It is a sunny day with a pleasant breeze as I walk on the Quad. Squirrels scamper, and I see talkative, smiling students of various ages, genders, races, and cultures. As I approach Fell Hall, the sun shines above the roof, and beautiful white flowers bloom by the stairs. Upon entering this historical building, a young lady holds the door for me and gratitude spreads through my heart. I feel prepared and eager to start another day with insightful scholars, joyful, and communicative individuals within the School of Communication.
This has been a typical day in my life since I first arrived on the campus of Illinois State University.
As an international student, I knew coming in that some things would likely be more difficult for me than the traditional native student. I come from a humble upbringing. Back home in Brazil, I regularly commuted to my university using public transportation. On a good day, that commute took over three hours. My homemade meals would spoil because of my long days, and I often struggled to afford the required textbooks for my English and Portuguese degrees.
I pushed through though and upon completing my bachelor’s degree, I relocated to the United States in 2019, utilizing the Au Pair exchange program. While this experience was rewarding and afforded me the opportunity to reside in the United States, I made the decision to further my education.
In 2022, I received my acceptance letter to join the graduate program in the School of Communication. But fear instilled in my heart as I held that letter in my hands. With this new journey, I would be pursuing a master’s degree in my second language—and that held its own set of challenges. From reading and fully comprehending complex academic language and collaborating with professors from different cultures, to writing scholarly papers and navigating part-time work, I quickly felt overwhelmed by my decision. Not to mention, my home and support system existed thousands of miles away.
Despite these fears, I accepted the opportunity. Little did I know, I would quickly find my home away from home in Fell Hall.
I remember the 6-year-old me, determined to change the world. My aspiration was to become a teacher, and as I grew, I realized I could also achieve that goal through communication. In fact, one of the primary reasons I selected Illinois State was for its commitment to excellence in education. I was confident that the School of Communication would provide me with opportunities to practice excellence in teaching and enhance my professional skills.
I have not been disappointed. I am involved in a variety of activities within the School of Communication. Outside of serving as a graduate teaching assistant for the course COM 110: Communication as Critical Inquiry, I am also an executive board member of two registered student organizations (RSOs).
I serve as the social media and events chair in the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and hold the role of director of the student-run Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Through these roles, I improve my leadership skills and assist others in improving theirs.
I have also significantly improved my social media presence and professional experiences in the field through those opportunities. In fact, in less than a year, I grew my personal Instagram audience by 150% teaching ESL and talking about life abroad to a foreign audience.
In October 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) international conference (ICON) in Nashville, Tennessee. At this event, I connected with communication representatives from Amazon, Citi, Disney, Special Olympics, and many others. It was a unique and unforgettable experience, and one I could never have imagined as a 6-year-old girl in Brazil.
In addition to my involvement with the GSA and PRSSA, I also engage in substantive research in the field of communication under the guidance of my professors.
The School of Communication’s graduate experience is a renowned program known for fostering a dialogical, insightful, and safe space for all students. Its distinguished professors, advisors, and directors thrive by bringing together a community that makes me feel encouraged to be a better person and professional every day. My classes allow me to see applied uses of theories and provide me with several opportunities for leadership. I feel valued and heard by my professors, who consistently provide the resources I need as a scholar and professional.
I am confident that after the two years of my graduate program, I will have acquired the necessary skills to be an excellent communication professional and instructor. I intend to work in the public relations industry, designing and promoting resources for organizations and brands that have an international presence. I also have hopes to continue to teach in the field of communication.
On the campus of Illinois State, I am constantly immersed in a diverse community that provides me with tools and resources to thrive professionally, academically, and personally.
Without question, my favorite part of being a student and scholar at this institution, is the positive attitude and supportive environment I experience in the School of Communication. Here, I see diverse faces and cultures represented every day. Not to mention, the approachable and strongly qualified professors, staff, and alumni. The School of Communication makes it easy for me to envision a successful future.
I often have to remind myself that my accent carries a rich history, my eyes perceive things from a different perspective, and my mind carries powerful insights. All of which are fostered and cultivated on this inspiring and academically challenging campus.
Go Redbirds!
