About Me
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My Name is Jennifer Mejia. I am a Bachelor of Arts graduate with a major in English from Florida International University (FIU). I transferred into FIU in the Spring 2018 semester after moving from New York to Miami. Choosing to continue my academic studies at FIU was one of the best decisions I could have ever made for myself. The level of learning that i have been able to receive in just a short time is something i will cherish forever.
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When I first read a bout the Global Learning Medallion program, it Instantly caught my attention. As a future educator, I fully believe that my participation in this program has helped me achieve a deeper Global enlightenment and understanding of the importance inclusivity and diversity in our educational system has on students, while also obtaining the best level of learning in an an environment that is open and welcoming to everyone.
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Since I am an English major, I specifically chose my GL courses that were tailored to my major. To have the opportunity to study works of literature from all over the world and engage in Thought-provoking conversation was extremely beneficial to me and my own academic journey of becoming an English Professor.
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GL Courses
LIT 3671 -
Global Issues in Literature
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Global issues are those aspects of culture that are affected by the interchange of people, ideas, materials, and information through a broad network of international contact. Not merely international, global issues involve a higher level of organization generated by the heightened degree of cultural interchange. Global issues in literature include aspects of story, author, character, and context whose individual identities are affected by migration, exile, global trade, or other transnational forces. Particular emphasis is placed on postcolonial literature and women’s literature as global phenomena.
WST 3641-
LGBT And Beyond
Non-Normative Sexualities in Global Perspective
This course is intended to introduce you to the interdisciplinary study of non-normative sexualities and genders around the world. We will pay special attention to how and when not just our classifications but our assumptions, concepts and theories of sexuality and gender prove inappropriate for other cultural contexts. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of multiple local and global dimensions of non-normative sexual and gender experiences around the world, as well as the interconnections of these dimensions. Students will be able to conduct an analysis of sexual/gender experience in a different/non-familiar cultural context with a theory of sexuality and gender that is appropriate to that context. Students will be able to demonstrate willingness to address contemporary oppressions faced by sexual and gender minorities around the world at local and global levels.
ANT 3241 -
Myth, Ritual and Mysticism
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This course is concerned with the boundaries between everyday life and another order of reality: the supernatural world, the world of spirits and gods, magical powers, religions, and mystical dangers, and with what happens when those barriers ease or break apart. We understand our world and shape our lives in large part by assigning meanings to objects, beings, events, and persons; by connecting things together in symbolic patterns; and by creating elaborate forms of symbolic action and narrative. The course considers how symbols related to the supernatural world are created and structured; how they draw on and give meaning to different domains of the human world; how they are woven into politics, family life, and the life cycle; and how we can interpret them.
AMH 2020 -
American History Introductory Survey Since 1877
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This is also a Global Learning Foundations course that counts towards your Global Learning graduation requirement. One of the themes of this course will therefore be the ways that different groups of people interacted over the period covered by the course. Students will recognize that U.S. history cannot be understood in isolation from people and events from around the world. Construct an evidence-based argument demonstrating how local, regional, national, and global events shaped the interactions of two or more groups in the United States. Recognize that history is comprised of multiple stories, representing diverse experiences and perspectives. Construct an evidence-based argument that integrates multiple perspectives on an issue in Modern US History. Consider different perspectives on a problem or controversy related to Modern US History and attempt to reach a resolution about it.
GL Activity Points
While completing my Global learning Activity points criteria, I had the opportunity to attend Three extremely thought-provoking lecture discussions in which the guest speakers left an enormous impact on me.
Ambassador of Ghana to Brazil, Dr. Abena Busia, Dr. Ellen Friedman, Professor of English & Holocaust and Genocide studies, and Award-winning Author Edwidge Danticat.
All three of these lectures were an immersive experience into many Global issues touched upon in a literary art form. Ambassador Busia engaged the audience in a lecture with excerpts from her book entitled "Altogether elsewhere". These essays are Ambassador Busia’s “portable shelters.” The staging posts she has erected over the last four decades in the United States, The United Kingdom, Europe and Ghana. She touched on the topics of identity in her lecture. Having lived in so many countries, identity is something that is key to the exilic experience. I truly enjoyed this lecture and really felt empowered as an English student to continue pushing myself as much as I can so that I can absorb as much information that I will then someday transfer to my own students, in hopes of inspiring them the way I left this lecture inspired.
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Aside from attending 2 more of these lectures that were similar to Ambassador Busia, Many of my activity points came from joining the weekly discussions that FIU Alum Gerson Sanchez conducts via his social justice platform Instagram page. Every week a different current Global event topic is discussed in depth and the viewer is given the opportunity to weigh in on real-world Global issues affecting us all.
Internship
University of Miami, School of Architecture Internship
Experience: 0-3
Length of Internship: 3 Months beginning August 07, 2018 through November 30, 2018
The University of Miami, School of Architecture is recognized for educating students for success in a range of professional opportunities. Through a curriculum that focuses on city-making and integrates project-based inquiries, travel, and research, the faculty prepare students to address the complex needs of an increasingly diverse society.
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I had the opportunity to complete my Global Medallion Capstone Internship at the University of Miami, School of Architecture during the Fall 2018 semester term. I was excited for the opportunity to be working closely with a diverse array of students from all over the world, who decided to pursue their degree of architecture at UM. My Internship responsibilities varied. I had the distinct honor of working closely and providing direct assistance to the Assistant Dean of the School of Architecture, the Associate Director of the Undergraduate program as well as the Assistant Director of the Graduate studies program.
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Some of my responsibilities included assisting in the recruitment process for new incoming students, including international 1st Year students as well as International transfer students. I also had the opportunity to assist in the processing of International Visas for students attending the Study abroad semester in Rome, Italy. The coordination of this process allowed me to learn the thorough process involved in obtaining student Visa’s for travel in order to experience studying abroad. It also allowed me the chance to work closely with the liaison for the Italian Consulate.
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Lastly, I also assisted in all levels of preparation and execution of the upcoming School of Architecture events which include, Freshmen Orientation, the Parent’s Breakfast and Orientation for new Graduate students.
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This Internship truly provided me with a diversified outlook on the education process and how important inclusivity of all students truly is when it comes to creating the most beneficial educational experience possible. I am grateful for the opportunity to open my mind to the many moving parts needed to create an academic atmosphere that promotes growth and acceptance of all students. This will help me in becoming a better educator to my future students.
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Contact.
THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
The level of impact an educator can have on our youth who similar to them, stems from humble beginnings, yet has been able to overcome obstacles in life and is driven to refine herself in order to achieve her goals, can be inspiring beyond measure. As a future educator, the importance of knowing that I have the imperative task of molding our youth to become the greatest version of themselves possible is a responsibility of the highest importance to me. The ability to inspire our youth and help them achieve their highest potential is something I strive to achieve. Society has an unapologetic history of attempting to eradicate a person’s culture as well as their individuality. That integral fiber embedded within us all, which is so imperative in distinguishing us individually as well as allowing each of us to shine to the hue of our own colors. My goal is to provide my future students with the opportunity to plant seeds within themselves and allow them to flourish and feed their minds by providing them with a diverse and inclusive learning experience.
When I think about the education I have been able to absorb in just a short time here at FIU, I often find myself in disbelief that I have overcome so many obstacles and can see the finish line in sight. For many students like myself, Attending a University and obtaining your degree is often not even a possibility. The courses I have been taken with the Global Learning program have provided me with such a deeper sense of understanding and awareness that I didn’t have before. It has made me stop and take a moment to realize my surroundings and what I can do and how I can contribute to improving learning experiences for every single student, no matter their cultural background or race. I’ve learned that there is much collective work to do but not impossible work.
I am the youngest daughter of immigrant parents who never had the opportunity to attend college, who dares to challenge the cultural and social norms and pursue a college degree. I say the above with a deeper sense of pride within myself. My chest swells with excitement at the thought of my mother being at my graduation ceremony this summer. My achievements are her achievements and the impact I make on this world will be in honor of how my mother raised me. I have always known that and yet, this journey of Global Perspective has allowed me to see the bigger picture in a brighter way. It was evident then and it is now that the need for more diversity within our educational system is pivotal and so necessary for the continued guidance and teaching of students. Since beginning my journey here at FIU in the spring 2018 semester, I was fortunate enough to enroll in the Global Learning Program which has opened my mind to so much information that is vital in molding me into the best educator possible for my future students.
I fully feel enriched with each course I have been fortunate enough to take here at FIU and I am eager and excited to continue learning as much as I possibly can in order to give back to my community and inspire the way I have been inspired. I am excited for the opportunity to continue my studies here at FIU, which include obtaining my Ph. D and becoming a professor in academia. Most importantly, it would expose me to countless opportunities of being mentored and the opportunity to learn from diverse and experienced professors that come from all walks of life, which in my opinion, is where the real and distinct learning also occurs.