John Balloveras
ABOUT ME
Hello! Hola! 您們好！Olá!
My name is John Balloveras, I am a recent graduate at the University of Florida, where I graduated with a double-major in Political Science and International Studies (Asia Track), a minor in Chinese Studies, and a certificate in International Relations and the International Scholars Program. I am particularly interested in the intersection of culture, identity, and politics, especially as it pertains to international development.
When I am not buried behind a textbook or academic article, you could find me in the kitchen experimenting with world cuisines, globetrotting, or out kayaking!
RESUME
Education
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University of Florida
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International Studies, Political Science
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Minor: Chinese Studies
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Certificate: International Relations
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Programs: International Program
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Graduated Fall 2018
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GPA: 3.96/4.0
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Languages:
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English and Spanish (bilingual)
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Mandarin Chinese (conversational proficiency)
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Portuguese (reading proficiency)
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Technical Skills:
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Microsoft Office Suite
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Stata Statistical Data Analysis Software
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National Honor Society
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Golden Key International Honors Society - Elected Spring 2017
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Phi Kappa Phi -Elected Fall 2017
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Bright Futures Scholarship (Florida Academic Scholars) 2015-2018
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Member of Model United Nations
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Member of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society
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Dean’s List – Fall 2015 through Spring 2018
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President’s Honor Roll – Fall 2016
Awards
and
Achievements
Skills
Work
Experience
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Administrative Assistant
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Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami
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Miami, FL | February 2018- Current | 45 hours per week
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Lifeguard
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JCC Alper Campus
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Miami, FL | June- August 2017 | 40 hours per week
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Lifeguard
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Girl Scouts of South Florida
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Miami, FL | June- August 2016 | 40 hours per week
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Summer Camp Naturalist and Counselor
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Deering Estate of Florida
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Miami, FL | June- August 2015| 40 hours per week
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GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
Spain & Italy | 2012
At 15, this was my first independent trip outside the country. This overseas study program convinced me at a relatively young age that I would like to capitalize on my "intercultural-ness" in my future career, though it would take me three more years to realize this career would be in international affairs!
People's Republic of China | 2014
At the time, I had no idea how much Chinese culture, economics, and politics would come to define my academic career. This cultural immersion in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai broke me out of my Cuban-American
status-quo and inspired me to continue learning from the unfamiliar.
Peru | 2015
During my overseas study program in Peru, I made a particular effort to compare and contrast my Cuban-American status-quo and Peruvian society and culture to uncover a foundational experience of Latin-Americans and what differences we can learn from each other.
Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong | 2015
When I returned to China just a year after leaving the PRC, I was no longer learning from the unfamiliar, instead I was learning from the interplay of Western, Thai, and Chinese traditions. I compiled these lessons in a short document, please click to discover more.
UF in India | 2018
After having first hand-experience working with 18 different developmental NGOs in five different cities throughout India, I finally realized that this is precisely the work that I would like to be involved with. During this trip I came to the conclusion that I could best service people via application on international law.
KEY COURSEWORK
Theories of International Relations
This course is integral for my personal and career goals because it established the foundation of my knowledge in international relations. I have revisited the theories proposed in this class time and again and plan to apply these themes as an intercultural liaison.
Culture and World Politics
I believe politics should always be understood as a function of cultural contexts. This course gave me the analytical tools to back up the claim that International Relations as a field is devoid of integral culture studies and helped me realize I would like to pursue work in development.
Research Methods in Political Science
If Theories of International Relations gave me the conceptual basis to do the work international liaison, Research Methods gave me the practical and statistical knowledge to complete this work. The analytical knowledge and introduction to Stata has been integral to career.
LANGUAGE LEARNING
REFLECTION
I am driven by an intense passion for international relations, cultural exchange, and human development. Please click to discover the events that led me to become an International Scholar.