Isabella Castro: Interview With A Voyager

October 24, 2025
"Every time I stumbled, I made a point to get back up and seek the next internship or opportunity to grow."

 
_{Isabella Castro stands in front of the Ubiguity sculpture.}

No one can deny that Isabella Castro, a third-year College of Liberal Arts & Sciences student, keeps herself busy. Castro is an Honors student, a Promise First Year Florida peer leader, an Emerging Scholars Program alum through the Center of Undergraduate Research, and a recipient of multiple prestigious awards. She recently earned the Voyager Scholarship, the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service.

The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, CEO and Co-Founder of Airbnb to help shape young leaders. The award provides up to $50,000 in financial aid, a $10,000 travel stipend for a summer work-travel experience, an invitation to an annual summit, and access to a network of leaders.

The Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success interviewed Castro, who shared her perspective on the Voyager Scholarship and gave advice to students interested in making more of their academic career.

Why did you apply for the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service?

I applied to the Obama Chesky Scholarship for Public Service because ever since I was little, I have felt a deep passion for serving others, but I was unsure what a future in public service really looked like or how to build one. I hoped the program could give me the mentorship and community I needed to turn that passion into a concrete path. Meeting Eduardo Linardi, the first Voyager Scholar at UF, was transformative. He was generous with his guidance, and his story convinced me that someone like me could pursue public service at a national level and succeed.

What was your reaction when you learned of your selection for the scholarship?

 I found out I was a Voyager Scholarship recipient while I was in Latvia for the U.S. State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship. I had turned off my phone to prepare for a Russian presentation, so when I turned it back on and saw the news, I was shocked, thrilled, and in disbelief I had won. I immediately called a friend from my CLS cohort who knew I was waiting for the results, then reached out to Eduardo Linardi, the first Voyager Scholar from UF, and finally called my parents once it all sank in and I understood the implications of the award I had won.

What does this award mean to you, both personally and academically?

Personally, as a first-generation college student who came to UF with limited resources, this award is a powerful reminder that all the challenges and setbacks I came in with did not define my path or limit my potential. I am proud to see a tangible result of the hard work I have put at the University of Florida. Every time I stumbled, I made a point to get back up and seek the next internship or opportunity to grow. I am incredibly grateful for that journey.

Academically, this scholarship affirms my deep commitment to learning and service and this summer I will embark on my summer voyage to learn about how a future in public service looks for me.

The award is described as a “leadership development and scholarship program.” How do you think you’ll develop as a leader under this program?

Through the Voyager Scholarship, I aspire to grow as a leader who embodies empathy, curiosity, and purpose. My experiences at the University of Florida—such as interning at the Center for European Studies, serving as a Peer Leader, and conducting research through the Emerging Scholars Program—have taught me that true leadership is rooted in listening, connecting across cultures, and leading by example. The Voyager Program's emphasis on public service and global engagement will allow me to build upon these lessons, step outside of my comfort zone, and apply them to real-world challenges. By learning from my diverse cohort of Voyagers, I hope to strengthen my voice, refine my values, and gain the confidence needed to transform my passion for dialogue, and community building into meaningful impact.

You’re clearly driven to achieve more than simply earning a degree. Where does this drive come from?

My drive comes from many places, but it begins with my parents. They immigrated from Cali, Colombia, and have always worked physically demanding blue-collar jobs to give my siblings and me opportunities that they did not have. My parents' strong work ethic and sacrifices have fueled my unwavering determination to succeed in all my endeavors and to pursue my dreams of public service, no matter how unattainable they may seem.

How have UF resources, communities, or opportunities helped you grow?

During my time at UF, being an intern at the Center for European Studies, a Peer Leader, and participating in the Emerging Scholars Program have been some of the most transformative experiences of my college journey. Before beginning my CES internship, I had little idea how to network or speak confidently with professors, but over time, I grew more comfortable and learned how to engage through cross-cultural dialogue. Serving as a Peer Leader also holds a special place in my heart. Coming to UF as a shy freshman, the role helped me find my voice, improve my public speaking, and push myself to be a stronger student and role model. Finally, the Emerging Scholars Program, where I conducted research alongside my wonderful mentor Dr. Armin Langer, introduced me to the world of research for the first time and inspired me to later apply to the Haskell Scholars Program through the Bob Graham Center.

If you could look back and give your first-year self one piece of advice, what would it be?

 I would tell my freshman-year self, “I know you feel the weight of being a first-generation student, carrying imposter syndrome, and believing you will never catch up to the people around you. But what you do not yet realize is that being first-generation will become the fire that fuels you. It will give you the resilience and the unyielding spirit you need to overcome obstacles and build the future you dream of.”

Written by Braden Blue.