. One of our tours we were able to walk through a small village that produces their own rice, and deepen our understanding of the process. We also got to visit an elephant sanctuary and interact with these amazing animals. This trip completely changed my life. It proved to me how much I value my ability to travel and expand my perspective through new environments. It also confirmed my strengths of adaptability and love for learning. Even when I feel out of place, I push myself to try something new and it has helped me grow my confidence.
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Coming back to the states, 5 weeks after being abroad, it definitely changed my perspective on my day to day life. I felt more comfortable putting myself in new environments. It has peaked my interest in learning more about healthcare from a global perspective, thus influencing my decision to take more globally focused courses, such as Global Health Disparities and Disabilities, and Global Leadership. Global Leadership has been instrumental in developing my global literacy and intercultural communication skills. Learning about leadership in a global society, I was introduced to theories and practices that emphasize the importance of cross-cultural communication and leadership in multicultural contexts. This knowledge has prepared me to lead and work effectively in diverse environments, which is critical in any global or intercultural setting. I’ve come to understand that leadership is not just about managing teams but also about understanding and respecting diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Global Health Disparities and Disabilities helped me gain insights into how cultural, economic, and environmental factors impact the accessibility and effectiveness of healthcare services. I learned how the US is the top spender on healthcare in the world, yet we do not see health outcomes with the same trend. This class sparked my passion for furthering my education within public health, specifically through a global perspective. Thus, studying abroad and my international coursework contributed to my ability to formulate my career goals and clarify my professional aspirations. I am now more aware of the opportunities in life that are open to me, and I plan to take advantage of every opportunity.
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These combined experiences have given me a solid foundation to critically interpret global issues and communicate effectively across cultures. From healthcare disparities to global leadership, and exposure to internationally focused events at UF, I now approach global and intercultural challenges with an open mind, and an understanding that interconnectedness and cultural sensitivity are key to fostering collaboration and solving complex problems. The International Scholars Program has given me the opportunity to reflect on my experiences here at UF and around the world. It has increased my involvement on campus and shown me new experiences I would have otherwise never found. It incorporates multiple forms of learning to push me to grow as a student. I had to take international coursework, attend internationally focused events, and create this ePortfolio as a final way to organize my thoughts and emotions regarding these experiences. I think creating this ePortfolio is very useful because it pushes me to think more deeply about my internationally focused experiences, and how it has shaped me these last four years into the person I am today, ready to graduate and continue this mindset throughout the future. ​​​
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