Reflection as Global Scholar

Looking back on my time as a global scholar, I can’t help but reminisce on all the GIP events, padlet posts, blog drafts, exciting classroom discussions, and overall overall growth in global awareness and personal perspective.

Each assignment was more than just a grade; it was a prompt to think deeper. Whether we were debating ethical dilemmas, analyzing global conflicts, or collaborating across topics, I found myself constantly challenged to examine my own assumptions and listen more closely to perspectives different from mine. The open-discussion format of our “Facing Global Challenges” course allowed me to do just that. Through it all, I started to realize that being a “global scholar” wasn’t about knowing everything—it was about staying curious, uncomfortable, and committed to understanding complexity.

Initially, I felt inclined to be a Global Scholar due to my international experience of living in Shanghai, China. I had first-hand experiencing of navigating language barriers, facing diverse cultural expectations, and learning how to bridge differences with empathy and curiosity. Moving between two countries, and two different school systems, taught me to be observant, adaptable, and open-minded. I became attuned to the nuances of communication, the weight of misunderstanding, and the beauty of cultural exchange. These experiences sparked my interest in global issues and deepened my desire to better understand how identity, policy, and history shape the world around us. The Global Scholars Program felt like a natural next step, a space where I could connect my personal background to broader global contexts and begin exploring how I might contribute to a more informed, inclusive, and interconnected world.

One of the most memorable moments for me was listening to the Heinz Ethics event with Professor Reisz, Mr. De Los Santos, and Professor Berestein Rojas. Their unique blend of legal insight, lived experience, and journalistic perspective created a multidimensional conversation that deeply resonated with me. The way they tackled the legal intricacies of immigration alongside the emotional and human impact reminded me that policy is never just about paperwork—it’s about people. Each speaker brought a different lens: Professor Reisz offered clarity and guidance on navigating immigration law, Mr. De Los Santos spoke from the heart about resilience in the face of systemic barriers, and Professor Berestein Rojas connected policy to public perception and media narratives. Together, they painted a full picture of what it means to live as an immigrant in America today—legally vulnerable, politically targeted, and yet powerfully resilient. This panel didn’t just inform me—it moved me to think more critically and compassionately about the systems we live in and the stories we choose to elevate.

Their event was one of the reasons that inspired my capstone project. My capstone project, which focused on immigrant storytelling, pushed me to turn that awareness into action. Working with Advancing Justice SoCal, I learned how language, advocacy, and narrative can bridge gaps and combat stereotypes. There were moments of doubt, miscommunication, and uncertainty, but that’s what made it all the more meaningful at the end.

If I’ve taken anything away from this journey, it’s that global citizenship isn’t just about traveling far. It’s about looking closely—at who’s being heard, who’s being left out, and what you’re willing to do about it. As I move forward, I know the Global Scholars Program has given me more than just a title. It’s given me a lens, a responsibility, and a community.