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Why USF?...
Around three years ago, I moved from Albania to Florida with a big
dream: to get an excellent education and become a well rounded person
and medical doctor. Before attending USF, I visited the campus several
times and had the opportunity to interact with students, faculty, and
staff who are very friendly and helpful. The great Pre-Med Program, the
unique Honors College, transfer and academic scholarships, and the
Undergraduate Research program in USF made me realize that USF offers me
unlimited opportunities to succeed academically and accomplish my
biggest dream. |
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First Day...
"Gigantic campus, beautiful and relaxing landscape, friendly staff,
unlimited opportunities …", these were my first thoughts when I visited
the campus for the first time. I thought it would be overwhelming and maybe a little too much for
me to handle, but I quickly caught on. |
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Student activities ...
Watching young children begging in the streets of Albania for the
daily bread, I made a commitment to help young children and
students in developing countries get an education. In the fall
semester of 2006, I organized and collected used textbooks for Africa
through Better World Books to fight illiteracy. I
strongly believe that literacy and education will help people to get out
of the circle of poverty and protect themselves from different diseases, especially HIV. I am involved with Honors College which has helped
me to learn and share leadership skills. Through different activities, I
learned to work in a team and grew individually.
Also, I am a member of Premed-AMSA National Organization. In the coming
semester, I plan to get involved with the
USF Volunteer Office, Golden
Key International Society, and Student Government.
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Activities ...
During my free time, I enjoy reading literature and poetry in the
shades of the palms in Terrell Sessums Mall and the beautiful landscape
of the campus. My favorite writers are Fan S. Noli, Albert Camus, Franz
Kafka, and Emily Dickinson. Another favorite place is the Contemporary
Art Museum which is like a visual library that invites the viewer to
explore international cultures, creativity and ideas. Recreation center
is the best for indoor and outdoor activities. I enjoy playing
basketball. Sometimes, I like to listen to the music in Marshall Center,
Underground. When I am off campus, I go to Clearwater Beach which is
only 10 minutes away from my home. |
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Professors ...
Professors at USF are very professional, dedicated, and passionate
about teaching. Their hard work inspires students to learn and succeed
academically. My favorite professor is
Dr. Johnny El-Rady. His unique method of teaching and enthusiasm
about Genetics made all 380 students in the class pay close attention
and learn the material. Dr. El – Rady uses clickers in the classroom
which enables him to take the attendance for 380 students and quiz the
material in just a couple of seconds. The amazing thing is that no one
is sleeping or chatting in the auditorium. Everyone is learning and
clicking. The use of clickers is very efficient and productive in a
large class, and there is also time for questions and answers. I also
loved the Honors class, Ethics in Biomedical Sciences, with Dr. David P
Schenck. Through discussions in the classroom, which were always
interesting, I gained a new perspective about bioethical issues. |
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Research ...
In the beginning of summer 2007, I started to do undergraduate
research in the Neuroimmunology Lab, in the
Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Medicine, on the HIV Dementia. I love to do research because
it is an excellent way to apply my knowledge, and
discover new ways to help people in the community and around the world.
My mentors who are very enthusiastic and dedicated professionals
encourage me to develop critical thinking and independent work in the
research area. |
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Multiculturalism ...
At USF, I have met people from places that I never thought I would
ever meet in my life. USF friends from China, India, Pakistan, Africa,
and other places have taught me to be open-minded and respect a culture
that is completely different from mine. Mutual respect creates an
atmosphere of harmony and peace between students with different cultures
on campus. |
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Global ...
USF has had a great impact and has prepared me in many different ways
to think globally:
As an Honors College student, I have had the opportunity to meet very successful
people, who are making a difference in their community and in the world, in the
Honors College's “An evening with…” In “An evening with
Patel Center for Global
Solutions”, some of the challenges that developing countries face today were
identified by students who come from those countries. Hearing from the
perspective of students from different cultures made a great impact on me and I
realized how important it is to improve the lives of people in the developing
countries. In my Spanish class with Dr. Carlos Cano, I learned about culture,
traditions and issues in the Hispanic countries. In the diverse world that is
emerging today, it is very important to learn about other cultures and respect
them. Also, I had the opportunity to represent USF in the International Scholar
Laureate Program Delegation on Medicine in Australia. It was a unique and
enriching cultural experience. I gained a global perspective about Health Care
System and compared and contrasted medicine in USA with medicine in Australia. |
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