Growing up in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, it never occurred to me to think about how my actions affected others or how those actions can make an impact on a global scale. Before coming to the United States, I had never engaged in a conversation with a person from another culture. Even after living in Miami for many years and meeting several people from different countries, I didn't gain a global perspective, awareness, or engagement until I began my undergraduate career at Florida International University. The Global Learning program enlightened me and changed my attitude toward global involvement. 

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             I learned about the Global Learning Medallion program during my first semester at FIU (in my Oceanography class). I decided to pursue the medallion, so I began to participate in global learning activities. At the same time, I also started to get involved with clubs at FIU, like the Pre-Veterinary Society. As an FIU-Pre Veterinary Society E-board member (Treasurer and Vice-President), I gained a global perspective. These leadership positions helped me to improve my communication and team-working skills, as well as to enhance my consideration of other's opinions when making a decision. Being an e-board member helped me to broaden my horizons, and I became more aware and respectful of cultural beliefs different than mine. 

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            Undergraduate research experiences helped me gain global awareness. Trough research projects, like the Marine Field Ecology course, I learned how everything is interconnected. This project made aware of how dependent aquatic wild species are of the environments in which they live. Climate change caused by human activity interferes with aquatic ecosystems, affecting, in turn, marine fauna. Further, research experiences improved my time management skills, as well as being able to perform multiple tasks at the same time. Also, I perfected my problem-solving skills, which in turn increased my self-development. 

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            Through the Global Learning department, I learned about the Alternative Breaks program. While being a Site leader for Alternative Breaks, I learned to be flexible and work together with my co-site leader to supervise our participants and coordinate our service trip. Volunteering experiences with a variety of animals, like the ones I participated in trough Alternative Breaks, increased my willingness to engage in local, national, and global problem solving regarding animal welfare. I started to feel civically responsible towards the community and towards the animals that I love so much. 

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            Through the veterinary profession, I plan to continue to be an active global citizen. I want to improve animal's lives throughout the globe, focusing on marine species. I want to be involved in research projects that examine environmental threats affecting aquatic species to maintain and improve the ecosystems essential to humans and marine wildlife. It will be my honor to dedicate my life to preserve marine species through research, conservation, and veterinary care, continuing to be an active global citizen.