Our Blog

Blog Post Written by Prof. Rose

Miramar, Florida – Students in Professor Jack J. Rose’s Business Expo class will showcase their business at the Fall Business Expo Showcase on Friday, December 8th, at United International College, 3130 Commerce Boulevard, Miramar from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Dr. Alberto Moyano Auditorium.

MD Alif Uddin Abir’s Coastal Manufacturing Company specializes in manufacturing high-quality products for various industries, utilizing advanced technologies and efficient processes.

Etereo House is the brainchild of Azul Barrios, a combination of a restaurant and nightclub to be located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With a fusion of both, Etereo House will be a two-story establishment, with the restaurant on the first floor and the nightclub on the second floor. Her target market is college students because Etereo House will be a meeting place for nightlife and networking with peers.

Nedge Beubrun looks forward to opening Nedge’s Haitian Restaurant and enhancing the image of Haiti by showcasing their culture and flavorful foods. Her primary target market is the ever-increasing Haitian population and her secondary market will be introducing the Haitian culture and cuisine to non-Haitians.

A professional tennis player, Mariano Cabrera looks forward to opening Competition Tennis Academy, a high-performance tennis academy where children learn, grow, compete and develop as players in tournaments to reach a professional level. Mariano has traveled the world showcasing his exceptional tennis skills and his enthusiasm will result in successful entrepreneurial enterprise.

Cruz Developers is a web development company that provides customized solutions for clients through coding and programming. Entrepreneur, Elian Guillermo Cruz Rivera, intends to provide services for website design development, maintenance, and support to his primary target market, medium-sized businesses that require professional and efficient web development solutions, helping clients grow their online presence and enhance their digital marketing strategies.

Perspectuvas Cruz Photography is a professional photography business dedicated to capturing the beauty and significance of life’s most memorable moments. Entrepreneur, Elin Guillermo Cruz Rivera, has always had a passion for photography and is a believer in creating exceptional visual stories, that will be treasured forever.

Hotel Lindeza is the dream of entrepreneur, Luis Hernandez, to provide lodging services offering a variety of rooms/suites with many amenities, such as a fitness center and a restaurant focusing on providing a healthy lifestyle for their guests.  Luis has always been a sports participant and, as a member of the UIC Baseball Team, he recognizes how difficult it is to be a sports enthusiast while maintaining a healthy lifestyle when traveling, whether for work or on a vacation. Luis also loves to be around people from all over the world and looks forward to welcoming global guests.

Gallardo’s Healthy Food is a meal prep and delivery service conceived by entrepreneur, George Gallardo, a member of the UIC Baseball Team. His business provides healthy pre-made meals to individuals and families with busy schedules who are keen on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. His goal is to convince customers and clients that junk food is unhealthy and his services are geared to educating everyone how a healthy lifestyle can become your best friend. His primary target market are individuals age 20-40 and his secondary market are for those over 40 that includes educational classes on nutritious foods that contribute to longer lives.

Jajees Pack & Ship is a professional preparation, packaging, and shipping service created by entrepreneur, Moeez Tanveer. His business specializes in assisting individuals and businesses with preparing documents, and securely packaging items for shipping, and coordinating the logistics to ensure safe and timely delivery. His target market is small and medium-sized businesses, and individuals needing cost-effective shipping solutions. His secondary market is e-commerce sellers needing safe and secure packaging and delivery of merchandise to their clients.

Blog Post Written by Edward Espinoza, Class of 2026

“This season, we pause to give thanks for our incredible students here at UIC.” Dr. Deborah Mendez, Collective Thoughts Editor

We´re all familiar with the fact that being a rockstar is a synonym for party, deprivation, excess and many other outrageous activities. Sex, drugs, and rock & roll has been the standard classification of an unbridled lifestyle that most musicians have accomplished through the years in order to maintain a status within the media and the audiences. But this behavior is getting into a more complicated place when it comes to explaining the reasons for premature deaths in the industry.

Being a musician, besides the personal satisfaction of playing, composing and being creative with others, contains a lot of emotions and uncertainty when it comes to understanding the behavioral aspect before performing live, doing an interview or simply being the focus of the media environment on a daily basis. Some people in the industry are extroverted and like to be the center of attention, while others are shy, introverted and quiet, with a natural tendency and commitment with the music and the audience.

Taylor Hawkins, an amazing drummer with an unbeatable talent and a powerful connection with the people was touring with his band (Foo Fighters) in 2022 as a part of their South American tour. They’ve played in Chile, Argentina and Colombia, but before playing in the last country and going to stage, he started to feel sick and experienced a lot of chest pain. He called 911 from his hotel room asking for help, but when the paramedics arrived it was too late. He was pronounced dead at the age of 50 years, on March 25th of 2022. He was suffering with insecurities, depression, personal deficiencies and stage fright, which he can only control by taking different types of medications, including antidepressants. The toxicological report states that more than ten different types of drugs were found in his body. He was the drummer for the Foo Fighters for almost 26 years and now he’s gone.

Mental issues can affect us all without even knowing how to manage or behave in specific situations. He was having a mental disorder by not being emotionally stable and not being able to show how he really felt while playing live or being in a crowded place. He sadly chose the path of drug use, even though he wasn’t a drug addict, that was the only thing that kept him away from his fears and insecurities. He had a beautiful family, an amazing band, and influenced a lot of drummers (including me), but this wasn’t enough for him in order to feel complete and blissful.

Being mentally and emotionally stable is more important than being the center of attention and this is why we need to encourage ourselves to maintain a solid awareness and relationship with our emotions and feelings without being affected of what other people think or by the media glorification for being a rockstar that could attract more people, money, readers and viewers all over the world. It’s important to feel good on the inside so we can share our emotions in a more healthy way and with a positive perspective when it comes to doing what we love.

Collective Thoughts is a blog published once a semester by our UIC students, and features fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art submitted by our undergraduate students. Our mission is to provide a plat-form to showcase the unique voice of the developing and emerging writer and to foster the love of writing.

Blog Post Written by Cagdas Sanligencler, Class of 2027

“This season, we pause to give thanks for our incredible students here at UIC.” Dr. Deborah Mendez, Collective Thoughts Editor

I am thankful for the unwavering support of my family. Their encouragement and belief in my abilities have been my pillars of strength. Moreover  their sacrifices and selflessness have shaped my character and instilled in me a sense of responsibility. I appreciate the little moments of joy we
share, from the family dinners to heartfelt conversations.

Each family member contributes uniquely to this tapestry of support, creating a network that goes beyond a mere connection; it is a profound source of strength. Their encouragement has fueled my determination to overcome obstacles, and their belief in my potential has been a constant motivator. I carry with me the invaluable lessons and love bestowed upon me my family, forever grateful for the unwavering foundation they have provided.

Collective Thoughts is a blog published once a semester by our UIC students, and features fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art submitted by our undergraduate students. Our mission is to provide a plat-form to showcase the unique voice of the developing and emerging writer and to foster the love of writing.

Blog Post Written by Matthew Ancrum-Smith, Class of 2027

“This season, we pause to give thanks for our incredible students here at UIC.” Dr. Deborah Mendez, Collective Thoughts Editor

Who would have thought that a knock at my door would change the entirety of my life forever? It was the beginning of eighth grade and everything was going as planned. I was just starting to find my passion in life when I heard a stranger’s voice say, ̈we are taking your kids from you.

I never knew my freedom could be snatched in the blink of an eye. I will never forget the screams of my sisters and brothers. I was sitting there in shock as tears rolled down my face. I sat in the back seat of the car looking out the window terrified, not knowing what would happen next. I was placed in foster care. I was not able to go outside when I wanted to. I was trapped inside of a building surrounded by kids I didn’t know. Not only was I transferred to a new home, but I was sent to a new school and, not knowing anyone, I had to adapt. I couldn’t see any of my friends. It felt like a nightmare day in and out. I just wanted to be back home with my family. It was hard at first, but, luckily, I was always the kid who liked to socialize. So making new friends for me is not hard at all.

My love of basketball inspired me to strive for greatness. I feel like I belong every time I am surrounded by others while playing basketball. It gave me purpose, it was my reason to not stop and give up. I found love in the beautiful sport of basketball and never took it for granted. I would play for hours outside in the sun all alone, and it made me feel better. Although taking my freedom away almost killed my spirit, playing basketball motivated me. The small moments when I could get to play basketball made me sink away from life not worrying about any of my problems.

During the eight long months with DCF, I learned that when life gives me hardships to overcome I have to keep striving and pushing to become a better person. I can’t let what life throws at me bring me down. I have to keep a smile on my face to show the people around me I am strong and resilient. I let my best character shine through my hardest times to keep me progressing. I had problems, I set goals, and I conquered my obstacles.

Collective Thoughts is a blog published once a semester by our UIC students, and features fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art submitted by our undergraduate students. Our mission is to provide a plat-form to showcase the unique voice of the developing and emerging writer and to foster the love of writing.

Written by Dr. Marcela Moyano

United International College celebrated its XXI Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Savor Cinema, 503 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The graduating class of 2023 represented the very first 5 students graduating from the Master of Business Administration MBA program, 11 students earning a bachelor degree and 5 students graduating from associate degrees. Nationalities represented by the students were Venezuela, Russia, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Pakistan, Ecuador and Vietnam. 

Academic Director of United International College, Angelica Moyano, welcomed graduates, families and friends to the XXI Commencement Ceremony of United International College.

Lydia Bautista Moller, co-founder and president of United International College addressed the graduating class and reminded them about the urgency of their leadership in a world currently facing a fast technological upheaval and climate challenges. 

Dr. Marcela Moyano welcomed Mr. Gagan Bajaj, an Oracle Certified Instructor responsible for organizing and delivering training sessions. 

Commencement speaker Gagan Bajaj shared with the graduates his own journey as an international student in the United States. Gagan is the son of a diplomat father from India who lived his childhood in multiple nations before he came to the United States to achieve the American dream of earning  his higher education, becoming a US citizen and raising a family in the United States of America. 

“It’s easy to be consumed by the pursuit of material wealth and professional success, but true fulfillment comes from living a life of purpose, compassion, and authenticity. Remember to nurture your relationships, to cherish moments of joy, and to make time for the things that bring you genuine happiness” advised Gagan to the graduates.

UIC was honored to have had Mariela Herrera, a Summa Cum Laude Business Student, as the Commencement Speaker representing the graduates. She took this opportunity as a challenge to seek within herself and find her inner strength and freedom. She urged her fellow classmates to welcome their new journey as UIC graduates and was grateful for the education earned at UIC. 

She concluded her speech by telling the graduates “Many of us are individuals who left behind everything we knew to seek new opportunities on this land looking for a dream. Today is the day we start dreaming again. Even though it is the end of a journey, it is the commencement of another. So, dream again now, but now, with a new tool in your pocket and tons of wonderful experiences and new friends and colleagues.”

Congratulations to the first five UIC students who earned the MBA degree from United International College last Friday, June 23rd. Angelica Moyano, academic director of UIC, told the graduating class: “you are the first class of UIC’s MBA program. Thank you for believing in us when we were just starting the program.” Sandra Valentin, Muhammad Azmat, Coc Le, Luis Loha, and Asad Khan now belong to the 14.4% of people in the United States with a Master, Doctorate or Professional Degree.

The Commencement Ceremony is always a day to commemorate the hard work of UIC students and their completion of a major life achievement. UIC enjoys celebrating with families and friends and makes sure that graduates know that their alma mater is always ready to welcome them back home. Go Rays!

Written by Mariela Herrera & Prof. Rose

Miramar, FL – To be chosen as the Student Commencement Speaker for the 20th Commencement of United International College was an honor Mariela Herrera was humbled to accept, but she admits that panic set in. “At that moment, I had a rush of mixed emotions and I thought, Why me?”

Mariela shared with her colleagues, parents, faculty, administration, and friends that she “was already struggling with the idea of now what? What is that I’m going to do now? How do I want to live my life after graduation? Believe me, I was getting the chills, but as I love challenges, and don’t like to disappoint, I embraced the task to be able to reflect deeper on my feelings and share them with you.”

She continued, “This is the big moment we all have been waiting for, a great milestone in our lives. The result of years of hard work and doing what many people decided not to do, STUDY!

Despite the many reasons or excuses they might have, we know that this journey was not easy and the sacrifice was big. I think we all believe in the greatness of higher education. Education is the most empowering force in the world for it creates knowledge, builds confidence, and breaks down barriers to opportunities. Each one of you know what you left behind to pursue your dreams of a higher education. The many holidays we spent at home doing essays and projects, the many beautiful things we didn’t buy because we needed to buy books and other items for successful submission of our work and completion of each course.  For those who have children, and I know many of you do, the effort is even bigger as you needed to divide your time to do your school work and also be with your family and give them the needed support. You are the bravest of all, and your family should be very proud of you.

Mariela reminded those in attendance, “Many of us are individuals who left behind everything we knew to seek new opportunities in this land looking for a dream.  Today is the day we start dreaming, again. Even though it is the end of a journey, it is the COMMENCEMENT of another. So, dream again now, but now you have a new tool in your pocket and tons of wonderful experiences and new friends and colleagues.  When we walk out these doors today, I hope we never forget all the faces we met and the help we got from them and I know we will be able to find support in one another in the road ahead, for no one can succeed in complete solitude.

She concluded by saying, “ I wish for all of you, and myself, to be able to inspire others, to not let your fears make you settle for less of what you believe is your worth, to find the way to be happy living life doing what you love, and most important, to be your best version and let your light shine brightly.”

Mariela truly was a shining example of the graduates of United International College.  

Written by Dr. Marcela Moyano

On Monday, June 5th, Detective Yessenia Diaz, from the Miramar Police Department, received a Medal by the Honorable Merrick B. Garland, U.S. Attorney General, at the 6th Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing, which took place at the Department of Justice of the United States in Washington, DC. Det. Diaz who is a tenured 20 year law enforcement member of the Miramar Police Department and part of the Miramar Police Community Resource Unit for 8 years was conferred the Distinguished Service Medal under the category of Innovations in Community Policing based on her ongoing work with the residents  of the City of Miramar and S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together). 

United International College’s President, Lydia Bautista Moller; Provost, Angelica Moyano; and Director of Communications, Dr. Marcela Moyano, attended the Awards Ceremony and celebrated this important recognition to one of the leaders of the City of Miramar and a great supporter of UIC. Her dedication and daily commitment to our residents and students could not go unnoticed by our team.

Det. Diaz was first introduced to UIC as the Community Resource Officer assigned to the college’s area  in 2015. Promptly after she met UIC’s administrators, a relationship of mutuality was established between the City of Miramar Police Department and United International College. She shared her genuine spirit to serve and lead from day one with us.

Along the years, UIC has worked alongside the Miramar Police Department in support of crime prevention through various community events to aid conversation such as Coffee with a Cop, Tea Time,National Night Out; diversity and equality through the LGBTQ campaign; and the Miramar Police Department S.A.L.T  (Seniors And Law Enforcement Together) at theTropical Holiday Fashion Show, held in conjunction with the Florida National Army Guard Military Officers in which Photography UIC students captured the runway with their cameras. Months later, students curated an art exhibition with the photographs and police officers, firefighters and all residents  were invited to attend the art exhibition. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Miramar Police and Fire Departments honored UIC graduates with a drive-by parade with police patrols and fire trucks. Officers held up banners congratulating the graduating class. 

UIC students have also completed the Citizens Police Academy and H.OL.A. (Hispanic Outreach Law enforcement Academy), which are great ways to prevent crime and empower the community. Miramar Police S.A.L.T Holiday gift drives for seniors and Cookie and Milk events have also been part of developing the long standing relationship with the senior residents  of the City of Miramar and its Police Department. 

At UIC, students take the Business Communication course to better prepare them for career opportunities. UIC invites professionals to conduct mock interviews with UIC students as part of the course and Det Diaz has served as a volunteer for several years.  

Many of UIC students are international and have various opinions of law enforcement when they arrive in the United States.  As a way to reshape their idea of law enforcement, Det Diaz has participated in multiple UIC student and faculty events. This partnership extends the lines of communication through cultures, race, gender and fosters equity and inclusion to all involved.

During the Health Awareness for Life Foundation’s Community Health Fairs that take place at UIC, she has always found a way to promote safety and City of Miramar programs to all who attended. She has been a huge advocate of “SwimSafety Programs” promoting free swim flyers, safety games and even setting up her own sign up booths where members of various religious groups, and  cultures have participated.

On Monday morning, during the ceremony, United States Attorney General Garland referred to the award recipients as “true Nation’s Heroes who put their lives on the line for their communities.” Detective Diaz truly embodies a servant leader who can bring the community together to build up stronger in innovative ways while taking care of its most vulnerable members. 

United International College is honored to be a part of this important contribution to the City of Miramar. We were  honored to have witnessed Detective Yessenia  Diaz’ recognition at the United States Department of Justice in Washington DC.