Flor Avilez Escoto. Photo by Madison Baker.
By Madison Baker
Flor Avilez Escoto, a senior criminal justice major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, did not initially plan on coming to Bluffton University. She originally was planning on going to England to be a part of an ambassador program, but it did not work out.
She then met with a college counselor who told her about Bluffton. After visiting campus with her family, they all fell in love with the small town. She said it reminded them of their community back in Honduras, in Central America.
Escoto’s father has been involved in the government all her life, and she has seen what goes on within politics. Her interest in criminal justice was sparked from a young age by her family’s involvement, making no hesitation in what field of study she wanted to pursue here at Bluffton.
“When I started [in the program], I wasn’t aware of the different areas that criminal justice covers,” said Escoto. “What excited me the most is that no matter what I decide to do with it, I know I’ll be able to help others.”
She said she enjoys being able to apply what she learns from her professors to issues that are happening in the real world. For instance, when reading the news, she likes to analyze possible motives behind why a person commits a crime.
When not in class, she likes to be involved on campus. She is a Resident Advisor (RA), part of Bluffton’s swim and dive team and president of Bluffton’s Multicultural Student Organization.
“[My involvement] has helped me be more responsible, organized, and it taught me the importance of teamwork; how we all come from different backgrounds, so it is important to not judge a book by its cover,” said Escoto.
Escoto said there are challenges to being an international student. She shared that not having access to a car is challenging because she must rely on others if she needs to go somewhere. Despite having limitations, she said she is thankful to have a support system that has made her college experience great.
“I admire her dedication to her position as president of multicultural student organization,” said Leslie Beasley, graduate assistant working with MSO and hall director for Neufeld Hall. “She is reliable, honest, and kind. From the beginning of the school year to now, I have seen growth in her ability to speak up and lead our group, she is balancing a lot outside of MSO and she’s doing an amazing job.”
While reflecting on her time being an international student, Escoto said she has realized she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. She was first intimidated coming from a small country, but soon understood that her background and where you come from does not make you less of a person.
“The most important thing is no matter where I am, I know I can make an impact,” said Escoto.
She encourages anyone who is considering becoming an international student to do it because not everyone gets an opportunity to.
“Being in a different country makes you more independent and it opens your eyes to different cultures,” Escoto said.
Escoto plans to graduate in May of 2022 and is undecided on where she will be attending graduate school.
