This has been a memorable year filled with exquisite experiences that the Global Fellows Program has helped shape. I know that moving forward I will walk away with tangible skills and a stronger understanding of myself and the path that I am on. Events such as the International Development Panel, Spanish Conversation Club, and monthly leadership training have helped me continuously improve throughout the academic year. I’ve improved my professional skills and network, strengthened my proficiency in Spanish, and developed my leadership skills. This has all been highly applicable, as I lead a team of Duke students through a construction project within Bolivia this summer. All of these skills have prepared me for this journey ahead and I’m truly grateful for all that this program has given me.
Month: May 2022
The eight NACE Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce goes as follows: Career and self development, communication, critical thinking, equity and Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology. Through the Global Fellows program, not only have I improved within these NACE competencies, but also how to communicate the skills I have gained. The following accomplishments statements represent this:
– Fostered community through a Global Trivia night attended by over 40 International students and their families resulting in a 90% satisfaction rate and 90% return rate.
– Communicated in Spanish 3 hours weekly at Spanish Conversation Club with native Spanish speakers from Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain strengthening personal confidence and fluency in the language
– Partnered with an International Language partner in weekly cultural exchanges that supported them in acclimating to Duke and United States while forming a lasting relationship
The Global Fellows Program has been a journey of growth and introspection for me. Over twelve months, I spent countless hours immersing myself in other cultures, understanding the true meaning of cultural diversity in the process. From engaging in discussions in the English Conversation Club to the event planning with my cohort, not to mention the evening strolls I took with my language partner, all of them worked in sync to show me the true meaning of cultural diversity. Before taking this program, I used to view knowledge of other cultures as a passport that opens access to unknown worlds, now I see culture as a breathing, living mass that records and carves the aspirations of a people. I am grateful to all the people I interacted with for over a year who helped me come closer to obtaining an evolved understanding of culture and cultural diversity. Between my first IDP and my final interview with Ling, I could see how my cultural understanding has progressed by leaps and bounds. The program greatly helped me feel comfortable being a person from India studying in a completely new country by helping me understand how my cultural and linguistic roots form the bedrock of my persona, reminding me that my culture does not alienate me but rather fortifies my core. I am grateful for the efforts by the IHouse team for helping me grow from strength to strength in this year-long journey.
The Global Fellows Program has been one of my favorite parts of Duke. Not only have I learned a lot, I’ve also met incredible people. I’ve had the privilege of being introduced to a wonderful community at Duke, and for that, I am so grateful.
The Global Fellows Program has reminded me of the value of being able to meet new people. Although there are many parts of this program that may have been altered to adhere to COVID guidelines, being able to meet my language face to face, going to English Conversation Club in person, having trainings while eating food was a highlight of my semester. It was a small part of the overall program, but I am so glad I was able to engage in-person.
The Global Fellows Program has taught me that there is reward in taking my time. Being an undergraduate at Duke, there is so much to rush through. We have to rush through our T-reqs, get a summer internship, and figure out our majors. In taking my time to get to know my language partners, people at the English Conversation Club, I have built relationships I will value for the rest of my life. Taking my time to be genuine and listen earnestly is a strength. I hope to continue to remember that slowing down is not always a negative thing. There is so much of my life to rush through. Slowing down always comes with its own kind of rewards.
While the Global Fellows Program has introduced me to a wonderful, diverse community at Duke, it has also pushed me to become more in tune with the challenges Duke’s global community faces. It has taught me that care cannot be superficial and it must come with the commitment to back it up. I hope to continue supporting the global community at Duke, especially in my new role as an IHOP for the upcoming school year.
The Global Fellows Program has helped me find an amazing community at Duke. I am so grateful to Ling, Hal, all IHouse staff, and the rest of my cohort for welcoming me as a Global Fellow. It has truly been an honor, and I wish it didn’t have to end so soon. I wish next year’s Global Fellows the best of luck!
