UF International Initiative Team Culture and Language Program
(Position: Program Coordinator)
The Cultural and Language Partner Program helps provide continuous one-on one peer support for international and domestic students. We focus on promoting social connection and cross-cultural understanding of international students and domestic students. The program also aims to support international students to, adjust to new culture, familiarize students with the US education and academic system, and help create support system away from home.
Besides providing international student benefits, we also aim to help domestic student by, enhance cross-cultural understanding, communication skills, and increase social connection. This program was on partnership with Xue Wang, an ISP alumni as well as UF Counseling and Wellness Center. My time as a program coordinator paved a path for me on campus. As a sophomore, I never realized the impact I could make until this program, which ultimately led me to continue my work as a language instructor and APIA ambassador.
Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs (Position: Ambassador)
Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs (APIA) aims to promote a more critical understanding of APIA issues and identity while advocating for the needs of APIA community. By focusing on leadership development, providing educational dialogue focused on the complex heritage of Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and being a voice for the APIA community at UF, APIA Affairs will empower its community members to take a more active role in shaping their experiences at the University of Florida and beyond.
UF Student Language Assistant
The English Language Institute (ELI) is the University of Florida’s Intensive English Program for international students. The purpose of the program is to allow students to practice English conversation in an informal setting and to expose them to American culture. The student language instructors are responsible for planning communicative activities that support the faculty's teaching goals and interacting with students at extracurricular activities organized by the ELI's Cultural Immersion Program (CIP).
My first interaction with this organization began when I was a freshman as part of the conversation partner program where I was matched with an international student to assist them in speaking english by meeting up on a weekly basis. While I did enjoy doing that, I wanted to make a bigger impact so after studying abroad, I found an opportunity to served as a Student Language Instructor during the Fall 2016 Spring 2017 Semesters, where I was able to utilize my leadership and communication skills while also gaining relevant work experience. Through this opportunity I was able to assist students in preparation for the TOEFL (a general entry to English-speaking institutions), and collaborated with listening and speaking teachers in order to write informal lesson plans and weekly reflections, reinforcing the language objectives for international students. The best part about this experience was I introduced these students to American culture, campus life, and the greater Gainesville community by leading weeknight events and weekend immersion field trips throughout the semester.
University of Florida Study Abroad Peer Advisor
After my study abroad experience, I had the opportunity to be a SAPA for the International Center. Peer Advisor is a unique asset to students wishing to study abroad in that it is a group of roughly 30 UF study abroad alumni who volunteer their time to assist with the study abroad process. Because the students recently studied abroad they offer a student's perspective, they are equipped to answer questions that address issues which are central to the life of every college student, including such seemingly trivial things as eating, shopping, and doing laundry in your country of interest.
I was able to assist different advisers through presentations, tabling sessions, study abroad fairs, and one-on-one office hours to make an impact for interested student who are interested in studying abroad. My time in China was a once in a lifetime experience and I want to share that with students who may not have thought so otherwise.
If you are interested in studying abroad and want to learn more about another student's experiences overseas, then come on over to the International Center in the Hub and speak with a Peer Advisor today!
