By: Sofia Hinestrosa
As a Global Scholar, I see myself as someone who is not only learning about the world, but actively engaging with it and trying to understand people’s experiences from different perspectives. To me, global scholarship means going beyond the classroom and using real-world interactions to better understand issues that affect people across cultures. This summer, I plan to carry out these values through my experience in Seville, Spain, where I will be studying and conducting research for my Capstone project.
For my Community-Based Inquiry (CBI), I am exploring how access to healthcare differs between Seville and Tallahassee, Florida, and how these differences impact individuals’ well-being and sense of identity. I chose this topic because I am interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, and I have always been curious about how systems, culture, and environment shape people’s access to care. Growing up in a bilingual environment and being exposed to different communities has made me more aware of how experiences can vary based on where you live and the resources available to you.
To approach this research, I plan to use a combination of interviews, observations, and comparisons between the two locations. In Seville, I hope to engage with students, families, and community members to understand their perspectives on healthcare access, while also observing how the healthcare system operates in a different cultural setting. I will compare these findings to experiences in Tallahassee to identify both similarities and differences. Through this, I expect to gain a deeper understanding of how healthcare access is influenced not only by systems, but also by cultural attitudes and social structures. Ultimately, I hope this research will highlight the importance of equitable healthcare and bring attention to how different communities experience care.
During my time in Seville, I am most looking forward to immersing myself in a new culture and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I am excited to meet new people, experience daily life in a different country, and see how healthcare is approached from a global perspective. At the same time, I am a little apprehensive about adjusting to a new environment, especially navigating language differences and unfamiliar systems, but I see this as an opportunity for growth.
To engage with my host community, I plan to be open-minded, respectful, and actively involved in my surroundings. I want to build genuine connections with people and learn from their experiences while also sharing my own background and perspectives. Coming from a bilingual household, I hope to use language as a way to connect with others and bridge cultural differences. I believe that meaningful engagement comes from both listening and contributing, and I am excited to learn as much as possible from this experience.
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