This weekend 11 Florida State University students and three Center for Global Engagement staff attended the 13th annual Florida International Leadership Conference (FILC) at Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, Florida.

“FILC has given me the opportunity to broaden my horizons further than I ever thought," said Quentin England, FSU sophomore studying Criminology. "With new friends and new skills, I feel confident looking towards the future.”

This annual conference brought together over 160 domestic and international students and staff from 18 different Florida colleges and universities to engage in a weekend of leadership learning activities. FILC empowers future international leaders through teambuilding exercises and sessions on a variety of topics ranging from global leadership and intercultural communication to campus activism. Participants also enjoy social activities such as campfires, a coffee house, and a Saturday evening dance.

Additionally, Mursalin – Global UGRAD-Pakistan sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to study at FSU during the spring semester – won 3rd place for his elevator pitch, a competition designed to help students prepare for future networking.

Additionally, one of the CGE's newest International Student Advisors, Betty Jensen, gave the keynote address titled, "Vision, Passion, and Advocacy: The Story of FILC." Betty developed and implemented the first FILC in 2007, and she considers it her one of her proudest accomplishments.

Laura Dean, the CGE's Intercultural Programs Coordinator, presented a breakout session titled, "Empowering the Leader in You." In it she used Carol Dweck's psychological model to show students how to equip themselves to shift their mindset and transform into leaders.

2019 FSU Student Participants included:

• Oriana Basanez (international student peer leader – Venezuela)
• Quentin England (international student participant – England)
• Daniella Horvath (international student participant – Hungary)
• Efraim Roxas (international student participant – Philippines)
• Jeanne Martin (U.S. student participant)
• Hannah Madison (U.S. student participant)
• Mursalin (international student participant – UGRAD-Pakistan)
• Roya Naderi (international peer leader – Iran)
• Diosili Salazar (U.S. student participant)
• Ana Paula Siqueira (international student participant – Brazil)
• Tanvir Ahmed Toshon (international student participant – Bangladesh)

Each year 10-12 FSU students and two peer leaders are selected to attend FILC. If you are interested in participating in FILC in 2020, please visit cge.fsu.edu/FILC and check back for updates toward the end of fall 2019.