Freshman Gabriela Trueba, who recently began her studies at Florida International University (FIU), credits two high school mission trips to the Dominican Republic with shaping her perspective on service and gratitude. The trips were organized by Blue Missions, a non-profit co-founded by FIU alumnus Daniel Rodriguez. The organization focuses on bringing clean water access to communities across Latin America.
Trueba spent a total of 14 days volunteering in rural areas, helping connect a community to running water and building a bathroom facility. Her responsibilities included hiking up mountains, digging trenches, laying pipe for the water system, and installing faucets.
“It was a workout trekking up that mountain,” Trueba recalls. “But it was worth every moment. Once we’re all done, they turn the faucet on, and the water spouts out and the children are celebrating, and you see them come get water.”
She also shared how one young boy’s gesture stood out during her time there. “There was this little boy who just stayed with us during the entire time we were there working,” she says. “The last day, he brought us gifts of snacks and violetas (violet-scented perfume). We didn’t want to take anything away from him, we gave him the gifts back. But just seeing how grateful he was for us helping him out, it was so beautiful.”
Reflecting on these experiences, Trueba said: “The whole experience helped me realize that I’m blessed with so much. It taught me to give back. It warmed my heart and opened my heart.”
Now majoring in hospitality management at FIU, Trueba is part of a family with strong ties to the university; both her parents and sisters are alumni while her brother is currently pursuing graduate studies at FIU.
“FIU was always in the back of my mind,” Trueba says of her college choice.
Her decision was influenced after touring campus with Elizabeth Béjar—Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer—whose daughter is Trueba’s best friend. Following the visit, she decided FIU would be her next step in education: “I loved it,” Trueba says. “The campus is so beautiful. Students can work on campus, too, which gives us good opportunities to get experience and still be here at FIU for our classes.”
As part of her degree requirements in hospitality management at FIU—a program designed to prepare students through industry work experience—Trueba looks forward to gaining practical skills before graduation.
“It’s so important to get real-world experience,” she says. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Beyond academics and professional ambitions—which include an interest in beverage management—Trueba hopes to stay involved in service projects as she begins university life.
“I would love to get involved in service at FIU,” she says. “The philanthropy side of sorority life really speaks to me. I’m excited for recruitment.”
Her family has a tradition of Greek life involvement; her father helped establish a fraternity on campus while both sisters were active members of sororities.
“I’m stepping into big shoes,” she says. “My family loves FIU. It’s going to be great to have that shared experience of being Panthers with everyone in my family.”
