Global Learning on Campus

One of the most useful lessons I have gained at UF is that global learning can happen without leaving campus. Events and student organizations have allowed me to explore culture from different perspectives: as a Brazilian student, a marketer, a presenter, and someone interested in sports.

I regularly attend BRASA events because they help me stay connected to Brazilian culture and the Brazilian community at UF. At BRASA GBM 3, I met other Brazilian students, spoke Portuguese, and shared experiences about studying in the United States. That connection matters because adapting to a new country does not remove the need to feel understood through your own language and background. BRASA has helped me reflect on how cultural identity can support participation in a broader international community.

At the IPSA International Symposium, I participated as both a presenter and a panelist. Representing ISP, I discussed how students can continue developing their global experiences through courses, events, organizations, and e-portfolios. On the panel “The Intersection of Internationalization and Professional Development,” I shared my experience as an international student. Answering questions encouraged me to think more carefully about how to explain the value of global experiences through specific skills and examples.

AMA’s International Marketing GBM brought that idea into my professional interests. I led the event as Director of Global and Cultural Intelligence, and members developed Starbucks campaigns for different countries. Learning from ALPFA UF’s perspective on marketing in Latin America added another point of view. The activity reinforced that marketers need to understand a market rather than assume a successful approach will transfer everywhere.

I also attended the 2026 Sports Collective Symposium session “World Cup 2026: Mexico’s Opportunity to Improve Its International Image.” I was interested in the connection between sports and a country’s global reputation, and Paloma invited me. The discussion showed how tourism, culture, public diplomacy, and coordination between the Mexican government and FIFA could shape international perceptions.

These experiences connected interests I sometimes considered separately. Sports can create friendships and influence a country’s image. Cultural organizations can support belonging and reflection. Marketing can help people discover opportunities and shape how places are understood. Together, the events helped me see global learning as an ongoing practice of connecting ideas and perspectives.