For the first time, the Chaplin School welcomed an exchange student from the Universidad Católica Boliviana in La Paz, Bolivia. Alejandra Rúa Apaza traveled to the U.S. for the first time to take hospitality classes at the Chaplin School for the Spring 2014 semester. As a senior, she wanted an academic experience that was different from what she was used to at home. As an aspiring tourism management professional, she wanted to spend her time abroad learning in a city where travel and tourism define the local business landscape.
Why did you want to participate in an international exchange program?
It was very important for me to participate in the international exchange program because I wanted to improve my knowledge, learn from different cultures and diverse points of view, and improve my English language skills.
How is studying at FIU in Miami different from studying at your school in Bolivia?
College life in Miami does not have a comparison. Being at FIU has given me the opportunity to expand my horizons and enhance my knowledge of the tourism industry, which, in my opinion is the window to the world for each country. Though it is time for me to return, I am carrying with me the best memories of my life.
How did being away from home for the first time affect you?
The U.S. is a completely different environment from La Paz. Spring 2014 was my first time studying in English, living away from my family, and living on a college campus. I thought I was going to get home sick, however, I was doing so much! I can’t remember one day where I didn’t have one or more activities going on such as seminars, dinners, SOBE fest, or meetings with student clubs. I was the treasurer of the Travel and Tourism Club. I did miss my family, but I never felt alone here. On my birthday or when I was having a moment, my new friends were with me all the time.
Were you able to make friends at FIU?
As an exchange student, I had to live on campus. College life in U.S. is amazing. There are many activities, facilities, and opportunities to meet and share with people from different cultures. I lived in University Towers on the main campus and commuted to take classes on the Biscayne Bay Campus.
I made a lot of friends who I will miss a lot. I met friends from other international exchange programs who shared similar backgrounds when it came to family. Since we all lived on campus, I used to see them everyday, and we got along very well. My best friends are from Canada, Spain, England, Japan, and France. We traveled a lot in Florida and we are still in contact and Skype everyday. It’s a friendship we built in four months living together, going through good and bad moments, but always supporting each other. Even now, I am traveling with some of them around U.S. for summer break. I also made friends from the U.S. whom I met in class, student clubs, service activities, or at parties. They were so kind to me and helped me whenever they could as they knew it was my first experience studying in U.S.
Which faculty or staff member would you consider a mentor during your time at the Chaplin School?
My mentor was Professor Nancy Del Risco. I have learned so much from her that now I know what I want to do in my career. She is an example to follow both in the professional field and as a person and friend. I will always be grateful to her.
Besides FIU’s relationship with your home school, what other qualities made Miami an option for you?
First, I chose Miami because the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is recognized as one of the best tourism schools in the U.S. As a good student in my home university I was sure I could challenge myself to study at such an institution, in English. Also, Miami is a hot spot in tourism. People from all over the world come here. The tourism infrastructure is well developed and the services are premium. Plus, who wouldn’t want to spend one semester in Miami near the beach, hot weather, and all the activities the city offers? It is a dream.
Do you intend to return to the U.S. or FIU to continue your studies in the future?
I learned a lot here and I’d love to return to pursue a graduate degree or a certificate since the tourism industry is more developed in Miami. Also, there are more opportunities to gain experience in this field here.
Would you recommend the Chaplin School to your friends at your home school?
If anybody from my university has the opportunity to come to FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, I would totally recommended it. I could not have chosen a better place. The quality of professors, the experience they have, how they care about their students’ progress, and the opportunities available make the Chaplin School a perfect place to study the industry. It’s totally worth it. The knowledge gained here is priceless.
