FIU student embarks on overseas adventure while completing degree thanks to online program

When Monica Zenck first tried college, she wasn’t ready. Taking short breaks from her studies, she worked as a teller at TD Bank in 2018 and took occasional classes at Miami Dade.

It wasn't until she enrolled at FIU in 2021, at the age of 23, with a newfound determination, that her academic expedition opened to new horizons. But she wanted more.

"That same year I traveled to Europe, and I just fell in love,” she said. “I had to find a way to combine college with traveling.”

This realization led her to FIU Online, embracing its flexibility to fulfill her desire for travel and self-discovery—all the way to Spain.

A Second Chance with a Side of Tapas

At her mother’s urging, Monica moved to Barcelona, driven by a mix of educational goals, personal exploration, and the city’s proximity to other countries.

"I really wanted to take this second chance... and since I got accepted into the online Public Relations program at FIU, I thought, why not mix two things that I want, which are traveling and graduating," she recalls.

The transition was challenging at first due to a slight language barrier.

“Although I grew up listening to Spanish from both sides of my family, it was always tough for me to speak Spanish. It was a culture shock."

That didn’t deter Monica’s commitment to her new headquarters across the Atlantic. She quickly adapted, improving her Spanish while embracing every new challenge with courage and a sense of adventure.

Learning Abroad

Thanks to FIU Online, Monica was able to excel at her studies while soaking up life in the Barcelona sun and taking brief trips to countries throughout Europe.

"I was six hours ahead, which gave me extra time to study and finish assignments," she says, highlighting the flexibility she had to study from cafes or between gigs teaching English and babysitting.

Sure, coordinating group projects across time zones had its hiccups, but with FIU Online, Monica was able to treasure every bit of her experience.

As an online student, Monica maximized the opportunities and professional networks available through FIU. She actively took part in internships and events planning while developing digital marketing skills.

“I did a remote internship through the BOLD FIU agency,” she said. “It was an engaging experience, even if I couldn’t meet with others in person.”

Degree to Dream

Living in Spain not only enriched her academic trek but also influenced how she would apply her ever-piling skillset upon graduation. In the end, Spain clarified a drive to make a difference, leading to the creation of her nonprofit, The Literature Garden.

"We're nurturing young minds, one page at a time," Monica says, describing the organization’s mission to provide immersive reading experiences to underprivileged children.

This venture combines her passion for learning with a call to steer kids away from screens into books.

A Global Grad

December 2023 Monica graduated with her Public Relations degree from the FIU College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA), marking the end of a seven-year educational escapade filled with lessons on life, timing, and cross-cultural learning.

As the eldest of five, she's always felt the urge to lead by example, a trait that shines through in her work with The Literature Garden.

Monica Zenck's voyage illustrates how online learning at FIU allows you to pursue a degree at your own pace and on your terms, wherever you go.