My Passion for Community Service Work
My Story
My name is Maria Mendez and I am a senior at Florida International University, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications with a minor in Public Administration . After graduating I will be serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay. After I am done with my service I will pursue my masters in Social Work.
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"I am that clumsy human, always loving, loving, loving. And loving. And never leaving." -Frida Kahlo.
Global Experience
A list of experiences that have helped me in gaining Global Perspective
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The Tuesday Times Roundtable (TTR) is FIU’s signature global learning eventTTR session topics can range on a wide variety of global topics, such as food security, social media, public health, finance, study abroad.
Intercultural Civic Engagement
Through my extensive experience as VP of The BC Community project, a FIU student organization that advocates to dismantle chronic homelessness it has allowed me to work with individuals that come from all walks of life and different backgrounds. Some duties that I took on as the role of VP were strategizing and overseeing the implementation of weekly community driven programs and initiatives along with establishing and maintaining regular contact with members of the community, local businesses, and homeless populations within these communities. During my time at Florida International University, I have been a part of various non-profit and student organizations. Through these experiences I have realized that I am extremely passionate about working for my community and creating projects which bring these communities together. Working with the Florida Justice Center, I was able to gain valuable case management skills which allowed me to accurately assess the needs of the clients and provide important resources.
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Capstone Project
Clean the World Foundation takes an active role in working to achieve universal access to WASH around the world. They operate multi-year development programs in vulnerable communities globally, including WASH Infrastructure & Education and Menstrual Health & Hygiene, which help local communities develop and maintain the WASH resources and knowledge necessary for healthier, sustainable livelihoods. Through their humanitarian aid efforts, including emergency relief around the world and mobile WASH projects in the United States, they work to ensure all people experiencing crises have the WASH access they need to improve and sustain health. As a Community Program Coordinator I was responsible of creating ways to promote disaster preparedness kits and WASH programs in various schools and afterschool programs through community engagement and leadership to reach the target of 100,000 community members
Global learning enables every student to engage with others to find connections among divergent perspectives. These connections are the bedrock upon which we all learn to create innovative, equitable, and sustainable solutions for our interconnected human and natural communities.
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Global Experience
A list of experiences that have helped me in gaining Global Perspective
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COM4430
This course helped me explore communication in a global business setting with both a theoretical and experiential framework. Through the assignments in this course I was able to improve my communication skills as well as improve how I
would react to certain scenarios
in a global business setting.
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COM3461
This course helped me develop the skills to build and maintain relationships across cultures. The projects throughout this class focused on similarities and differences in communication behaviors, perceptions, language usage and social practices. I was able to successfully apply all of this knowledge while working with community members.
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IDS3336
This course allowed me to further explore
the interrelatedness of societies and
culture through the use of language, music
and art. Through this research I was able to
explore and appreciate how societies and
individuals in these societies convey
thoughts based on their ow worldly
perspective.
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PAD3800
This course introduced me to the principles of urban governance in order to manage specific development problems of global cities. I learned a lot in this course especially my leadership skills.
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Global learning reflection
Perspective, Awareness, and Engagement
My overall experience being part of the global medallion program was one that really helped me in gaining cultural competencies.I took the opportunity to educate and involve myself in social issues that impact my surrounding communities. I was challenged to put myself in the shoes of marginalized groups in Miami, in the United States, & across the globe. I was tasked with creating change in communities, and in doing so, I recognized my privilege & learned compassion and how to be a more understanding individual.
This program taught me how social issues are all interrelated and how solutions can only come about when we grasp the root cause of it. One of the most important lessons I learned was analyzing how I can listen more, and be more open minded. I now know that I have the power to impact a community tremendously. I gained friends, and mentors who have helped me with my very own community projects as well as my understanding of these social injustices. This has also allowed me to foster my communication and leadership skills that I know I will use throughout my career. I will take this experience moving forward as it has inspired me to further my career as a Social Worker. As I graduate and leave to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay I will forever remember and cherish all the lessons I learned as a Global Medallion recipient.