Customize Your Weekly Pathways Content As an international student, moving halfway around the world and living in a dorm room was
already a challenge. I had always been quite independent, since you have to be somewhat
comfortable living on your own if you want to go abroad. But that first semester hit me like a
truck. I felt homesick and confined to my tiny shared dorm in Northeast Residential. I did not join
any student organization or participate in campus events. I could not cook Vietnamese comfort
food to soothe that loneliness. I did not have the space to feel comfortable.
That environment bred my self-isolation. I knew I had to make a change. While scrolling through
the emailed newsletters, I found a UMass program on the Mount Ida campus that was exactly
what I needed. They provided an opportunity to work with employers in Law and Policy Justice
that did not require me to apply for additional work permits on my student visa. I also wanted to
start experiencing careers in the social sciences (I am a Political Science major), so I could start
planning my future career paths. Most importantly, it was a physical change. I got the chance to
get away from the daily routine that I dread and expand my horizon.
I worked at the Newton District Court, but my supervisor encouraged me and the other interns to
experience the outer and inner Boston courthouses to get a better understanding of the judicial
system in Massachusetts. It took me a while to gain the confidence to go on public transit and
walk around the city by myself. I was fortunate to have a friend in Boston who kick-started that
journey by walking with me around downtown. It was both an academically enriching experience
and a foundation for my confidence. I am so glad I took that leap of faith during my first
semester.
During the program, I lived in a single-occupancy dorm room with some extra space. I felt
fulfilled coming back from a long day of learning, listening to my podcasts without headphones,
making calls to my family to update them on my day, and feeling passionate again. I would find
comfort in the menial, like packing my lunchbox and cleaning the window to welcome the next
day. I was regaining my autonomy by being by myself. Not in a lonely way like before, rather, I
was at ease.
As my semester at Mount Ida was coming to an end, I knew I needed to continue feeling this
security if I wanted to have a satisfying life in college. I started looking for housing with a private
bedroom and a furnished kitchen on UMass’s Off-Campus Housing website and online listings.
This is where I had to be careful and put my legal internship training to use. I read up on tenant
laws and checked the ownership of the listings I was interested in to make sure I was not going
to get scammed. I even asked the civil clerks and attorneys at the court about what I should do
during each step of the process. I felt truly independent during that process. I was doing adult
things, weighing housing options and making a decision. Such an exhilarating yet stressful
process, and I’m happy I did it.
It was another of my leaps of faith that year that paid off. I currently live with two other
international students. We are familiar with each other’s cultural foods and norms. I get to cook
Vietnamese comfort foods with the plethora of seasonings and spices we share. And, I have the
space to be comfortable!
I will admit that I have been fortunate on my journey to independence. I found a program during
its inaugural year that was the perfect fit. I have friends and family who were supportive of my
choices. I live in an apartment with roommates who are respectful of our space. But to find this
path, I had to listen to myself. I saw unhappiness and made a change. I saw happiness and
found ways to retain it. I took that leap of faith and started moving my wings. And you will soar
when you listen to yourself
