Chapters

This chapter of my life is almost ending.

It's funny how we say that--like our lives are books, separated somehow by page numbers and paragraph breaks.

Chapter 1: Infancy and Toddlerhood
Chapter 2: Elementary and Middle School
Chapter 3: High School
Chapter 4: College
Chapter 5: Graduate School
Chapter 6: Adult Life

When you're younger, the chapters are very distinct. But the older you get, the harder it become to determine when each section is ending and when each one is beginning. School makes it easy to divide my life into parts, but what happens when I'm done with school (in a week)? What will be the external variables that push my life into new phases, new places, and new perspectives? It might be a job, or maybe a significant other. Maybe family, or children, or finances. Friends, or ambitions, or faith. I guess we'll find out.

But the Graduate School phase of my life is ending. The chapter is closing, and I am forced to face the reality of pure, unadulterated adulthood. It's scary, but it's exciting.

Graduate School is sort of a gentle transition from college--the time when you think you are an adult and then find out you aren't at all--into the so-called real world. It's been a wonderful chance for me to come into my own, to really find out who I am, and to decide what it is that I want to do with my life.

College was the beginning of that learning process, but in many ways, I finished college confused. I had learned SO much about myself, that I couldn't make a decision about which direction to follow. Graduate School has bought me some time to figure that out, and I am grateful for the past two years at USC.

My job in the Study Abroad Office has been wonderful. Not only have my coworkers been amazing, inspiring people, but I truly love my job. Every day is different and the students make every day worth it. I have learned more than I ever thought possible about the field of international education and the processes of study abroad. I have become a professional with a professional identity and a code of ethics. I have figured out what kind of a worker I am, and what kind of people I like to work with. And I have come to understand what I love to do and why I love to do it.

Soon, I will be moving on. Moving to a new city, starting a new job, and creating a new life. I am anxious, exciting, nervous, happy, and scared. But I know that I am going exactly where I am supposed to be. How do I know? Because, I know myself. I know what I am passionate about, what makes me happy, and what I love. International Education. I am so honored and privileged to be a part of this field, to be a member of this collaborative group of globally minded educators all over the world.

I can't share details about my new job yet, but I am excited to start sharing this next chapter of my journey with you very soon.

I will keep you posted!