Embracing New Experiences – Shae-Lynn Henderson

“I am fascinated by the brain and all of its complexity. I want to devote my career to finding innovative ways of understanding the brain and how that understanding can improve the lives of others. How we make decisions, how we lead, how we navigate challenges, and so much more is influenced by our environment and our experiences, which are largely shaped by our mind and brain. I chose psychology as my major because the program allows me to explore diverse topics that impact our everyday lives and allows me to work with people.

I started looking at colleges by exploring the field hockey teams at these schools. I met with so many wonderful coaches and teams, but Meredith stood out above the rest. I instantly fell in love with the team and felt so comfortable with the idea of being part of what the Meredith community had to offer. I was also excited about the prospect of building the field hockey team and being a part of the development of a new program. It has been the greatest joy to see the growth of every teammate I have had the privilege of playing alongside and the endless potential of the future Avenging Angels. 

Once I got further along in the application process and all the advising meetings, I only became more sure about attending Meredith. Every person I interacted with felt invested in my future and as excited as me to make my college goals come true. The Office of International Programs was and continues to be a resource that puts my mind at ease and helps wherever they can, and with a smile (and love). I think that is what is so inviting about Meredith, the eagerness and passion that I have seen from everyone, and wanting the best outcomes for each student, in however we choose to measure our success.

Being an international student from South Africa, I have faced many challenges when it comes to being far from home, missing my family, adapting to a different culture, and essentially starting all over again. All that I can say is that it never gets easier, but some things make you realize it is all worth it. I am grateful for the love, support, and sacrifices of my family, and also the community that has made Meredith a second home.

And I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone, immersing myself in new experiences that scared me, and for highlighting the international experience for myself and the many students to come. I think that asking for help can be one of the biggest challenges that many people face, but it also opened the door for me to meet some of the most influential people in my journey, make friends, and have the confidence to show up to every situation as authentically as possible. I have challenged myself to be more confident in myself and my abilities, and see the value of my experiences as an international student and as someone who has learned a lot in my college career. Showing up in these ways has not always felt easy, but I am proud to say that I am always working on it and getting better at it each time. 

My positions on campus have also enriched my Meredith experience and have fulfilled my goals for my time in college. I have had a variety of positions as a field hockey player, a resident assistant/community assistant, editor in chief of The Meredith Herald, an international ambassador, president of the psychology club, treasurer of PsiChi, and an undergraduate research assistant for a faculty-led study. Each of these roles has made me a better student, leader, teammate, and person. I have loved the opportunities to work with so many people and challenge myself in new ways every day. These positions have strengthened and given me skills that I will carry with me into my personal and professional life. I feel so fortunate to be able to say that I had my hand in such an array of activities and contributed to the growth and development of these organizations that will hopefully create the same, if not better, opportunities for those who fill these spaces next.

Faculty, staff, and other students have helped me grow during my time at Meredith. My college career has been my most transformative experience, and I have learned so much from every person I have had the opportunity to interact with and collaborate with. My coaches and supervisors have helped me grow as a leader and taught me the importance of quiet leadership. My professors have developed my professional and academic skills and opened my path to so many opportunities and branches of academia. The individuals whom I have worked for and alongside have helped me to explore the value of community, collaboration, and creativity. I have learned that we all have something to offer, and when we lean on one another and share our stories and experiences, it leads to the best outcomes. 

I have discovered that I am an avid seeker of knowledge. I am constantly asking why and what if? I think that for the longest time, it felt like indecisiveness and almost a weakness, but I realized that I am really excited about the possibilities, and I like to see the potential in ideas. As I look back on my college career and on the next steps I want to take, I realize that I took on a lot of the roles because I was curious about what I could learn from the experience and what I could achieve with my time in these spaces. With that, I discovered ways to appreciate the stressfulness and busy nature of my schedule, because I feel grateful that I got to do things that four years ago would have felt unthinkable or unattainable. 

So now, I am looking into a variety of options after graduation, including the I-O Psychology program at Meredith. I am also looking into different programs back home. I am interested in exploring the intersection of Neuropsychology and I-O Psychology.”