Bailey Defoor

Arizona State student Bailey Defoor shares her story of joy and growth in New Zealand.

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When I was deciding where to Study Abroad, the classes at UoA are what
sold me! The University of Auckland, specifically, had two classes I was super
interested in (SOCIOL 326 and SPORT 305), and they are what made me come here.

My courses have really opened my eyes to just how isolated I am in the US. Being from such a big university, in a big city, in a big state, in a big country, it’s hard to stop and enjoy the little things. I feel like I am much more aware of my impact and presence in general here. It’s becoming very beneficial because it’s also helping me become more sustainable in the long run.

The community itself
is incredibly welcoming, and I love how close my flatmates and I are! I also
became the class rep for all three of my classes, so I feel fully immersed in
the community of UoA.

Not only are soft skills of studying abroad very important, but I wanted to see if I could handle leaving the country. One of my dream positions is based in Italy, so I would need to relocate. It is a huge commitment, and it takes guts to leave everything you know and head for something you don’t know the future of. This experience is allowing me to grow as an individual, which is something I truly needed to live my life to the fullest.