Online students can do it all
In a world where the demand for digital immersion online offerings has increased exponentially, giving students the ability to have the broadest and most robust experiences possible on their journey has become essential.
Anne LaForti knew she wanted to get a graduate degree, but wasn’t sure which degree was best for her. With a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a job at a global corporate real estate company, Anne’s focus was squarely on future sustainability and ecological restoration. During her search, Anne found the ASU Online Biomimicry graduate degree.
Online wasn’t the first choice for her, but after searching for the right degree in her local area, the only pathway Anne could find was through digital immersion learning. While she was concerned about heading into a science-heavy environment, Anne also knew she wanted to be considerably more hands-on in her graduate degree taking real and meaningful action to make a difference.
She will tell you that online is not always easy, particularly since much of Biomimicry relies on interdisciplinary group work and diverse skills, but she’s been able to make her own network and connections through her classes and through joining Biomimicry focused groups or “nodes” in her own area.
These networks — particularly those outside of class — allow Anne the path to create integration and mastery. Through these networks and communities she is able to look at the information that she learns in the online classroom in different ways, resulting in a deeper understanding of the content.
One of the activities that Anne was able to pursue to augment and build upon her digital immersion education was the Biomimicry 3.8 workshop in Costa Rica. She applied for, and was awarded, a scholarship for the immersion adventure.
While Biomimicry offered a wide varied of Global Intensive Experiences in different areas, Anne was happy to be able to pursue Biomimicry 3.8 in Costa Rica. She indicates that from the beginning to the end her immersion was a seamless experience.
As someone who had not traveled vastly in global settings, she entered and prepared for the immersion with some of the same nerves and apprehensions as others who might sign up for these experiences, but indicates that throughout her time in Costa Rica snorkeling, hiking and learning, she felt safe and supported by the faculty and staff.
While in Costa Rica she spent her time with her peer learners studying the leaf cutter ant. She observed the adaptations the ant makes to maintain colonies by maintaining constant temperatures, creating waterproof mounds and growing their own food source.
She was also able to provide mentorship, guidance and insight to her peer learners (a group comprised of multiple levels of learners from all walks of life, focused on learning about and understanding Biomimicry), as well as learn from them herself.
The peer camaraderie, support and hands-on experience resonate with Anne to this day. The experience was able to provide her with a new and fresh perspective to continue to build her learning as she finishes up her degree.
Anne is focused on making a global impact. Her global immersive experience allowed her to put hands on effort into practical and real applications of her coursework so that she can use those experiences to continue to make a difference in her company and her community.
The best part — it was only five days, so it fit into her schedule easily and seamlessly. To Anne, the opportunity to share information and insight on sustainable innovation through her study of Biomimicry was made infinitely more real by her global immersive experience undoubtedly leaving her with a lasting impact as she completes her degree.
Global Immersion Experiences and Study Abroad opportunities are available to all of our online students. They represent our focused effort on providing meaningful content to students wherever they may want to go. Find out more about Global Immersion and Study Abroad at https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu/ and sign up for your own experience!