Finding Community and Tradition at USF

BY CARLA IRIZARRYDELGADO, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, CLASS OF ‘25

FOR THE ENTIRETY OF MY FIRST YEAR AT USF, I was essentially silent. I had maybe four non-academic conversations with people on campus in the span of two semesters – other than that, I was detached from the rest of the university. It’s easy to get lost here, but I am taking this opportunity to invite you to go against the current.

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where I was comfortably immersed in our vibrant culture. When my family moved to South Florida right before my tenth birthday, I was quickly thrown into a melting pot of cultures, people, and traditions.

I loved it (and still do!), but at the same time, I had to realize that my personal culture is only one of thousands. Not everyone speaks my language, eats my food, or celebrates my holidays. There is power in this, but at the same time there is a degree of isolation. On top of that, I have dealt with varying health challenges throughout my life – they have made me feel different in ways I do not always appreciate but am ultimately grateful for because of the strength they give me.

When I came to USF, I felt isolated all over again. USF is wonderfully diverse and unique, but sometimes differences can be alienating. On a campus full of varying cultures, some typical college traditions can be lost in translation, such as American university staples like football and Greek life. In order to get the satisfaction of experiencing meaningful traditions, I had to look inward and analyze why I was here in the first place.

I chose USF for its outstanding health programs and Preeminent Research University status, not to mention the Judy Genshaft Honors College’s unmatched benefits. USF was promising and it has absolutely delivered on that front – this university has given me all I wanted academically. Yet, I realized what I was missing was not something USF could offer me; it was something I had to contribute myself. I realized I was passively receiving USF’s opportunities but was not actively doing anything to actively engage with campus. As I looked around, I saw many chances to give back, and just needed to find the courage to say yes.

It was then that I decided to join the Marketing and Public Relations committee of the Judy Genshaft Honors College

Student Council (JGHCSC) during my second semester at USF. The weekly virtual meetings gave me a voice within the JGHC. The other members made me feel valued and included. This positive experience led me to apply for an Executive Board position for the next Fall semester, and I now happily lead committee meetings and social media for the JGHCSC.

I also got involved in the JGHC as an Honors Foundations Peer Mentor, so I could create a safe space for first year students to ask questions and learn from my experiences. My Geographical Perspectives Honors class opened a door for me to become part of the College of Public Health’s Maternal and Child Health Scholars for Social Justice program, which has fueled my passion for public health.

All these experiences help me know what’s going on around campus, which gives me a sense of belonging. Now I recognize people around campus and meet others in situations like my own. This may not seem very important to some, but for a person who lives off campus and has struggled to make friends in the past, it means everything.

Being involved in the JGHC and the USF community also gives me a reason– beyond my academic responsibilities– to get up in the morning despite the battles with my health. I find myself constantly exceeding my own expectations of what I can do. I can feel myself turning into the leader I had always wanted to be but never believed I could. I finally have the sense of belonging and traditions I had been looking for.

I believe that more students in situations like mine should take advantage of everything the JGHC and USF have to offer. I don’t exaggerate when I say I haven’t met a person at the JGHC that hasn’t been wholeheartedly rooting for my success. And I am rooting for your success too. Take my words as an invitation to connect with others and form memories and traditions that will not only impact your college experience, but your entire life.