Global Competency Experience

Spanish – Additional Language

Being born in Caracas, Venezuela, my mother tongue is Latin American Spanish. This language has not only enabled me to talk to a diverse and different culture, but also to remain attached to my native community and family. Here in Kamloops, I have been heavily involved in the local Latin community “Latinos en Kamloops”. I frequent different events such as cultural dancing nights and celebrations where we speak our common language. 

English – Additional Language

When I moved to Canada from Venezuela, I was immersed into the sea of English that was Vancouver, BC. With little to no English-speaking ability, I was forced to learn the language rapidly to be able to learn at school and communicate with those around me. By learning English as a Second Language, I have been able to complete my high school Dogwood Diploma and post-secondary Bachelor of Science degree. 

French – Additional Language

When arriving to Kamloops, I was placed in a French immersion elementary school. At this point, I had not fully embraced the English language, but I was forced to perfect and be fluent in both the English and French languages. To exemplify my fluency, I was awarded a Double Dogwood Diploma and DELF B1 and B2 proficiency. The DELF proficiency resulted in TRU PLAR recognizing my fluency and awarding me upper-level FRAN credits. In combination with Spanish, I have used French to translate for patients in the local Emergency department and ensure people feel safe and cared for. 

Colombia Trip – International Experience

In July 2021, I had the opportunity to travel to Colombia to reunite with my maternal family. In Colombia, I visited multiple cities and villages including Bogota, Medellin, and El Santuario. Eating cultural food, such as Bandeja Paisa and Arepas, created for a rich experience as Latin cuisine is not only about the taste, but also the experience. That first Bandeja Paisa upon arrival was hastily followed by more delicious meals. In the bigger cities, I was able to delve into my cultural roots by exploring museums and art centers and meeting estranged family members. The hike in Monserrate was amazing and the wind hitting my face at the high elevation grounded me of where I was and what I was lucky to have. I plan to return to Colombia in May 2025 following the end of the semester.

Europe Trip – International Experience

In June 2024, I explored Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Arriving in Barcelona, I met up with 7 fellow Kamloopsians, where we consumed litres of authentic Sangria Española and explored the city’s beaches, streets, and architecture. I then flew to Naples where I ate delicious street pizza and pasta. By ferry, we traveled to the Amalfi coast where we spent the day and took an overnight bus to Rome. In Rome, I was sick. This sickness was easily suppressed by the beauty of the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain. We then flex to Porto where we spent a day walking around the downtown area. After hopping on a bus, we travelled to the outskirts of Lisbon where I learned to surf (more like attempted) and got over my illness through lots of sleep. Ending the trip off, I explored the famous rooftop terraces of Madrid and toured the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Overall, I met so many new people in these weeks and have continued to stay in touch with many.

Argentina and Uruguay Trip – International Experience

In August 2023, I flew down to visit a maternal aunt and meet my youngest cousins in Argentina. There I strolled with them through the Recoleta neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. I visited various attractions like Plaza de las Naciones Unidas, San Telmo Market, and Plaza de Mayo. Learning about the history of Argentina while eating Empanadas and drinking Imperial was exciting and captivating. Seeing my family developing their roots in a different country and meeting my newborn cousin was joyful. I was able to work out and run in a new city and enjoy walks carrying my newborn cousin. To further expand on my experience, my family and I explored Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. We ferried from Buenos Aires directly to Uruguay and spent a gusty and cloudy day enjoying hot drinks. 

United States of America Trip – International Experience

At the beginning of May 2024, I took a flight to New Orleans where I was greeted by my aunt and cousins. I went from a mild 20ºC to a dangerous 35ºC where the AC couldn’t even get close to keeping up. My Uber driver to my uncle’s place was a local that was telling me all about the infamous NOLA downtown with a focus on Bourbon St. Arriving to Houma, I was running by crisped up alligator carcasses on the sides of the road while feeling all the sweat bead off my skin. One long road trip later, my family and I arrived at the white sand beaches of Destin, Florida. Here, I was able to swim in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean for the first time in years. After some BBQing and lots of sunscreen, I was able to concretely say that I had a great time at the beach town. On the way back home, I made a quick detour to Miami, Florida where I met a diverse group of people that I had the pleasure of chatting with as I rested on a makeshift airport bed using my luggage. 

Supplemental Learning – Employment Activity

Through my role as a Supplemental Learning Leader, I worked to make sessions accessible and welcoming to all. With diverse groups of students attending my sessions, it was important to acknowledge different views and strategies on learning. Through this diversity, we were able to merge different views on classroom material to better understand complex ideas and benefit everyone attending the sessions. 

KIS Volunteer – Volunteer Activity 

By volunteering at the Kamloops Immigrant Services for Summer of 2023, I was able to interact with and educate about 30 children all from recently immigrated families. This week-long experience allowed me to give back to a group that I personally felt a part of. I even continued volunteering with them and serving as a camp volunteer for the rest of the summer. As a first-generation immigrant, I was estranged from my family, religion, and culture as I was growing up. Through community programs and educational experiences, I was able to gain an understanding and sense of belonging for the Canadian culture. Therefore, I aimed to provide what I once needed to these children who were freshly lost and felt isolated from their culture. 

Emergency Department Volunteer – Volunteer Activity

As a multilingual individual, I have had the privilege to widen my intercultural communication and emotional intelligence through hundreds of volunteer hours in the Royal Inland Hospital Emergency Department. Here, I always ensured people entering the ED felt welcomed and heard by offering my assistance or directions while greeting them with a warm smile. In the ED, there are a lot of vulnerable populations facing barriers in accessing primary care, immigrants included. I have dealt firsthand with newcomers to these lands that have little to no English-speaking ability. While this was greatly troubling and distressing for them, I was able to translate and carefully navigate the situation. There have been instances where I’ve provided full translation and liaison with clerks, nurses, physicians, and technologists to ensure patients understand what is going on and can be as informed as possible.