Instagram: @zfgonzalez_22
Major: Global Studies
Minor: Ethnic Studies
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Year at UNL: 4th year, Graduate in Dec. 2025
Favorite Book(s):
"It's What I do—A photographer's Life of Love and War" by Lynsey Addario
"Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza" by Gloria Anzaldua
I enjoy reading a good book every now and then, covering a variety of genres but I especially like autobiographies. Once I picked up these books, they were difficult to put down. There is something special about books like these when the author allows you to know their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, all the good and bad, and in some moments feel as if it were your own.
Why Global Studies?
My journey to choosing my major was not a simple one but choosing Global Studies has been the best decision I've made in my college career. I love what I learn and the ways in which my major challenges me to critically think and consider so much more. In addition to logistics and realities I am taught the many ways to approach topics, problems, and events, that include a human aspect of empathy and imagination for more than what we know as normal and possible. It is an environment where I've been allowed to grow in so many ways, both academically and in my personal life as well. It is an interdisciplinary field with a range of topics that go from political science, international relations, human rights, history, government, languages, culture, and so much more. It is a combination of, if not all, most of my interests. I also just recently added on my Ethnic Studies minor, and it is something I have had an interest in since first taking "Introduction to Ethnic Studies". It is an area I think is crucial for everyone to understand. When we learn about realities that are not are own we expand our way of thinking and understanding of the world around us.
The most interesting class I've taken would have to be "Food and Culture". It was one of the most interesting approaches to learning about cultures and even history's contributions to gastronomy around the world.
A course I would definitely recommend that any major take is an Ethnic Studies course of their choosing. I can not emphasize enough of the importance to expand your worldview, to challenge our perspectives and gain something invaluable.
To those who are undecided about their major or even considering a minor. If you love to learn about the world and have an interest in a variety of topics such as the ones I've mentioned, I encourage you to seriously consider Global Studies. It is a well-rounded field for people who are looking for more than just one route in their careers.
Extracurricular Experiences:
Since coming to UNL I have spent a majority of my time on campus going to classes, studying, attending academic talks, and working at my work-study student positions. I first worked at the Love Library/Adele Commons as a library assistant my first semesters and then began working with Trio Upward Bound Programs as an office assistant. I plan to begin a micro-internship this semester with the Asian Community and Cultural Center with their Citizenship Program and I am excited to learn more about this field and gain professional experience. If I were to travel abroad it would be to China to immerse myself in the culture and improve my Mandarin Chinese skills.
Post graduation plans
Post-graduation before anything else I plan to take trip to my family's small hometown in Mexico and spend some as much time as possible with family and especially my grandma. I would love to spend my time going to local street markets, eating amazing food, and going to the larger city to explore shops, parks, museums, and learn more about my family's history.
As for career plans, I know that whether it is on a local, national, or even international level I want to be involved with organizations that focus their time and energy completely on people's needs and building up a community. I am especially interested in working as a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department, which at the moment may have to be put on hold. This is something that no matter what, I plan to actively work towards by gaining knowledge and experience in similar sectors to prepare me for a position as a Foreign Officer. In general, I am open to a range of careers which my major has allowed and prepared me for and I'm excited of having the ability to be flexible in the careers I choose to pursue.
March 24, 2025
