Wendy Franco-Mendoza

I will never forget the UVA in Ghent program and remember my global internship fondly. Being abroad working in a program that researches first-generation students and the different efforts made by schools and universities [to support them] brought me closer to my roots because I am a first-generation student. However, I never understood how that changed my perspective at college. Also, I enjoyed connecting with people from other countries because it allowed me to see and understand how differentiated people can be and how our environment shapes us... I also learned other job skills, like how to be organized. I had the opportunity to work in a professional setting, dress up, meet other coworkers, and share my story with those I met.