Taylor Bryla is the Coordinator of International Scholars Program (ISP), one of the Office of Global Learning’s signature student engagement initiatives.
Taylor was raised right here in Gainesville, but her education and appetite for international experiences took her on a journey far and wide before she settled back down in her hometown. “Even back then, I feel like I was dying to see something new.” Taylor attended FSU, a “very controversial” choice to make when you come from a family of UF grads in Gainesville. She studied International Affairs and Spanish, received her TEFL certification, and had an amazing time studying abroad in Valencia, Spain.
After undergrad, Taylor got an opportunity to teach English in Spain, “I bought a one-way ticket and ended up there for two years!” She improved her Spanish language skills, made many friends, and had the opportunity to travel more extensively. She also dealt firsthand with many of the issues that our international students face when they choose to study here at UF. “I quickly learned that studying abroad and living abroad are very different experiences,” says Taylor. “Being a little bit isolated, having trouble figuring out everyday stuff like grocery stores and transportation.”
After two years abroad, Taylor returned to the US and began teaching English to international students at the University of Tampa. She enjoyed working with college students and wanted to become a better resource for her students, so she decided to pursue her master’s degree in higher education. She graduated in 2021 with a master’s in Higher Education from Penn State. “My thesis was about the international student experience and how institutions can better support this population,” says Taylor. After her husband was accepted to an MBA program at UF in 2022, she returned to her hometown and started working in the Office of Global Learning.
As the Coordinator of the ISP, a graduation medallion program at UF, Taylor puts her international experience and teaching skills into practice. The ISP helps students develop their intercultural competence on a personal and professional level by developing a website that captures all the international experiences they’ve had before their graduation. “Right before their lives change, the edge of something inspiring, being able to reflect and articulate what you’ve done, is super valuable. The idea behind the program is to help students have international experiences—sometimes study abroad, but for plenty of students, they don’t have that opportunity,” says Taylor, “so through this program, they can gain international experience through the resources we have on campus.”
The final project for ISP graduates is an e-Portfolio that students develop, with Taylor’s guidance, to learn to articulate their international experiences and how they positively impact the entire university experience.
Taylor says her favorite student interactions are with new freshmen, “Someone brand new to campus—they don’t always know exactly what they want to do, but they like travel, so they sign up.” Taylor enjoys watching them get involved, meeting with them as their time here at UF advances and watching them interact with ISP and other students and resources. “They start to build an experience that helps them find where they’re going.” She recalls a specific student, “She came to UF with no passport, but she wanted to work in health care and study abroad.” Through working with ISP, the student realized she could connect these interests. “Now every time I talk to her, she’s like ‘Guess where I just got back from?’ and it’s Tanzania, Costa Rica, and Peru, all working with global health.”
Taylor’s best advice for her students is, “Take advantage of the opportunities that UF has—it’s the best part of going to such a large school, that there is something for everyone.” She adds, “And make an e-portfolio!” Taylor insists that she’s not trying to just force homework on her ISP students, but that the time and care that they put into summarizing their accomplishments and international experiences will help them appreciate them more, “The process of creating (the e-portfolio) is so valuable, I think everyone should do one,” then adding, “I’m trying to convince my husband to do one!”
Back in Gainesville, Taylor has grounded her global journey in the community she once left behind. She and her husband, Barclay—whom she’s known since their days at Florida State and married last August in Acadia National Park—enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle with their dog Jesse. Their love of hiking, camping, pickleball, and “pretty much anything outdoors” reflects the same adventurous and immersive spirit Taylor brings to her work with students. Whether guiding them through international experiences or encouraging them to tell their own stories, Taylor’s passion for exploration and connection echoes through every facet of the International Scholars Program—reminding us that true growth often begins by reflecting on where we come from and where we’re headed.
Story by: Terrence Funke
Photos by: Christina Cozart