A journey of growth and discovery at NMIT

“Seek discomfort.” That was the phrase printed across the back of the hoodie worn by the person in front of me as I waited for my coffee on a cold autumn morning one year ago. I had been toying with the idea of studying abroad the next fall semester but something in me kept pushing it off. But those two words printed in glossy lettering on the back of a sweatshirt pushed me to apply to study here, at NMIT.

At the time, it wasn’t that clear to me why those two particular words gave me the final nudge to study abroad, but now as I end my semester abroad in New Zealand, I understand how beneficial it was to step out of my comfort zone and actively seek discomfort. 

The truth is studying abroad is uncomfortable. As someone who was born, raised, and studies in the same town, leaving everyone and everything I have ever known to live in a country I barely knew anything about was scary. I had based my identity for the longest time around the surroundings and people I had grown up with.  Albuquerque, New Mexico was the only place I knew that I could call home, and not only was it where I lived, it was who I was. Packing my life up into two bags and traveling halfway across the world forced me to rebuild the concept of who I was without my familiar surroundings. In a new country, without knowing a single person or place, I was completely disoriented. I didn’t know where, or frankly, who, I was.

It was uncomfortable. But within this feeling of unfamiliarity and discomfort, I grew. With time, I began to rebuild my concept of who I am as a person without my familiar environment or people around me. I became good friends with fellow international students who were experiencing the same feelings I was. I met with locals in the area and became accustomed to “kiwi slang.” I experienced the breath-taking nature of this country, I learned the true joy of marmite on toast with butter, and the relaxing feeling of a morning tea break during classes. 

I have learned a lot about myself these past couple months, so much more than if I stayed in Albuquerque. Having to build a life here in Nelson, experience a completely new culture, and learn from the perspectives has burst the bubble I was living in back home. Growing requires discomfort and discomfort requires change. Stepping out of my comfort zone and really seeking out the underexplored feeling of discomfort is what has led to the greatest growth in myself both as a student and as a human. I am immensely grateful for the back of that person’s hoodie I read on that autumn morning, and I’m grateful I actively sought out growth and change by taking the opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand.