As someone who graduated from college this May, beginning the MQM program made me more nervous than excited. I had just a one-month break between undergrad and flying 14 hours to the U.S. and a city where I hadn’t been before. Despite all of my fears, I stepped out of my comfort zone, embodying Team Fuqua without even realizing it.

My Uncertain Start

English is not my first language, and I am not an extrovert. Leaving my family, saying goodbye to all my friends from the first 22 years of my life, and pursuing a master’s degree all alone in a foreign country was overwhelming. I had spent half a year studying in New York with my friends, so this is not my first time living in the U.S. It was also not my first time stepping into a new environment and meeting new people, but this is the first time I’ve ever had to face these two things at the same time.

My mother, far on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, repeatedly urged me to integrate with my peers. But I was worried, even though I wanted to blend in, what if no one responded to me? Moving into my dorm at Lancaster Commons, my mind was occupied by this thought. The more I thought, the more worried I became.

A Warm Welcome

The first day of Business, Communication, and Culture (BCC), which is a program that helps international students adjust to school and life at, I was waiting for the shuttle downstairs when my fears came to life. A few students were standing together, chatting like they had already known each other before the program.

When I was hesitating on whether to join them or not, worrying about how I would get to Fuqua if the shuttle didn’t show up, a girl stopped by next to me. She asked if I was going to BCC with the brightest smile I have ever seen. I learned that Laura, from the Netherlands, was also an MQM student. I didn’t expect to chat with her, and we even took the same Uber to Fuqua.

If the story ends here, that I managed to carpool with peers to the school without being late, I would still count it as a happy ending. However, my story doesn’t end there. As part of BCC, I met so many people that I couldn’t remember every single person I had talked to by the end of the day.

Understanding The Essence of Team Fuqua

There’s no doubt that my peers are very talented. Many of them have had full-time working experiences, and as someone who joined the program right after graduating from college, I walked into BCC with some sort of impostor syndrome. As part of the program, each team had to deliver a case study presentation. I made the slides for our team’s presentation, not only because it was one of my biggest strengths, but also because my team members seemed way more familiar with analytical work.

I originally thought that, as long as they didn’t think I was holding them back, it would be fine. But Rafid, one of my new friends and BCC teammates, told me later that the slides I made were the best slide he’s ever seen, and that we were a very balanced team.

It was the very moment that I realized I was an important part of Team Fuqua, far before I even noticed. I mentioned the concept of Team Fuqua during my admissions interview without having experienced it, and used my imagination to understand what it meant. Now, feeling Team Fuqua first-hand has had a huge impact on me.

Here, hard work is truly valued, and we recognize and celebrate each other’s strengths. Being among peers like this, even though I am still worried about rejection or not doing well enough, I am able to show my strengths with confidence.

Showing My True Self

Introverts and extroverts may have different perspectives on socializing. For the latter, a simple greeting might be enough to start a long-term friendship. But for me, even though I wanted to be friends with more people, I always struggled with making new connections.

I’m thankful to BCC, as I would never have met so many peers without it. Since meeting Laura that one morning, I’ve shared many more experiences with new friends.

• Doing yoga on a farm with Minju, Celine, and many others (even some goats!)
• Went to Rafid’s place for a movie night with 30+ other people
• Explored Liming’s Global Market with Laura (where she bought almost every single item I recommended)
• Connected with Hina about our favorite YouTuber
• Went on a hike in the woods with nearly 40 people
• Had vegan curry with Laura, Peggy, and other girls living in Lancaster Commons

I’m more thankful to myself, who didn’t throw away my chances at making new friends and stepped out of my comfort zone. I often wonder if I hadn’t taken the same Uber with Laura on that day, I might still be trapped by the voice in my head that held back when trying to meet new people. Of course, there is no “if”.

My friends would never know that it is their contagious kindness and sincerity that have brought me closer to the kind of person I want to be. And I’m more firmly convinced that my peers are outstanding individuals, and as their friend, I am an excellent person too.