For a long time I was striving for this American ideal of corporate success. I was applying for jobs to reach that “next level” on the corporate ladder. It was only after not getting a promotion, that I had determined would make life perfect, that I asked myself if this was indeed what I truly wanted.
After much soul searching the answer was not only no, but hell no. Nothing about climbing this ladder or this ideal job was truly me, or what I wanted. I wanted to better myself, but I wanted to live life and experience the most out of it. I spent a lot of time really searching for my passion, where I wanted to go, and what I wanted to do; really, what would make me happy (more to come on happiness).
“It’s when life doesn’t go as you planned that you truly find who you are.”
I started to focus on personal goals, and how I could incorporate some of my outlandish dreams while continuing to bettering myself. While I’ve always wanted to study for a semester internationally, I thought this was an opportunity missed while looking at graduate schools for cost alone. After talking to a former coworker about his experience abroad, I was led on to an international masters program. It seemed to incorporate all I ever wanted; both affordable and a truly international program. I applied. What was there to stop me from my dreams besides me?
I was accepted to the school and program, I then set my finances in order, and in two weeks my life will be turned upside down. While I never thought I would quit my job/put my career on hold for more schooling, I have. In two weeks I will be to moving Wilmington, NC for a semester of school, and after one semester in Wilmington I will finish my following two semesters in Valencia, Spain.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new” -Socrates
I have never truly been to the Southeast, and getting the opportunity to live there for four months will be a great experience within itself; let alone on the beach in the sunshine of Wilmington, NC. More excitingly, I will have the opportunity to spend close to a year in Spain which has always been a dream (also on the beach and in the sunshine)!
Even without schooling the experience alone of this opportunity to live in the Southeast and Internationally in Spain will be worth it. However, I will graduate with both a Masters in Business Administration from University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Masters in International Business – International Marketing from Universitat de Valencia. I also plan on taking more Spanish courses to become affluent in Spanish by the end of my stay in Spain.
It is amazing to think how life changes and you change with it. The key is to keep your goals in mind, and never stop trying to find and better yourself. The life experiences I’m about to gain are going to be irreplaceable. Stay tuned updates when the real adventure begins!
“Life is a roller coaster, and sometimes all you can do is just hold on tight.”
Wolf In Pursuit 