Students from Florida International University (FIU), Miami Dade College, and Broward College gathered on October 24 at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus for the “Civic Engagement with Global Reach Student Summit.” The event, organized by FIU Global, aimed to connect students with international opportunities, scholarships, alumni, and global employers to foster civic engagement and encourage cross-border collaboration.
Panel sessions during the summit featured representatives from organizations such as the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Millennium Campus Network, Helios Education Foundation, the Fund for Education Abroad, and the German Academic Exchange Service. Students learned about scholarships supporting study abroad programs and ways to collaborate globally through various organizations.
Birgitta “Gitta” Rausch-Montoto, director of FIU Global and Fulbright Program campus liaison, said: “Global learning experiences at home and abroad can be lifechanging, especially for students about to start their careers. There are endless opportunities for students to engage with their global communities…fellowships at home, international exchange, study abroad programs, work on international research projects and internships and more. This summit was designed for students to learn about these opportunities and to remind them that they are the next generation of global leaders to shape our interconnected society and economy.”
Student leaders discussed their involvement in local and global initiatives like research collaborations, the Millennium Fellowship, Peace Corps Prep, and FIU’s Global Learning Medallion program. Agustina Garibotti, a political science and international relations major who participated as a panelist, stated: “It was great to participate in the summit and hear how other young leaders are driving change in our community. I believe that by highlighting student voices, we are giving a space for genuine engagement, where everyone can learn from one another.”
The summit included practical advice on overcoming challenges such as imposter syndrome when applying for competitive scholarships like those offered by the U.S. Fulbright Program. Raquel Monge, an international relations student who attended the event, said: “The highlight for me was getting to hear from people that were either in the same boat as me [as a college student], or people who were way past that. I really enjoyed getting advice from them on how to get active on campus and not be afraid to put yourself out there.”
Cultural activities hosted by student groups—including presentations by the Vietnamese Student Association and Latin American Dance Club—provided opportunities for participants to share traditions and foster intercultural understanding. Isabella Bello of the Venezuelan Student Association commented: “I hope [students] walk away with enrichment about a new culture.”
Panelist Justin Jean-Baptiste reflected on his experience: “This is going to inspire me to apply for not only the Peace Corps, but for Fulbright, for Boren, for the Critical Language Scholarship, for any opportunity that I can find to make a difference internationally.”
The summit also served as a lead-in event to the Fulbright Association Conference held at FIU that weekend. The conference brought more than 400 Fulbright scholars and experts in international education together on campus.
