Application Questions
1.
How does a study abroad education experience
fit into your academic/career goals?
I have
known since the age of ten that God put a calling in my heart to go into
ministry. It was around the same time that I began to have a heart for the
world. I was never really sure how this passion came about; all I know is that
it was the beginning of God’s work within me. My passion for the world included
a desire to go to Mexico, which finally happened in November 2011 when I went
to Mexicali, Mexico with 250 students, faculty, and friends of Azusa Pacific. I
spent roughly five days in Mexicali, where we organized and ran a Vacation
Bible School for the children at a local church called Manantiel de Vida (River of Life). Spending time with the children
and people of Mexico opened my eyes to the poverty and corruption that exists not
only in Mexico but also the world as a whole. My heart broke for the people
there and all I wanted to do was love on them and show them God’s love. I have
no doubt that we did this in the time we spent there. Being in Mexico and
enjoying it as much as I did was hardly a surprise to me. It is almost as if I
had known all along that I would enjoy it as much as I did. Being out in the
world has been and still is where I want to be. Spending three months
continuing my education in a place such as South Africa would incredibly benefit
my academic and career goals. While in South Africa my eyes would be opened to
a culture very different from my own. My eyes would be opened to the needs and
issues faced by those halfway around the world.
2.
Why are you interested in studying in this
specific location and program?
I am
interested in studying in South Africa primarily because I want to experience a
new way of living in which I would be fully immersed in the lives of the South
African people and culture. I am absolutely fascinated by others’ stories and
walks of life. I want to be in a place where I experience first-hand what it is
like to live in South Africa on a day-to-day basis. I want to learn how they
live, what they do, how they are treated, and what their fears, hopes, and
dreams are for their children. I want to learn what difference I can make as I
am pursuing God’s calling on my life to serve the poor, the unloved, and the
misunderstood. I have heard great things about APU’s South Africa study abroad
program and I have no doubt that if I were to go there it would be a
phenomenal, life-changing experience. I am ready to go beyond my comfort zone,
learn new things, and grow.
3.
How will studying in this location/program
influence your involvement in service and ministry opportunities?
One
aspect of the South Africa program that I truly admire is the fact that
approximately one month of the program is spent doing mission work. This is
exactly what I want to be doing when I go into ministry as I strongly feel that
the Lord is directing me into the mission field. Being in South Africa will not
only give me ideas of what to do in my own
future ministry, but it will also give me the connections with people and
programs that I will want to continue in the future. I am truly passionate
about community service, including providing basic needs to those without them as
well as sharing God’s love with the world. Growing up I was involved in many
food drives. I also volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission (a homeless shelter
in my hometown) on numerous occasions. During my senior year of high school I
organized and ran my own clothing drive, which was a huge success. During these
experiences I recognized within me a passion to serve others, which is why
studying abroad in South Africa would be the perfect fit. It would encourage and
boost my passion even further to serve others.
4.
What cross-cultural or personal experiences
have helped to prepare you for studying in a challenging, new environment? How?
One of
the most prominent cross-cultural experiences I have had was when I went to
Mexico in November 2011 for a mission trip with APU. Unsurprisingly, I adapted
very well to the Mexican culture. Taking three years of Spanish in high school
helped me immensely and I was able to communicate with the youth and Mexican
people we worked with. I enjoy working in cross-cultural and new environments.
Being in Mexico also challenged me on a spiritual and emotional level. I
enjoyed this as I push myself to step out of the box of normal, everyday life
and try new things.
Another experience that has prepared me to
study in a challenging, new environment has been my job as a cabin counselor
for 5th and 6th graders at the YMCA Camp Collins in
Gresham, Oregon this summer. Going into the position I had never been to the
camp before. I also did not know any of
the staff who were going to be there. The first week we had at camp was
Scholarship Week, which brought in youth from troubled, low-income families. It
was undoubtedly one of the most challenging weeks I have ever endured. Leading
and encouraging a camper with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and another with Asperger’s
along with eight other energetic campers challenged my patience, discipleship
skills, and leadership skills. As the weeks have gone by, I have continued to
grow in these areas and been reassured that I can handle environments that
change quickly. With camp schedules and campers changing week-by-week, I have
had to be ready for anything at all times.
The personal experience that has most
prominently changed my life was the death of my father in February 2009. I was
fifteen years old at the time of his passing. He died in an alcohol-related
crash and it is an understatement to say that his death changed my life
forever. Being thrust into a new way of living (whether I was ready to or not)
has shaped me for the better and made me extremely adaptable to change.
Although my family was not specifically prepared for the circumstances that were
to befall us, we chose to get up and keep moving forward, one day at a time. It
was God who helped us to adapt to the change that befell us. I am forever grateful
that we had God to be our rock when we needed Him the most. Especially since my
father’s death, I have been a huge support to my mom and younger brother, a
responsibility that I have taken seriously yet gladly accepted. My brother, for
example, needed a male figure to help guide and direct him through all of the
choices he has had to make. Although I attend a college that is thousands of
miles away from home, I am still very intentional about being emotionally,
spiritually, and physically present for my family.
5.
What personal hesitations or difficulties do
you anticipate within this study abroad experience?
The
thing I fear the most about studying abroad in South Africa is not being with
my close friends who have been my accountability partners and a huge support to
me during my time at APU. The toughest part about being home in Washington
State this summer has been not being physically present with my closest friends,
including those who support me spiritually and personally. Having said that, I
know that I would develop new friendships and find a new support system while
in South Africa. God has taught me to not be fearful of the unknowns in my life
because He has already laid out the path before me and He always has my best
interests at heart. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord
(Jeremiah 29:11). He has got me covered, as He does each and every one of us.
Another slight hesitation I have about studying
abroad in South Africa is the language barrier. I trust that during my time there
I would pick up on the language over time and also get the chance to teach
English to those who are not yet familiar with it in South Africa. Despite
these challenges I am excited for the change and new environment that would
challenge me and encourage me to be outside of my comfort zone.
6.
What are your top 5 Strengths from the StrengthsFinder? Pick one and describe
how you envision it being used or developed if chosen to be a part of this
Study Abroad Program.
My top
five strengths from the StrengthsFinder
test are input, belief, positivity, restorative, and harmony.
Positivity has been a strength within me that I
have noticed very prominently throughout my life, especially since I took the StrengthsFinder test at APU last fall. My
ability to stay positive would undoubtedly be challenged and continue to be developed
during my time in South Africa. I can imagine that there would be many circumstances
that would be foreign to myself as well as those around me such as uncomfortable beds, a lack of showers, or
strange food. Other circumstances would be a little more familiar such as academic
or relational problems. Although there are times when I do complain and focus on the negative, being in South Africa would
challenge me to see the positive in all situations, just as Paul suggests in 1
Thessalonians 5:18: “Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). This is a general goal in life that I
keep for myself and I would grow immensely in while in South Africa.
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