In A World of Possibilities, Why IFSA?
Choosing IFSA: Why the Program Was Right for Me
When it came time for me to choose how and where I wanted to study abroad, the possibilities were quite literally endless. My university allows students to study via a “Duke-In” program, an approved program, or you can petition for a specific program. The infinite options available overwhelmed me at first as I did not originally have a specific place or program in mind. I decided to study in New Zealand after talking with countless representatives at my school’s Global Education Fair and our Global Education Office.
Welcome to New Zealand
The thought of walking up to a group of people and not knowing anyone, absolutely terrifies me. Yet, somehow, I found myself in this exact situation while halfway across the world. Getting off the plane in the Auckland airport, I was filled with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. I made my way through baggage claim, customs and eventually to the spot we were told to meet. My flight was one of the last to land, so by time I had put my baggage in the transport truck, it seemed as if everyone had already met each other. Terrified of inserting myself into a conversation, I stood back away from the crowd of people and just made small talk with a girl who had also just arrived. Standing there in that moment, I was nervous about what the next six months might be like. Would I make friends or would I just be the girl standing in the back for the entirety of the semester?
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The IFSA learning plan was a really great way for me to make sure that I was continuing to get the most out of my abroad experience. Although I do not normally write down my goals, talk about my goals with others, or reflect back on them, I am really glad IFSA had me do all of these things. My check-ins helped me remember why I chose to study in New Zealand and what I hoped to get out of my experience. The learning plan encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new classes, meet new people, and do new things so that I could achieve both my academic and non-academic goals. My learning plan also reminded me of things that I feared, provided a space for me to talk about such, and revealed to me that my initial fears were actually not as bad as I had expected.