IRC Reflection
My service project for the PC Prep Certificate composed of volunteering at the International Rescue Committee. Here, I worked with marginalized and underprivileged groups in helping them to obtain citizenship, work visas, and to take English classes. I utilized my Spanish courses here, as the majority of the people I assisted spoke basic English. I am currently being considered for a Teacher Trainer Volunteer in Colombia with the Peace Corps. As I have taught English in China to numerous age groups, I hope to be accepted into this program. Involving myself in this program assured me that the Peace Corps was the right path for me.
My main project at the IRC addressed numerous issues. One of them was the protection of women who have been trafficked in South Florida. I advocated on behalf of the International Rescue Committee at numerous events to educate the community on both the refugee crisis and human trafficking right here in Miami. I chose this project because my father himself is a refugee and this topic hits home. I am also involved with UN Women’s chapter at FIU which heavily promotes gender equality both on campus and outside. Educating the community on crucial global issues drives me and has been a big part of my project. My involvement in the IRC gave me more awareness and perspective on global issues from working directly with refugees and marginalized communities from all around the world. I significantly increased my knowledge of international organizations and volunteering here confirmed my interest in both international organizations and the refugee crisis.
Another volunteer project I completed was at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. There, I dedicated over 100 hours to taking care of injured sloths, monkeys, and different types of birds. Each week, I took a group of monkeys into the forest to help them integrate back into the wild.
Studying Spanish has drastically changed my life in the most positive sense. I have opened a whole new world of opportunity for myself. Any company I work for in the future will require me to speak Spanish. Also, studying Chinese allowed me to understand their culture a lot more and hopefully I can return to China one day to continue my Mandarin studies.
I graduate August 1st, 2017 and I hope to join the Peace Corps. My application is currently under consideration for Teacher Trainer in Colombia leaving January 2018. What I hope to achieve in the Peace Corps is promote gender equality in the classroom while simultaneously improving my students level at English. There are countless benefits to joining the PC. One has space to be creative in the most humble and beautiful way while benefiting a community abroad.
Graduating from FIU leaves me with a sweet feeling in my heart, for I know I took advantage of the many things it offers to its students, including PCP and GLM. Also, involving myself in UN Women left me with stronger leadership skills and team building skills.
Overall, these past few years have allowed me to explore my own interests and practice my skills in real-world settings, all while studying my favorite subjects. As I haven’t heard back from the Peace Corps, I am currently applying to numerous universities in the UK to pursue a master in Gender and Development, for which I will start in September 2018. As for this next year, I am still looking for a job but I will continue volunteering at the International Rescue Committee in the meantime.