UWF student represents Dutch Caribbean peers during royal visit event in Miami

University of West Florida student Gionna "Gigi" Maduro of Curaçao represented Dutch Caribbean students during a Miami event held in conjunction with the recent visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, highlighting UWF's growing connections across the Dutch Caribbean.

Maduro was selected to deliver welcome remarks during the Dutch Caribbean Student Session, which brought together students, university representatives and government officials to discuss student experiences, academic opportunities and future collaboration across the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

"From living in Curaçao since birth, I never had the opportunity to meet the royal highnesses King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima," Maduro said. "I would've never imagined that during my senior year at the University of West Florida, I would be selected and invited to give a welcome speech at the Dutch Caribbean Student Session in front of such a powerful group of people."

In her remarks, Maduro reflected on the challenges students face when pursuing higher education abroad and the resilience they show in overcoming these challenges.

"We Dutch Caribbean students truly know how to make sweet lemonade out of the lemons that life throws at us," Maduro said.

Maduro is one of many Dutch Caribbean students enrolled at UWF who have taken on active leadership roles across campus, including service in student government, international ambassador programs and new student orientation. Her selection as a welcome speaker reflects both her leadership at UWF and the University's growing engagement with partners in Aruba, Curaçao and the Netherlands through recruitment, student exchange, institutional collaboration and campus visits.

"UWF's participation in this event reflects the strength of our growing partnerships across the Kingdom of the Netherlands," said Rachel Hendrix, executive director of UWF's Office of International Affairs. "It also reinforces our commitment to expanding opportunities for students from the Caribbean."

UWF continues to explore opportunities to expand engagement through recruitment, exchange programs and other collaborative initiatives.

To learn more about UWF's Office of International Affairs, visit uwf.edu/international.