Memberboating Across the C

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~ First Semester at C ~

THANK YOU! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for giving me a chance to be a part of this wonderful organization! This semester has been one of the most hectic semester I’ve experienced, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world! I had so much fun learning about this wonderful university I am proud to call my home and the people who make this organization feel like family. CHECK OUT CURLZ’S ADVENTURE!!

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Say Yes to Impress (CRC)

My first stop on the “field trip” was to the Career Resource Center, especially since I had no idea of how their programs worked or what they offered apart from resume critiques, mock interviews, and Career Showcase. The ambassadors told us that the CRC has two branches -- career development and employer relations. Within career development, they assist students in finding a major or internship, and they provide other services such as career planning appointments, walk-in resume critiques and mock interviews, and workshops about networking and professionalism. Career planning is the only service that needs an appointment, but other than that, a student is free to walk in anytime between 9am-4pm on weekdays. With any of the walk-in services, you will meet with a CRC ambassador, who are undergraduate students that have gone through full training. However, you can always set up an appointment with a career advisor, who is a full time staff member. Most of these sessions take about 10-20 minutes, and should be scheduled about 2 weeks in advance. As for employer relations, they have information sessions run by employers, as well as they host Career showcase. The two things they really stressed were how important it is to explore the CRC website and to start visiting them early on in your undergraduate career.

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Take Me Traveling

Not only does the International Center serve as the hub for study abroad programs, it serves as the hub for absolutely anything dealing with international students. I was pretty much clueless as to what the International Center did, but I found out that they do so much! They provide services to international students who come to UF to study in the USA, UF students who want to study abroad, and current students and alumni who are thinking about joining the Peace Corps. Within all the programs, they have a finance department and a developmental department that help figure out costs and logistical issues. Most questions on tours are geared toward studying abroad, so we talked to an ambassador who had studied abroad 3 times. She mentioned that there are many programs available for all majors, but that each destination usually focuses on a certain major depending on the region. However, if there is a country you wish to visit that offers a more cultural program, you can simply take online classes to follow up with your major. Most students study abroad during fall/spring/summer semester, but there is also a week long study abroad program during Spring Break. As for financing, the International Center offers a lot of scholarships, and so do certain departments (ex: the Spanish Department scholarships for Spain). The ambassador definitely recommended applying 3-4 months before the program starts, and finding out about how competitive each destination is. 

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Gator 1 Central

My first field trip was to a place that I had passed countless times and is a huge part of my daily life here at UF…the infamous Gator 1 ID. I already knew that Gator 1 IDs could be used for meal plans and bus routes, but I had completely forgotten about the other aspects. I found out that you can link your Wells Fargo account with your Gator 1 and make it into an ATM card. You can also use it for vending machines and laundry machines, which pretty much elimantes the need for cash around campus. One neat thing I learned, is that you can transfer funds between vending, declining balance, and bookstore. If for some reason you use one more than the other, this is a great way to make sure you are not losing money. Also, at Gator 1 Central you can deactivate a lost or stolen card, and you can purchase a new one for $15.

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I Like Tea, but I Love Diversi[tea]

I was paired with Brian Fallace, which was nice since I didn’t really know him before he became my DP. When wetalked about our own diversity and discrimination, he told me he has faced discrimination in the past based on his socioeconomic status. He comes from an upper middleclass family, and was judged for this while attending a high school in a predominantly lower socioeconomic community. Many of his peers hadn’t experienced certain opportunities that he had, and because of this they treated him differently. They judged him because of those opportunities and it ultimately made it harder for him to make friends.

We both decided to attend Pride Awareness Month’s Warrior Fashion Show. Neither of us identify with the LGBTQ community, and we really wanted to immerse ourselves in an event that would allow us to learn more about that identity. This fashion show featured prevalent designers and models within the LGBTQ community, as well as other ally communities. I was surprised to hear it was PAM’s 15th anniversary, since I had thought it had been around for much longer. I absolutely loved hearing the designer’s inspiration behind their fashion line, especially since the central theme among all of them was uniqueness and being unashamed. The best way someone expressed their style, and ultimately their view on the diversity of life, was by explaining the fashion show theme, “Warrior”. They had discovered themself and their passion for fashion while in NYC. Everywhere they looked, they saw people telling their narrative through clothing, and wearing their style as an armor. Eventually, they were inspired to do the same.

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He’s So Cool

To learn more about diversity within UF, we interviewed Storm, a native South African male who moved to Florida this past year. Storm told us he hasdefinitely faced challenges within his social identity as a non-citizen. He expressed to us his fear of getting in trouble and being deported back to South Africa. He also told us his religion is the social identity he least thinks about since about 80% of South Africans are Christians and he feels comfortable with that identity. However, he thinks about his nationality on a daily basis since many people are intrigued to find out he is white while “being African”. It really frustrates him because a lot of Americans generalize that all Africans are the same.

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She’s So Cool

Akemi is an Asian-American female within the LGBTQ community who is very active around campus. She thinks about her religious identity least often since she’s not really involved with anything related to a certain religion. However, she thinks about her identity as an Asian-American and a member of the LGBTQ community most often. Being of Korean descent, her family was very negative towards her bisexuality, and went as far as to call her sick. Yet as soon as she joined oSTEM and PAM, she found people who were fully accepting and understood the discrimation she faced. Through those organizations, she was able to learn more about acceptance across all social identities. She strongly encouraged me to speak up and educate others on the importance of acceptance and respect, especially since most of the hurtful comments are out of ignorance and not malice.

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It Ain’t Free, but it’s Murphree

For my sensory tour stop, I chose stop 5. I have trouble remembering to talk not only about housing, but also about safety andtransportation. When I sat down in the Murphree Area, I noticed a few things that would help. The first was that the commons area for Murphree was right behind me. This will help me expand on the amenities provided, such as RA’s on call every night and laundry in the commons. I also noticed there were a lot of light posts around, which would visually help me remember to talk about certain safety features, like lighting audits. I also saw many bike racks and heard cars along University Ave., which would remind me to mention transportation.

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Five Fun Facts

Buckman and Thomas were 2 original buildings on campus (http://www.housing.ufl.edu/media/about/aboutus.historybookpdf.pdf)

We have living learning community halls (http://www.housing.ufl.edu/undergrad/choices/living-learning-communities/) 

All buildings have A/C now (www.housing.ufl.edu/area/murphree)

Security patrols from 10pm-4am (www.housing.ufl.edu/area/murphree)

Skateboards are allowed as long as used on sidewalk and no tricks allowed (www.police.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/UPD-Safe-Campus-2014_Rev10-15-14.pdf#page-33 )

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Omar-gersh it’s a VP

I chose to meet with Omar, since I didn’t really know much about him and his committees. All I knew was that although this picture was really rad, that mustache was 100% fake. 

 We talked about everything, and I feel like I really got to know him as an individual, and not just another face in Cicerones. I found out that he will be gone in the Fall while interning with GE in Louisville, Kentucky. He is so excited, yet nervous, because he hasn’t had much experience with snow. Apparently, he went to North Caroline this past winter break, and he saw snow and skied for the first time! Omar also mentioned why he chose to be an SAA VP instead of any other VP. He feels that through SAA, he is serving current students, which we often tend to forget about. His committees try to engage students and make them recognize their part in the Gator Nation.  He also encouraged me to not be afraid of responsibility within Cicerones, and that these opportunities only come once. He definitely was the one who encouraged and ultimately persuaded me to apply for Presidential Hosting. His best advice however, is that perseverance is key. He hasn’t gotten everything he’s applied for, but he takes it all as a learning opportunity.

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He’s the man. Apparently he has superpowers that allow him to know when I’m starting to chicken-out on him. 

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M&M Dental Date

I took my mentor, Jhohan, to a Pre-Dental Society meeting. 

My goal of having a future career in dentistry is something that drives every action in my everyday life. It is such a huge part of who I am and what I do, that I really wanted him to experience something dental related with me. That meeting, we had a pre-health advisor come in and talk to us about the upcoming dental school application cycle, and how to prepare for it. When we talked about professionalism, Jhohan mentioned to me a professionalism event that he was putting on that week through an organization he is involved with, Freshman Leadership Council. It was an event that had never been done before, but it was something he felt strongly about and helped initiate! It was so nice to have my mentor know more about what inspires my on the daily, and offer his help to assist me in making my goal a reality.

Also, here’s a pic of baby Jhohan because everyone deserves to see him as not only bae, but a baby (or like 2 yrs old..idk). 

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L, is for the way you look at me

C-Luv you all like I luv food, which is a lot... I absolutely loved going to C-Luv events! I actually was able to attend all Clunch events, except for two! If there aretwo things in life that I absolutely love, it is friends and food, so this was a great way to combine the two. Personally, it was a wonderful way to get to know new and seasoned members in a more casual setting. I was always meeting members whom I hadn’t met before, and they were so friendly. I had quite a few random conversations, but the one that stood out the most was with Nathan DeKray. I had never met him before, but from the instant I sat down he started an engaging conversation about packing lunches and how awkward he was with girls. We even had an interesting conversation about “flatulence”. One thing I learned through C-Lunch, is how genuine everyone in Cicerones is and how they automatically see you as family. There is no such thing as being fake within Cicerones, and I truly appreciate that. Also, I will never forget that my first time at Relish, Chicken Coop, Leonardo’s, and Tijuana Taco Tuesday was with Cicerones! 

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Don’t Forget!

While my time in Cicerones may be shorter than most, I wish to grow as much as I can within the next year. I am so grateful to have wonderful seasoned members who have given me such great advice to grow as as a Cicerone (and in life) throughout the next year.

Adrienne Feinglass: 

Put effort into Cicerones. Always be willing to try something new within the organization, and don’t be afraid to make plans!

If you every feel that there is an issue within Cicerones, speak up. It can only benefit the organization.

Cicerones will not be the same every year. Whenever a new member class arrives, the organization changes, but it changes for the better. Embrace it.

Jessica Alvarez:

Apply to be a committee chair your first year! You won’t regret it. It takes up some of your time, but you get to know members on a deeper level.

Apply to be a spring retreat leader! It help to get to know the new member class better, and your enthusiasm will be one of their first experiences within Cicerones.

There is no way to have a perfect relationship with Cicerones. Sometimes you will be extremely close to the organization and other times you will feel a bit more distant. That’s totally okay. Cicerones will always be there for you.

Amanda Arevalo: 

Say yes. There are a lot of opportunities, and you should take them!

Get to know your new member class. Sit next to someone new at each training.

There is no such thing as a single “good” Cicerone. We are all good Cicerones if we are just present. You don’t have to be there 24/7.

Trevor Mylin:

Don’t be intimidated by Cicerones. You are in for a reason!

Don’t change yourself to be a Cicerone and have a certain “cicerone” personality. 

Don’t wait until last minute for credits. Get the mandatory credits out of the way early on, so you can enjoy the rest of the semester with events/tours.

Cameron Outlaw : 

 Everyone in the organization is interesting. Go on small dates with them.

Be self-aware of who you are and what your talents are. Use those talents within Cicerones and around campus.

Never grow complacent. Life is always teaching you, and you learn through your journey.