Friday, June 10, 2011: Atlanta, GA
Tears streamed down my cheeks just one year ago as I traveled back to the United States from Tilburg, Netherlands - my home from January through June 2010. I was sad to leave my friends, sad to leave my cozy single room, and sad to leave this country that I had become so fond of.
While it was a truly sad moment, I was also anxious to get back to the States and see my friends and family again. I had two internships lined up for the summer, and was prepared to find a job and work my way out of study-abroad debt.
Arriving back in the States, I had some minor adjustments to make - first and foremost was driving a car again! After cycling for five months, it felt awfully strange to sit in the driver's seat and crank up the car. I also moved into my own place that summer - my first ever experience of living on my own! I had to learn to grocery shop in American grocery stores (where I could actually understand what kind of food I was purchasing) and keep a schedule in order to get to work on time.
I must say, adjusting to life in the States again was a bit rocky. Mostly I missed all my friends from abroad and our exciting adventures. I missed the lax life I had in the Netherlands. I missed being able to hop on a train to Amsterdam for the weekend. I missed cycling back to Verbs late at night. I missed coffee with the girls and drinks at Clancy's. I missed it all, and kept telling myself one day soon I would go back.
While I had to trust myself for months after my return that one day my dream of returning to Europe would become a reality, I began to investigate avenues that might make this wish come true. As I pondered my options for the coming year, I took a look into several international options. From internships abroad to au pairing to teaching English - I looked into it all. Then I realized I had another option on the horizon - graduate school abroad. I was busy preparing for the GRE and pestering various US institutions for grad program information, while simulatneously entertaining the idea of pursuing my post-bac education overseas.
I looked into several programs all over Europe, and eventually decided to pursue Maastricht University. Maastricht offered the program I wanted, is in a well-situated, gorgeous city, and would allow me to complete my Master's coursework in a year! This seemed like an excellent option.
However, there were several factors impeding my eagerness to apply. First, how in the world would I finance a foreign degree....just getting there is a huge cost! Not to mention, how would a foreign degree vibe with American employers if I decided to pursue a job in the States later on? These amongst other questions clouded my mind, and nearly turned me off completely from the idea of applying to Maastricht.
In December after completing five graduate school applications for schools in the States, my mind was more at ease and better able to weigh the pros and cons of attending school abroad. I began to think more seriously about Maastricht, and eventually talked myself into applying. Before I left for the semester, I asked my advisers for one more letter of recommendation (tailored to Maastricht) and stopped by the registrar's office to have transcripts mailed. While at home, I made the hefty application fee wire transfer to the university to apply for admission. I also began working on the scholarship application for the UM High Potential Scholarship - a.k.a. my financial means of being able to attend Maastricht. Without this scholarship, I could not go. Period. I knew it was a stretch, but I was ready to invest a large amount of time and energy to make this application stand out amongst other applicants.
Before the end of the break, I had heard back from Maastricht that I had been conditionally accepted into the Work and Organisational Psychology Masters program - woo hoo! I remember calling my roommate and screaming into the phone about how happy I was. Step one toward my dream goal - accomplished!
Returning to school, I was even more motivated to ensure that this scholarship application would be, pardon moi,
kick ass. I met with several friends who worked in the ASC writing center to go over my application essays and recruited my study abroad adviser to write another letter of recommendation. Finally, in March, I submitted all the documentation necessary for the application. Now all I had to do was wait!
Slowly but surely, graduate school decisions began rolling in. I was excited to hear about my acceptances to Radford University, UTC Chattanooga and George Mason, and promptly planned a roadtrip to go visit all three. Looming in the back of my mind was the option of Maastricht - seemingly more of a stretch every day. Of course Maastricht was my first choice, but I also had to think realistically and check out my options in the States.
I visited UTC and Radford end of March and liked both very much. I knew after returning from my trip that Radford was a great fit for me and the way for me to go in the States. I received a call from my adviser at Radford a few days later, in which I was offered a graduate teaching assistantship. This would make Radford totally feasible. I felt committed. I began telling friends and family and even rang the bell at Agnes Scott to celebrate the next step in my life - or so I thought.
On April 7, I was checking my e-mail quickly in the library before heading to class. My heart started racing as I saw a new e-mail in my inbox from my faculty adviser at Maastricht. Opening the e-mail, my eyes could not believe the first sentence, "We as a faculty have recommended you for a UM High Potential XL scholarship...." I continued to read the e-mail and discovered that I had received a full tuition scholarship to the University of Maastricht - this was it, I could go!!!
Barely able to breathe, I ran outside to the courtyard in the middle of the library and let out a joyous scream. I honestly could
not believe this. I was shaking, verging tears, and my mind was racing. I was not going crazy, this was real! I raced back inside, re-read the e-mail about three times and ran to class.
The next couple of weeks were a blur of thoughts - excitement, doubt, disbelief, fear, and most of all, nerves about telling my parents and family. As I gathered my thoughts and conducted more research about Maastricht, I prepared to tell my parents about my decision. They were proud of me for receiving such a prestigious scholarship and more than willing to help me figure out all the nuts and bolts of getting over there. I am thankful for such supportive parents.
The last month and a half have been busy getting preliminary things done for my year abroad. I have been communicating with staff and faculty at the university regarding my arrival, application for a residence permit, and all the other fun things that go along with embarking on an adventure like such. It has been a headache at times, but I am taking it one day at a time and know that it will all work out - after all, it did before, right?
So here I am, 74 days out! In 74 days I will again board a flight bound to Europe. I will leave Atlanta on August 21 for Dusseldorf, Germany - a city about 2.5 hours from Maastricht via train. My whole life for the next two years will be contained in a mere two suitcases and carry-on. I have a one-way ticket, since I am not sure the next time I will be back in the States. I am nervous, excited, somewhat terrified, but most of all, looking forward to the opportunity of a lifetime.
So 74 days....lots to do between now and then. Better get busy!
