Psychology Graduate Deepens Connection with Multicultural Identity

Gabriella Ariadna Gonzalez Ciofuli, a senior psychology student from Venezuela, is realizing how quickly four years can pass. She still remembers the feeling of setting foot on campus as the first person in her family to study in the United States.  

 “My family was so excited when I got accepted into The University of Texas at Austin,” Gonzalez Ciofuli said. “The level of education I'm getting right now, they feel that it's going to contribute to my future and the future of the entire community. That's the potential that comes with earning a degree from The University of Texas.” 

With the 2024 University-wide commencement nearing on May 11, Gonzalez Ciofuli is starting to understand what this moment means not only for her but for the entire family, including the generations to follow.  

“I’m feeling nostalgic because these years go by so fast. You don’t even realize it until you’re about to walk the stage,” Gonzalez Ciofuli said. “With commencement approaching, it’s one of the main things my family looks forward to. Coming from so far away, it’s such a big thing for us and all international graduates.”  

“Commencement is also about making our parents proud and showing them that, after supporting me through college all of these years, this degree is for all of us.” 

Gonzalez Ciofuli is still appreciative of the smooth transition she made to Austin. She attributes it to a move from Venezuela to Costa Rica when she was just 10 years old. Getting acquainted with a different culture and unfamiliar communities required her to adapt but also spurred an initial interest in psychology. 

“As an outsider at that age, being in a culture that is not yours can be very hard, but with it came valuable lessons,” Gonzalez Ciofuli said. “I learned so much about myself because of the adaptations we went through. It’s what brought me to the psychology career path. Studying psychology has only further helped me see and understand people around me.”  

Gonzalez Ciofuli adjusted to college quickly after connecting with many international students not only from Venezuela but all around the world.  

 “I've made so many friends who are either international or exchange students from Bangladesh, Peru, Argentina, Spain, Chile, the list goes on,” she said. “It's been rewarding to interact and learn about so many different cultures who are from a wide range of geographic regions. The exposure to this number of cultures truly has been wild. Besides the friendships, this also benefits our careers.” 

For Commencement Week 2024, Texas Global caught up with Gonzalez Ciofuli to reflect on her time at UT Austin and discuss her exciting future.  

What led you to pursue a psychology degree?  

I started dancing a lot when I was 13 years old. One year later, I had the opportunity to become a teaching assistant. This allowed me to teach dance in a therapeutic way to foster kids. Seeing what the foster kids were experiencing resonated with me. 

While considering various career paths, I started thinking, 'What is something that will put me out there to help kids who are feeling like an outsider, like they need somebody to talk to who can allow them to transmit it in a positive way?’ That's when I decided to apply to American universities. 

When I came here to UT, that's when everything clicked. I’ve decided that I want to be a joyful adult who goes out and helps individuals. That's why I decided psychology was the pathway for me. 

What do you consider your most rewarding experience at UT Austin?  

Being at UT helped me build a stronger connection to my culture. I found myself asking, 'What does it mean to be Venezuelan? What does it mean to be Costa Rican?' My dad is Costa Rican, my mom is Italian, and I am from Venezuela, so I have all these passports. 

Studying psychology, connecting with peers from around the world and connecting with my culture allowed me to look into what my identity is and what my culture means to me. I'm very grateful for that. I’d also like to express immense gratitude for my family, especially my dad and mom, who made all of this possible.  

What are you going to miss the most from your time in Austin?  

I'm going to miss the community the most. My community consists of so many cultures, and everyone has always been willing to help. 

In addition to my community, I will definitely miss Zilker Park and the trail along Lady Bird Lake. I went almost every morning. I just discovered it last year, and I’m realizing I’m going to miss having access to spaces like that. 

I will also miss UT RecSports. I’m not going to lie: I love the gym. It’s great for me mentally, spiritually and physically. I utilized the pools, as well. 

Don’t get stuck studying at the PCL all day, every day! Take some time for yourself. 

What is your advice for current or future international students? 

I would say this for students from another country (or even out of state) considering UT in their future: Do it. It’s a sound investment. There are many opportunities for scholarships and additional support.  

Then, once you get here, there is a significant amount of work to be done. This will all teach you how to be resilient and how to remain consistent in working toward your goals. Think about how this degree will enrich your family and facilitate growth in your community and country.  

For those currently at UT as international students, I would suggest connecting with as many people as you can. Have fun and keep your mind on your goals. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so just remind yourself to remain focused. 

What’s next for you?  

I'm going to pursue a master's degree in early childhood special education. Personally, I hope to continue here at UT as I pursue a master’s degree. This will give me the opportunity to get certified as a behavioral analyst. 

Then I'm planning to go into medical school. I want to learn to diagnose kids who are experiencing developmental differences.  

My personal goal is to continue growing as an individual. It all starts with loving yourself. When I started believing that I am enough and that I am worthy, I also started seeing the full worth in others. That's what I want to keep going forward.