T-minus 14 days until I leave!
There's a whole other dimension to the next step in my life that puts me on edge. I am a college graduate. I have not only one, but two degrees, and I'm going to be an au pair earning modest monthly wages. Most of me feels that I am definitely making the right decision for me. I want to spend time immersed in the German culture with the end goal of becoming fluent. Don't get my wrong, my German is good, but it's not as good as I'd like. Even though I'm happy in my choice, I can't help but feel that this decision puts me behind my peers who had full time jobs before or shortly after college ended. Perhaps they're ahead of me financially, but I think I'll be ahead of them in the one category that matters most: satisfaction.
When I tell people about what I'm going to do in Germany, many of them have no idea what an au pair is. Once I explain it to them, most people seem genuinely interested and excited for me. However, a number give me a look that says it all - "That's what you're going to do?" There's a myth in our society which promotes the idea that college graduates must "have it all figured out." I, personally, hate this. Why do we need to have the entire path of our lives figured out by 22/23? That is absolutely absurd. I don't have much of an idea about what I want to do with my life. I'd obviously like to do something in the international sector, but beyond that, I have no idea - and there's nothing wrong with that. Perhaps I'll figure it all out within the next year, perhaps I'll go be an au pair in France for a year to give myself more time to reflect on my career ambitions. Whatever I decide, it'll be the best decision for me.
As my time here comes to an end, I've been thinking about what lies ahead. I found this article today, and I think this is going to be my journey too.
