Here at ACA Summer, we encourage exploration outside of your comfort zone. This can look unique for each individual. First, what is a comfort zone? Comfort zones are defined by a psychological or physical construct that we have been conditioned to learn. Comfort zones are needed for us to feel secure and safe. However, not changing or expanding our comfort zones can keep us stuck and stagnant in our further overall growth.
Below are ways that ACA Summer Programs encourage growth outside of comfort zones:
- Expands awareness. A new place delivers a new culture. Our awareness is expanded to observe and experience how others live.
- Get out of habitual day to day mundane patterns. New activities, new places, new people all give an opportunity to get outside your normal day-to-day routine.
- Get to know yourself. Who are you now? When we get out of our usual routine and friends, we are given the chance to create a new identity around what we love.
- Our choices are often influenced by others and the environment we are in. When we leave that environment, we are left with all new possibilities. You may discover something totally unexpected about yourself and what you enjoy.
- Inspire creativity, motivation, and inspiration by meeting people and experiencing new cultures that you otherwise wouldn’t interact with.
All these combined, create a more well-rounded person. These are things that will work in your favor when it comes to your university application, career search, and overall, well being.