Skills
Resilience
My lifelong struggle with chronic illness has fostered great determination and resilience in me. I have learned how to balance my symptoms with my responsibilities and aspirations, realizing the importance of taking care of myself. Accepting my condition has been difficult, but has made me a more empathetic and considerate person, one that is cognizant of other peoples’ invisible struggles.. I have learned how to bounce back from unforeseen health obstacles and have given myself grace when experiencing these hardships, which ultimately leads to me feeling capable of tackling my goals. My health has also taught me the importance of being your own advocate, communicating your needs, and maintaining open communication.
Leadership
I strongly believe that a good leader is first and foremost a good listener. Leaders need to listen to the members of their group to make decisions that best align with their collective goals. I have held various leadership positions throughout my academic career, in high school as well as in university. As a leader in various different types of organizations, (academic, professional, cultural, and musical) I have learned how to adapt my leadership style to different contexts. Being president of the UF Psychology Club and Psi Chi International Psychology Honor Society, Secretary and Historian of the Italian Student Association, and a CLAS mentor, has taught me how to effectively communicate and delegate tasks while also fostering close meaningful relationships with my peers.
Collaboration
As an involved member of th university community, I often find myself in group settings. I value my ability to be collaborative and open-minded when it comes to working with others. I am grateful for the multiple group projects I have participated in and look forward to being involved in more in the future. The diverse perspectives of my peers always prove extremely enriching for our work. Being a team player and a respectful collaborator has helped immensely in my academic and professional career. The most meaningful projects have always been the result of collaboration, especially when the collaborators vary in their experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
Critical Thinking
As a student of both the sciences and humanities, I am able to critically think and analyze various types of information. I am passionate about interdisciplinary study and feel it has been central to my undergraduate career. Expanding my intellect in various fields has been instrumental for cultivating my research interests and goals. My courses have sharpened my sensitivity and analytical acuity, fostering independence and self-thought.