Up next in our graduation spotlights, we have Ayomide Fashola. Ayomide was an intern at our office during Fall 2020 and did amazing work while getting credit for her Psychology major. Below Ayomide shares about her graduation plans and how study abroad will impact her career:
1. What are your post-undergraduate plans and what do you hope to achieve in the future? — After graduating from Towson, I will be getting my Masters in College Student Affairs Administration at the University of Georgia. I have had an amazing experience during my time in undergrad especially with my involvement on campus whether that be within studying abroad, being an resident assistant, working as an orientation leader, attending LeaderShape and more. I have been blessed to be surrounded by amazing professionals who have encouraged me along the way and contributed to my success and I just want to be able to do that for future generations of students. My long-term goal is to be a Senior-Level Administration within a college or university. I want to contribute to the personal, professional and academic growth and development of students within a post-secondary institution!
2. What was your role in our office and what did you learn? — I was a Psychology Intern in the office. My main role in the office was to study the psychological, cognitive and cultural benefits of studying abroad and/or having a global experience. In addition, I was able to identify underrepresented student group(s) on campus and develop events/sessions to better support them. I learned SO much. I learned a lot about what it means to really consider and advocate for students. I found that it is always great to better support students who come from different backgrounds than you do. Many students believe that their identities are the factors that make it impossible for them to study abroad; which always is not the case! We have students who may be first generation, people of color, LGBTQ+ community, disabled and more. I learned to constantly assess and find ways that the office can better support these student groups. They deserve the opportunity to study abroad just like anyone else. I also learned, I just love sharing my study abroad experiences with students.
3. Do you believe you will be able to apply your study abroad experience to your future career? — Most definitely! As someone who aspires to work within higher education, working within this office allowed me to gain a glimpse of another office that I would see myself working in the future. I want to step into the field of higher education because I want to contribute to the academic, professional and personal growth of students. Within higher education, I would like to constantly advocate for social justice and equity in spaces for all students. Working in this office has shown me that I am able to do that even in the realm of international education. Prior to studying abroad and being an intern in this office, when I thought of social justice in education, I thought of it within offices like housing and residence life, financial aid and advising. However, students need advocacy too in the area of gaining international and educational experience in another country. Studying abroad and being an intern has made the vision more possible to do this kind of work in the future. I feel confident sharing and promoting study abroad to students I’ll be working with in the future, especially to those who feel discouraged because of their various identities. As a black, first gen, low-income student, I was able to study abroad. So my motto all the time is, “if I can do it, so can you”!
4. What career advice would you give to incoming study abroad students? —
- Studying abroad is a great boost for your resume! The SA office also has a workshop on how to market your international experience for professional opportunities, check it out!
- Only about 1.7% of students in the U.S study abroad! Meaning you stand out to recruiters of companies or admission officers. They will be interested in your experience. Be sure to take advantage of that and speak to your experiences.
- Studying abroad allows you to step outside your comfortable zone and helps you gain skills in cross-cultural communications as you connect with people who differ from you in terms of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation and more! This is greatly needed in the professional field.
5. Final thoughts? — My encouragement goes out to those who’s study abroad experience was either cut short or cancelled entirely before it started. I know it can be super discouraging and sad to think about. However, I know that things will return back to “normal” soon and hopefully you’ll be out taking advantage of what this world has to offer you! In the meantime, definitely connect and plug into what the SA office is doing. Their instagram page has posts of different events going on throughout the semester. You get to meet other potential study abroad students and also the amazing staff!
We are so excited for Ayomide and are grateful to have her as a part of our office. We wish you the best of luck, Ayomide! Check back for more spotlight updates! #TUProud #HowBigIsYourWorld