By: Victoria De Jorio-Koegler
My name is Victoria De Jorio-Koegler and I am a Global Scholar. To me, being a Global Scholar means pursuing research internationally in hopes of deeper, enriched understanding of other cultures and how the shapes international perception. Through my participation in the Global Scholars Program, however, I have learned to view the concept from a broader perspective. To be a Global Scholar means being aware of the connections among individuals, nations, and societies and approaching education from a perspective that extends beyond scholarly text.
The program’s design mirrors this principle. In contrast to conventional programs, the Global Scholars Program does not require nor guide a specific learning process but instead gives young research’s the freedom to explore their own passions through methodology that suits their interests. Under mentorship, peer support, and scholarly engagement, participants are motivated to design a learning process that suits them while also engaging with the broader worldwide discourse on education. This summer, I will travel to Paris, France, and participate in the Intensive French Program with Florida State University’s International Program. One of the things I am most excited about is engaging in a new environment and learning more about how global problems manifest in a particular setting. On the other hand, I cannot help feeling apprehension at the thought of engaging in such an experience, since it implies that I will have to face the challenges of an unfamiliar culture and establish social relations anew. Especially seeing as though I will be interacting with professionals specialized in French literature, fully communicating and learning through the French language. Regardless of the challenges I may face, I am excited to see the way that uncertainty can be beneficial to the research process, and how this may extend my academic interpretation and prerogative. The subject of my CBI is an exploration of Troubadour Poetry as it shapes gender roles through pity, which I have chosen to pursue to understand how women were affected by their marginalization and how this continues to shape contemporary perceptions in France. I hope to make a connection between some of the theoretical aspects from my research project last year where I participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. I seek to conduct research, reflect, and engage in hands-on learning through both scholarly research and personal experiences. In doing so, I hope to contribute to the discussion of medieval literature and its historical formation, shedding light on the global processes that affect local communities.
I want to take the opportunity to move beyond being an inquisitive tourist and engage with others, gain research from routine interactions, and actively contribute to a scholarly discussion. As with the notion of global learning itself, I think it is important to acknowledge that cross-cultural exchange is a two-way process. In turn, I would like to use this experience to share some of my culture and values in an authentic, open-minded way. This feeling stems from optimism about the future as well as trepidation in the face of new challenges.
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