Jasmine Porres
2015 Gilman Scholar
Hometown
Pomona, CA
Major
Communications and Public Relations
College
College of Liberal Arts
I am a first-generation college student, and as the eldest of three, I feel the need to set an example for my younger siblings about the importance of higher education. I have supported myself through college by working at the Latino Cultural Center and as a Resident Assistant at McCutcheon and Hillenbrand Halls. Education is very important to me, and I am fortunate enough to have a family who helps me find ways to make my goals a reality.
This summer, with the help of the Gilman Scholarship, I studied abroad in the Boiler Up Barcelona program in Spain, designed specifically for Public Relations majors. In five short weeks, I took courses on Intercultural Communication and Public Relations Techniques. My time in Barcelona has allowed me to gain a new perspective on the practical application of how a cultural environment shapes nonverbal and verbal styles and patterns of communication.
As part of the program, I also had the unique opportunity to attend the 5th Annual Barcelona Public Relations Conference, a major meeting of international professionals and scholars in my field of study. This year’s conference honored Professor Robert L. Heath, who has three decades of experience in corporate communication and positioning research. Attending the conference, I learned from scholarly PR practitioners like Heath who discussed and analyzed trending topics in the field of Public Relations. I attended sessions on the impact of new technology on media relations and the importance of place brand image.
This experience abroad has given me an even greater sense of appreciation for the importance of education. It has shown me that I am capable of adapting and embracing a new culture. My future goal is to work in lifestyle and fashion public relations, and studying abroad in Barcelona has provided me with a new form of leverage for my future.