“As an international student, I was instantly embraced by the FSU community in a way that has always made me feel welcome and constantly encourages me to get involved.”
Fast Facts
- World traveler: Lived in London, Florence and Rio de Janeiro
- Favorite TV show: BBC’s “War and Peace”
- Football fan: Loves the Seminoles and the NFL
- Bucket list: Seeing the Northern Lights
- Favorite FSU event: International Coffee Hour
Montserrat Zeron, an international student from Mexico City, has made an impact on the Florida State University community through her dedication to research and community service. As an international affairs major, Zeron has excelled academically and also embraced the vibrant campus life at FSU. Her journey is a testament to the welcoming environment that FSU offers to its students by encouraging them to get involved and make a difference.
Zeron has received funding from the Social Science Scholars Program, the American Institute of Physics and an IDEA Grant to pursue her research on space diplomacy. She is a leader with TEDxFSU and a former member of FSU’s Community Ambassador Program and encourages other students to get involved in their community.
As an international student, what made FSU stand out to you?
I chose to attend FSU because I wanted to attend a university that upheld academic excellence and fostered a multicultural environment through a diversity of experiences, ideas and beliefs. As an international student, I was instantly embraced by the FSU community in a way that has always made me feel welcome and constantly encourages me to get involved. Through FSU’s vibrant campus, I have found a range of programs, classes, activities and events that have embraced the culturally rich learning environment I wanted. I was drawn to the International Affairs Program and its interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for global careers. The First Year Abroad program was also a big motivation for my enrollment. The opportunity to study abroad in London and Florence has been one of the greatest experiences in my life.
What academic achievements are you most proud of?
For the past two semesters, I have worked on my Honors in the Major research project on space diplomacy. Under the direction of Associate Professor of History Ronald Doel, I’ve analyzed the role of diplomacy in the development of multinational space missions through a case study on the James Webb Space Telescope. Throughout the development of this project, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to multiple cities across the world and visit various facilities, archival collections and meet with scientists and space policy experts.
With funding support from an IDEA Grant, the Social Science Scholars Program and a grant-in-aid from the American Institute of Physics, I’ve had overwhelming support to research the fascinating intersection between diplomacy, international collaboration and the development of multi-billion space science missions.
What has been an impactful community service opportunity at FSU?
I have been involved with TEDxFSU for as long as I’ve been on campus. From being a speaker coach and a member of the steering committee to currently serving on the executive board, I’ve embraced the belief of “ideas worth spreading.” I encourage others to share their stories, ideas and research projects with the FSU and Tallahassee communities. Through my leadership roles in speaker recruitment and design coordination, I help create a platform where new ideas will provide an impactful learning experience for people attending our events.
Community service has also been something I strive to participate in. As a member of the Community Ambassador Program, I help spread awareness on blood cancer disorders by encouraging involvement and supporting partnerships between Gift of Life Marrow Registry and the FSU community. I took on a student ambassador leadership role by coordinating multiple swabbing drives, events, presentations and Market Wednesday appearances to highlight the cause.
How have you contributed to the FSU and Tallahassee community?
My multifaceted involvement at FSU reflects my wish to contribute to the academic, global and service spheres. My contributions to the Global Scholars Program and Social Science Scholars Programs have included research projects that embrace the intersection between local and global communities, particularly highlighting the ways that those two communities interact and collaborate with each other.
As a Global Media Division intern with the Office of University Communications, I have helped to streamline and promote international activities at our university to both the FSU and Tallahassee communities. From writing news stories and conducting interviews to creating digital content and covering multicultural events, my experiences have highlighted the different international achievements of fellow FSU students, faculty and staff.