Capstone Experience
 

Finding Home Away From Home

Serving as a Millennium Fellow and Campus Director during the Fall 2023 semester was one of the most transformative experiences of my undergraduate career. Being selected as a fellow from FIU, and later entrusted with the responsibility of leading our campus cohort, pushed me to grow not only as a student, but as a leader and a global citizen.

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The Millennium Fellowship, a partnership between the United Nations Academic Impact and the Millennium Campus Network, challenges students around the world to implement a project aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I directed and implemented a project titled “Finding Home Away from Home,” which aimed to support immigrant families—particularly first-generation students and their parents—in navigating the complexities of resettlement and integration. We created educational tools, hosted events, and shared stories that amplified the voices of people too often unheard. Our goal was to make their transition feel less isolating and more hopeful, while also building greater community understanding around their challenges.

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Being a Campus Director meant more than coordinating meetings and tracking progress. It meant creating a space where my peers could thrive, feel heard, and build real connections with each other and their communities. I had to learn quickly how to manage conflict, motivate others, and adapt our goals when faced with logistical setbacks or time constraints. I discovered the importance of flexibility, empathy, and leading by example—skills that aren’t always taught in a classroom, but are essential in public service and diplomacy.

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At times, the weight of leadership was daunting. There were moments when I doubted myself, wondering if we were doing enough or making a real difference. But each time I heard someone share how our project made them feel seen, or witnessed the passion of my peers pushing their own initiatives forward, I was reminded of our impact. I learned that success doesn’t always come in numbers—it comes in stories, in moments of connection, and in the courage to keep showing up.

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Reflecting on this experience, I walk away with more than a certificate or title. I walk away with a renewed commitment to community-building, and the belief that local action truly contributes to global change. I’m proud of the work we did, and I’m even more excited for the future leaders our cohort is becoming. We came together with a shared purpose—and we left with a shared vision: that a more inclusive, compassionate world is not only possible, but already in progress.