Global Scholars Reflection
My time as a Global Scholar has brought me deeper into the folds of the world. I have always been interested in the affairs of the world. In 3rd grade, I memorized the flags of every country on Earth, and in 7th and 8th grade, I made state finals for the Geography Bee, finishing in the Top 10 the second time around! Having kept this passion well into high school, I knew that Global Scholars was a program that I wanted to be a part of. I had already heard from other students about its ability to provide opportunities for creativity and exploration surrounding international subjects- and they were absolutely right!
In the summer before the Global Scholars class even kicked off, I went on a trip to Puerto Rico as part of the affiliated Global Initiatives Program. As this was my first time ever traveling outside the continental United States, it was quite a transformative journey for me. Obviously, being in an entirely new and vastly different cultural and geographical environment was something that I had never before experienced. However, the effect of the trip for me was far greater than just novelty, or experiencing something new. We learned about activists who were fighting for labor unions and the environment, talked to women who dedicated their lives to preventing domestic abuse in the rural areas of the territory, and learned about the ongoing political battle within Puerto Rico that many thousands have fought for. All of these moments were inspiring, and left me with not only amazing memories of being on the “Island of Enchantment”, but a desire to create tangible change within my own community.
Fast forward to May of 2023 — the final month of Senior Year. After a year of work and learning with my fellow Global Scholars, it was time to present my final, cumulative Capstone Project. I had chosen to focus my efforts on the connection between soccer and politics, and how identity and culture had a place within the world’s game. For my capstone project, I taught six 10th-grade world history classes about the subject. Every time I gave my presentation, I got more and more confident and was soon completely enjoying myself rather than stressing out about what I had to say next. Through this project, I learned more about myself. I gained confidence as a public speaker, both planned and impromptu, and also got to really dig into a topic that I was passionate about. I have come out as a stronger learner, teacher, and person!
My time as a Global Scholar has allowed me to explore and experience topics and places that I never thought I would have the opportunity to. Whether in Puerto Rico or the classroom, I am forever grateful for the gift that the Global Scholars Program has given to me!
