​     During my time abroad for my research in the Galápagos Islands, I learned that science is not just about collecting data or running statistical tests. It is a mindset that requires adaptability, empathy, and resilience. Conducting scientific scuba diving fieldwork showed me very quickly that things rarely go according to plan. Equipment breaks, weather shifts without warning, and even the most detailed experimental design can fall apart the moment you touch the water. I learned how to think on my feet and stay calm when something went wrong. Sometimes that meant fixing gear with whatever I had available, even using a hair tie to hold my weight belt together after the buckle snapped. That ability to stay focused and problem solve in the moment carried directly into my research. When my experiments produced unexpected results, I did not freeze or panic. Instead, I re-examined my hypotheses, changed my approach, and kept moving forward.
     This experience strengthened my confidence in ways I never anticipated. Before I went abroad, I often saw myself as someone from a low income, first generation background who sometimes felt out of place in academic or scientific spaces. Being in the Galápagos changed that. Working alongside international scientists, participating in research that mattered, and contributing to the understanding of an ecosystem that is globally significant helped me realize that I belonged in this field. I returned home not only with data and thesis chapters but with a much stronger sense of identity as both a scientist and a global citizen. I realized that my background and perspective were not barriers. They were strengths that shaped the questions I asked and the way I approached my work.
     Living and working in the Galápagos also deepened my cultural awareness in a meaningful way. I saw firsthand how physical, biological, and social systems are interconnected. I learned how important it is for scientists to respect local knowledge and understand the cultural context of the places they work in. That shifted my entire view of conservation. I began to understand that studying an ecosystem means considering people, history, and place, not just species and habitats. It is something I carry with me into every project now.
     Another part of my growth came from strengthening my Spanish. Even though I grew up in a Colombian household, most of my Spanish came from conversation, not formal learning. While working abroad and participating in the International Scholars Program, I made an effort to improve my reading and writing in Spanish, especially scientific Spanish. It helped me connect more deeply with my culture and communicate better with my family members who only speak Spanish. I also felt more connected to music, literature, and the stories that shaped my community. Being able to move confidently between English and Spanish, including in academic settings, made me feel more whole. It reminded me that my identity is not split between two cultures but grounded in both.
     My global learning experience with UF and the International Scholars Program is not just something I completed. It is the foundation for everything I want to do next. Academically, it solidified my passion for marine science and quantitative ecology. Professionally, it strengthened my desire to pursue a PhD in quantitative fisheries ecology so that I can contribute to sustainable marine management. Personally, it gave me the confidence to be both a scientist and a bridge between communities, whether that means mentoring students in Gainesville or working with researchers abroad.
     The cultural insights I gained through fieldwork, community engagement, and involvement with clubs like PorColombia continue to shape how I approach conservation. I now understand that meaningful science requires listening, collaboration, and respect for the cultures and communities connected to the ecosystems we study. As I move forward, I carry with me a global perspective, a deep sense of purpose, and a commitment to mentorship and service. The International Scholars Program helped me grow into someone who can bring people together, share knowledge across different spaces, and dream boldly about building a better and more sustainable world.