Sarah
Garfield
Critical Thinking
I learned critical thinking during my time in Scotland. On one of my busiest weeks in the summer (traveling to Newcastle and Glasgow, meeting mentors in Edinburgh, and having a friend from the US stay with me for a few days), my phone decided to break. Right when I was about to leave for Newcastle (a city I’d never been to before and meeting another UF student that I’d never met before. Through three visits to the Apple Store, two cities, and one week later, I finally had a fixed phone and a burner as a souvenir to bring home. This experience increased my travel confidence and critical thinking because I navigated foreign cities without Google Maps or technology. Instead, I relied on the kindness of strangers around me and learned to use my surroundings.
From my summer work, I was selected as one of three students to present a poster in Tallahassee at the Florida Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capitol event. This experience taught me how fast-paced the government really is and how to adjust my communication styles accordingly. For example, all our meetings were 20 minutes or less because the policymakers are meeting with so many groups every day. I had to present two months of my life in two minutes or less, which was very difficult at first. To legislators, I had to present the work quickly, while I could elaborate more with the other students. Through this, I can now adjust my communication styles, which is a very important skill in a future career as a psychologist. We also had the opportunity to sit in on a Criminal Justice Committee session (which I’d never done before!) and watch policymakers pass two related bills. Again, the introductions/rebuttals to the bills lasted around 15 minutes, but it was still rewarding to see the law change right in front of my eyes.
From my summer work, I was selected as one of three students to present a poster in Tallahassee at the Florida Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capitol event. This experience taught me how fast-paced the government really is and how to adjust my communication styles accordingly. For example, all our meetings were 20 minutes or less. I had to present two months of my life in two minutes or less, which was very difficult at first. To legislators, I had to present the work quickly, while I could elaborate more with the other students. Through this, I can now adjust my communication styles, which is a very important skill in a future career as a psychologist. We also had the opportunity to sit in on a Criminal Justice Committee session (which I’d never done before!) and watch policymakers pass two related bills. Again, the introductions/rebuttals to the bills lasted around 15 minutes, but it was still rewarding to see the law change right in front of my eyes.
Communication Skills
Career and Self-Development
I was responsible for completing an independent research project and completing an ePortfolio during my time in Scotland. Although two months seems like a lot, it went by quicker than I thought. While I already had some experience conducting an independent research project in this short amount of time, through my REU in Vermont, this experience taught me how to structure and block out my time effectively. I allowed myself adequate time to run the project and subsequently write a possible manuscript for publication. These project management and organizational skills were further translated into my Senior Honors Thesis, where I used my time blocking technique.
Global and Cultural Engagement
Traveling alone to a foreign country is frankly a terrifying experience. The only people I knew initially in Scotland were my mentor and my flatmate (whom I’d only “met” for a quick WhatsApp call). I was nervous that I’d feel lonely when I arrived; however, I decided that I needed to hit the ground running. I joined groups and attended dinners/other social events the first week I arrived. I struck up a conversation with random strangers on the bus. I took solo trips and relied on the kindness of strangers. I made plans with people I’d met for an hour, who have become my lifelong friends. All of these experiences have strengthened my confidence to talk to strangers and my global engagement. I learned that connections can be found at any corner; I just needed to seek and find these opportunities for myself.