Undergraduate / A new program to promote peace in our school -memorable experience... [NEW]

A. Evaluate a significant experience or achievement that has special meaning to you.

I was sitting at the lunch table eating lunch with my best friend when our teacher approached us with a new and interesting project. She had told us that we had been selected to participate in a new program to promote peace in our school; it was called "The peer mediators." We were both very startled at first, given we were not the most outspoken or the people loving kind. I for one was very afraid of even thinking of talking to strangers and was opting for refusing her invitation. After a couple of chats with my teacher she managed to convince me and my friend to give it a shot with the promise we could leave at any time we felt uncomfortable.

The training consisted on conferences about relationships, conflicts and psychology. I was very intrigued in the content of the conferences and their diplomatic approach, but the real learning experience began when the training came to an end and my partner and I had to actually start on the practice with real people on real conflicts. I discovered people's attitudes are the hardest to understand and analyze specially when trying to find a solution were feelings and interests are involved. In our first cases we were not successful at all, many students even decided to leave us for our lack of involvement and overwhelming shyness. Just when I was about to give up a girl came to me seeking peer mediation, I honestly told her I was not very good and that she could find someone else. With her insistence I decided to actually listen. After hearing her out for a while this upset looking girl transformed right before my eyes into an almost real human being which I actually enjoyed talking to, she was real and to the point and I felt the greatest desire to help her. After a couple of talks we almost even became friends. I discovered that for the job it wasn't required for you to be a physiologist but just a good and active listener, something like a friend. It was with this approach that this program awarded me with a recognition diploma in the end.

This experience was of significant importance to me for it opened up my interest in conflicts, their resolutions and people. Most of all it helped me to overcome my shyness and made me discover what would later become the major I want to pursue in college. The program might have been intended to impact others lives, but I guess the most impacted was me.

Undergraduate / U of Miami Getting Started on inspiration [2]

C. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describes that influence.

Among the many incredible people I have met, my friend Elizabeth is one whom I have come to admire the most. Although she is just seven years older than I she possesses an incredible wisdom of life. Besides being my youth group teacher she is also a very close friend to me, the kind that will never let you fall behind or tell you what you want to hear. I will never forget a time when my parents and I were going through a very difficult time; given the new and sudden decisions I was making regarding my future education, and although I respect and admire them both very much I was very angry and disappointed in them for not supporting me in one of my new grown up decisions. All my friends were there giving me advice and support, but it wasn't until I heard my friend Elizabeth say "There will be no one that could ever have your best interest at heat than your own parents," that I realized, she was right. She had in a few words shown me in love what I was blind to acknowledge. She had shown me that with a few acts of kindness and an open heart I could better understand my parent's motives and analyze my situation better. Indeed putting this attitude into practice, allowed me to restore my family relationship and resolve the matter. Her influence changed my perspective on how I approach my problems and has made me grow as a person. It is with her untouchable example that I find inspiration on how I want to be when I am her age, a professional woman who lives out an impeccable Christian life and who is a big influence on those around her, someone who stands up for what she believes in and is fearless towards the unknown. I find her influence strong on me being I can see my history reflected in her, she has also had to face the challenge of starting new in a different country and fight for her dreams. I believe her attitude towards life is what is most influencing on me for she teaches both with words and actions that life is all about the attitude and the passion you live it with, that is not only what you achieve, but what you do with what you accomplish.

Undergraduate / Encounter with myself; Florida State University - "Vires, Artes, Mores" [NEW]

For almost one hundred years, the Latin words, "Vires, Artes, Mores" have been the guiding philosophy behind Florida State University. Vires signifies strength of all kinds - moral, physical, and intellectual; Artes alludes to the beauty of intellectual pursuits as exemplified in skill, craft, or art; and Mores refers to character, custom, or tradition. Describe how one or more of the values embodied in these concepts are reflected in your life.

In the beginning I would just stare at the majestic whiteness of the ice that seemed to call me to try it, but that I felt so afraid of. It would take me a few trips to the rink with my elementary school class to actually try it and when I eventually did what I had feared for actually occurred, I fell down. Lying on that ice while everyone seemed like a pro made me realize that no skill or talent can ever be developed or discovered by just staring at it. After getting up and standing there for a few minutes, I became eager to move and when I did and felt the cold breeze on my checks I totally forgot how much the fall had hurt and continued practicing until I could master it.

"Mores" to me is the most important of the three values, having a strong character is what will guide me to also posses the strength to pursue anything. I have exemplified and grown in this concept ever since I was nine and had to leave my native country to start fresh on a new one. I had to find the moral strength in me and the one given from my parents to overcome such a crucial change in my life without it overwhelming me. I was very blessed because all those times I could not do something that was new for me I always pushed myself in a positive way to learn it and develop it.

This was the way I developed both my Mores and Vires in the form of character and strength who like learning to ice skate, helped me build up on my knowledge inside and outside the classroom. It became a way in which I developed a necessity to explore the unknown creating in me a love for variety and people which has driven me to pursue my vocation. I have learned to push myself to perform against odds throughout dedication and hard work. Ranging from having to learn a new language to learning math and do it successfully. It is how now I translate simultaneously to Jacksonville's 92.5 FM every Sunday at 11:45 when I was just starting to master the language a few years back.

Having lived in three countries and possessing a strongly driven life based on my Christian faith as well as on my persistence in pursuing a career in international affairs, I find the University's motto already impregnated in my life.