While we’ve worked to maintain the essence and key points of the narrative, some details have been condensed to fit the available space.
Metolo Foyet, a PhD candidate from Cameroon at the University of Florida (UF), has used her time in the U.S. to navigate both the academic challenges of her research and the personal growth that comes with being an international student. With a focus on conservation and digital spaces, Metolo has integrated her unique background into her academic work, emphasizing communication and leadership. Her leadership roles, including serving as a Graduate Senator and Co-Chair of the Graduate Caucus, highlight her dedication to advocating for underrepresented students. Despite the challenges she’s faced, her experiences at UF have enriched her understanding of cultural intersections, leadership, and resilience.
Metolo’s academic and professional journey at UF has been shaped by her commitment to broadening the scope of her research while connecting with her cultural roots. Her involvement in student leadership has fueled her passion for elevating marginalized voices within the academic community. Looking ahead, Metolo plans to return to Cameroon post-graduation, where she hopes to reconnect with her family and heritage while applying her newfound knowledge. While uncertain of the specifics, she remains open to where life will take her and the opportunities that will arise.
How do you think your experience at UF has prepared you for your future?
“The most rewarding part of my experience at UF has been the connections I’ve made, especially with undergraduates. Through engaging with students, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of America—about 20% of my understanding of this country has come through those interactions. I’ve learned so much by observing and interacting with diverse perspectives across the country, whether through my teaching or traveling across states.
How has your involvement in campus activities enriched your experience at UF?
“Representing others has been a profound learning journey. Before I could represent, I had to first refine how I communicated through proposals, writing, and interaction. My instinctive connection with writing shaped my ability to speak. Long before I spoke, I read—and then, I wrote—and only then did I truly begin to find my voice. Through my leadership in UF’s Student Government, the Graduate Caucus, and the International Student Council, I realized that speaking and writing are not just ways of conveying information—they are ways to build bridges, to carve out spaces for others. The experience of learning to speak and represent others—whether through advocacy or service—has been as much about learning to listen and understand as it has been about giving voice to those who are unheard.”
Can you share a meaningful challenge you faced as an international student and how you overcame it?
“One of the biggest challenges has been adjusting my research focus due to mobility constraints. Initially, my fieldwork was meant to be conducted in Cameroon, but due to travel limitations, I had to shift my research to social media as a primary site for my fieldwork. This was not an easy decision, but it led me to explore digital platforms in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It taught me the importance of adaptability and resilience in research.”
“I found my way through these challenges by immersing myself in nature, observing, asking questions, and learning when to speak up and when to step back. I focused on understanding my emotions and reactions, choosing my battles, and listening closely to my mentors. I’ve also been fortunate to have a supportive network of people to turn to—my family, mentors, a few close friends, and my PhD advisor and committee members. They’ve been my foundation, offering more support than words can fully express.”
How do you plan to use your education and experiences at UF to make a positive impact in the future?
“I will embrace a professional journey in a place where I am wanted and where my abilities are valued. Monetary value is not to be neglected, but the quality of the work environment matters the most. I don’t know where life will take me after PhD, but I know that I am ready for what the universe and their witty and ironic tricks have in store for me.”
How do you plan to use your education from UF to make an impact in your field?
" Descendant of indigenous warriors and founders of the Kingdom of Fotouni, located in the montane ecosystem of Cameroon's western highlands, my academic interests sit on the intersections of Indigenous cultural resistance, decolonial approaches in natural resource management (NRM) and digital environmental humanities (DEH). Using the Technology-Media-Movements Complex (TMMC) theoretical framework, my research explores institutional linkages between social media, conservation policy, wildlife activism and the rise of indigenous movements in southern Africa. I equally examine how culture shapes institutions, and argue that conservation is not only economics, it is also culture; and if culture is a human right, according to article 27 of the UN UDHR, then conservation is human rights. This research is critical, as it seeks to address how marginalized indigenous communities—largely presumed to be tech illiterate—leverage digital tools to advocate for their rights and influence policy and activism in ways that align with their cultural values and collective objectives. Despite the potential of social media to amplify their voices on the global stage, these communities face technological, institutional and cultural barriers that remain underexplored.”
“I suspect I would do a lot of publishing, because writing is my gift. Any opportunity I have to transmit, irrespective of the shape or form it takes (narrative, editorial, technical, academic, investigative, expository, creative, persuasive, visual, lyrically, etc.) will be exploited."
What do you envision for your future after graduation?
“After graduation, my first goal is simple: I want to be with my son, whom I haven’t seen for years due to mobility constraints. I envision retreating to my grandparents' house in the mountains, reconnecting with nature, and teaching him to experience life in ways that connect him to our roots. I want him to understand the joy of drinking fresh water from a river source, of herding goats at the peak of a mountain, and of reading while lying on the branch of a guava tree. It’s not just about reconnecting with the land, but about teaching him to honor our history and legacy. After that, I plan to embrace a professional journey where my abilities are valued, though I don’t know where that will take me yet. I know that obstacles only end with death, and as long as we’re alive, we can navigate through any storm that comes our way.”