The Glory of Impending Discomfort

Many people keep asking me: what most excites you about your upcoming semester abroad? Each time I answer differently: I am excited to meet new people! I’m looking forward to seeing parts of the world I’ve never seen! I’m excited to try new foods and experience another culture! And while all of this is true, the real answer to this recurring question is that I am excited for discomfort. I’m excited to be somewhere I’ve never been, surrounded by people I’ve never met, all speaking a language I don’t (yet!) understand. And while it sounds bizarre to be excited about a feeling often associated with negativity, this impending discomfort has been driving me forward this past semester, as I looked forward to studying abroad at Copenhagen Business School.

According to Gardner’s famous Theory of Multiple Intelligences, human ability and mental capacity is multi-faceted rather than attributable to merely one characteristic or category. As such, the achievement of our best, most full selves requires experiencing diversity, embracing discomfort, and overcoming adversity. It is through becoming an exchange student at the Copenhagen Business School, immersing myself in a new, foreign culture and way of life, that I hope to achieve my full potential. Studying abroad in Copenhagen will allow me to gain personal insight into the world of business through a global lens. I look forward to expanding upon my cultural intelligence and competence as I take this next step towards attaining a holistic approach to education; one in which diversity and cultural awareness are at the forefront. Not only will I experience diversity through unfamiliar educational experiences but I will be fully immersed in a culture entirely different from my own and I am eager to take on this exceptional challenge.

Being able to study abroad is truly a privilege and one I will not take for granted. Learning in a new, foreign environment will provide me with the opportunity to interact with new people on a daily basis, as well as gain skills of mutual understanding and appreciation of diversity both inside and outside of the classroom. I intend to come in to this new experience with an attitude of “teach me” rather than “here’s what I already know” (or rather, think I know). As a foreign exchange student, I will be in a very vulnerable position. With this in mind, it is all the more imperative that I ask questions and allow my curiosity to lead to discovery rather than frustration and insensitivity.

This past summer I lived and interned in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was my first experience living in an apartment, let alone living in a foreign country, and coping with the cultural differences was, needless to say, a challenge. I quickly came to learn, however, that the best way for me to feel comfortable in this challenging environment would be to fully embrace it, its people, and their culture. Instead of holding judgement over others and refraining from speaking Hebrew, I came into each interaction and scenario with an open mind and heart and quickly came to learn that the intimidation I was feeling at the start of the summer was something I could have some control over. Instead of separating myself from my Israeli colleagues, I integrated myself into the community and practiced my Hebrew speaking skills with them. By the end of the summer, my fluency improved greatly and I truly felt at home.

To prepare for the similar challenges that I might face while studying abroad in Copenhagen, I have done extensive preliminary research on Danish history, the Copenhagen Business School, as well as daily life in Copenhagen. As I did in Israel, I will attempt to turn judgement into understanding and a learning opportunity. A major piece of preparing for my study abroad semester, however, has (and will continue to be) accepting the fact that there are many things in life that I have no control over and cannot directly prepare for. Accepting that fact and understanding that a healthy dosage of discomfort is an essential component of studying abroad, will be a key way I will manage the differences, challenges, and uncomfortable new experiences I will undoubtedly encounter at some point while abroad. For me, having a positive attitude about anything that might happen while abroad, even if something goes wrong or is very unfamiliar to me, will allow me to handle any challenge that comes my way and enable me to grow from the nuanced experiences I will have.

Through studying abroad in Copenhagen, I will proudly represent the Robert H. Smith School of Business and will return with new passions, a whole lot of stories, and some new ways to cope with – and even bask in the glory of – discomfort.

As I prepare for my semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark I will be sure to pack some good walking shoes, a water bottle to stay hydrated, my UMD hat (gotta rep!), my passport, my new polaroid camera to capture some memories and views, my travel journal, and of course a pocket Danish dictionary!