Reflections on New Experiences

Recently, as part of their Online Professional and Academic Learning Course (OPAL), Global UGRAD students participated in a local initiative or event surrounding inclusivity and belonging. Three students shared their reflections on new experiences, featured below.

Daniela Plamadeala | Moldova | University of North Carolina – Wilmington

Daniela (right) with performers at the Cape Fear Latino Festival

“I recently had the opportunity to volunteer at the Cape Fear Latino Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina. It was a deeply rewarding experience and I contributed to celebrating and supporting the Latino community in the area.

This event brought together individuals from different backgrounds, providing a platform for cultural expression and exchange. Support from the university in promoting this event reflects how DEIA is prioritized within our campus and the broader Wilmington community. The festival created an inclusive environment where the richness of Latino culture could be celebrated and appreciated by everyone, regardless of their background.

One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of events like this in fostering cultural understanding and unity. I learned how community-driven initiatives serve as powerful tools for breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive spaces. It was also a reminder of how essential it is for minority groups to have opportunities to showcase their heritage and traditions.

As a student and emerging professional, this experience reinforced my commitment to engaging with diverse communities. It highlighted the importance of inclusive practices, something I aim to incorporate in both my academic journey and future career. By continuing to seek out opportunities like this, I can build my cultural competence and contribute to creating environments where everyone feels valued and represented.”

Sikeli Naketeca | Fiji | Minnesota State University – Mankato

“As a queer exchange student from Fiji, a small island nation in the South Pacific, I was thrilled when Minnesota State University’s LGBTQIA+ Center recently hosted the semester’s first drag show. Drag is something I had only seen on social media, and the idea of experiencing such a performance in person filled me with excitement. Not only was this my first time attending a drag show, but it also marked a personal moment of connecting with a community far from home.

Sikeli (center) at the MSU Mankato drag show

Coming from Fiji, where discussions around gender expression and identity are often limited, witnessing this celebration of diversity was profound for me. In my home country, such events would likely be rare, if not controversial, as conversations around LGBTQIA+ identities are still evolving. However, here I was, in a space that not only embraced but uplifted these identities. It was refreshing to see the university, through its LGBTQIA+ center, create an inclusive environment where students from different backgrounds and experiences could come together and express themselves freely.

The most significant takeaway from the drag show, for me, was the importance of acceptance. The performers, no matter their gender or background, brought their unique flair to the stage, showing that drag is for everyone. This challenged the notion that only certain people can perform in drag or that you must fit a particular mold to belong in queer spaces. Drag is an art form that transcends labels and backgrounds, and this event proved that.”

Nino Kikvadze | Georgia | Southeast Missouri State University

Nino’s photo of a booth at the LGBTQ Ally Picnic

“I want to share my experience attending an LGBTQ+ Ally Picnic at Southeast Missouri State University. This picnic is held by the university’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center annually to celebrate and highlight the importance of allyship. It was a really interesting and fun experience, and I had the chance to talk to the organizers, other students, and even the university’s president.”