My Next Adventure Abroad

I have big news...

School of Public Policy, Central European University

with a water bottle to boot!

I moved to Budapest, Hungary for grad school!

Now that classes have started, I realize it's been awhile since I've put pen to paper as a student rather than a teacher. I'm not going to lie, it's been a rough couple of weeks. Typically optimistic, I'm not one to throw in the towel, but I've come quite close a couple of times already.

I've given up a lot to come here; putting a perfect relationship in limbo as well as putting a strain on my other friendships, not being able to take care of my cat Oliver, my life savings on top of my freedom from student loans, and good ol' Mexican cuisine (mucho importante!) to name a few. Yet, this also reminds me of what I gained when accepting my fate as a grad student; learning from extremely diverse and experienced professors and classmates, putting off adulthood to live in Budapest, getting out of my comfort zone in trying new things, and meeting new friends.

I'm currently enrolled in 8 rigorous courses and boy did I forget how hard being a student is. I remember literally shaking out of fear after one class and running out crying after another, and that was just today. I'm not used to not knowing, I'm used to being the facilitator. I hardly know everything, far from it, but this role reversal is taking a toll on me. Not to mention dealing with all the beauro-crazy in getting my residency permit and not being in the same time zone as my support system back home (hi Mom!). Moreover, I don't quite feel like I fit in since it's easy to feel overshadowed by some of my classmates' backgrounds, ranging from law degrees to United Nations employment.

What are thoooose?!

Classmates

Then I remember, 1700 applicants were chosen for around 50 spots in my program and I was picked. Even if I may not deserve it, I sure plan to take advantage of it and learn as much as I can before they realize and kick me out!