Ajani McIntosh
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Sports Admin & History Major, Coaching Education Minor
Program: UNC International Sport Managment
Location: London, England
Email: ajania@live.unc.edu
Term: Summer 2022
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I had been looking at this program since my freshman year at UNC, but when COVID hit, the program had been cancelled and Professor Malekoff who was led the program had retired from UNC. Fortunately this year he came back just to lead this program and it was able to happen.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that sometimes that I should be more spontaneous, some of the best experiences that I had during the program came from just staying yes to things. A couple of my roommates were planning a trip for after our program ended and had invited me to come, and I had said yes and had the time of my life traveling Europe with them.
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
I was able to go see my favorite football (soccer) team, Chelsea FC, play on my birthday, and afterwords went go celebrate with the friends that I made during the program.
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
There are people at UNC and abroad who are there to support you if you need it. It's a good thing to get out of your comfort zone and to expand your horizons, so try new things and be open to spontaneity.
How do you identify?
Student of color, Covenant Scholars, Heritage Seeker, Scholarship Recipient, Rural County Resident
Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
Both of my parents were born in Jamaica, and I have family that ended up in England that were part of the Windrush Generation (People arriving in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries have been labelled the Windrush generation.) To help fill post-war labour shortages. I was able to see my great-grandparents, and other extended family and learn a more about my family history while I was abroad. I was also able to meet a familiy member of mine who was participating in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, representing Belize. This was the first time I had met anyone in my family from Belize so it was an awesome experince.
Memories
