Gianna Calderon
<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Ciao
<i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> University of Iowa
<i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2024
<i>Destination city & country:</i> Reggio Emilia, Italy
<i>Program provider:</i> USAC
<i>Major/minor:</i> Nursing
<i>Demographics:</i> Hispanic/Latinx, Caucasian/White
<i>Future career aspirations:</i> Within my future career in nursing, I plan to stay motivated and determined to do my best. I would like to maintain positive communication with my patients while remaining culturally competent and aware of their personal traditions. Additionally, I plan to improve patient care and encourage others to chase their dreams. I want to be able to showcase that it is possible as a first-generation minority student to attend college, obtain a degree, and study abroad. I will provide words of encouragement and a safe space for every person I encounter.
<i>Top 3 goals for your time abroad:</i> While I am studying abroad in Italy, I want to assimilate into their culture. This will allow me to learn new cues and nonverbal methods of communication in an unfamiliar cultural context. The aspect of improving my language skills is important for campus life and my future career because I will be able to curate the skills needed to communicate with people of different cultural backgrounds. I will further my ability to become more culturally competent, and I will experience appreciation for a new culture and way of life. Also, I want to be able to learn a new language, which will be Italian. This will aid in my memory function and enhance my educational experience. Lastly, I would like the opportunity to become more independent by traveling on my own. I will be able to gain leadership skills that will help me transition from being a teenager to a real adult.
