After spending a little over two months in Korea and one month at home afterwards, I am more relaxed and self-aware than ever. My grandmother flew all the way from Korea to help me move in and get settled in my apartment in Back Bay, the heart of downtown Boston. Honestly, I feel so fortunate for the opportunities to live in a beautiful city, to work for a wonderful firm, and to have incredibly supportive family and friends who helped me become the person I am today.
I am more nervous than excited about starting my career. A Swarthmore alumnus, a senior whom I respect very much, gave me some great advice this summer about how we really only have about twenty years to dedicate to our careers, so we have to make the most of it. That really put things in perspective for me. But, he told me, “Don’t stress. No rush!” And you know what? I think he is right. It takes time for us to learn about ourselves, and it is the journey that matters much more than the destination itself, whatever that may be.
To wrap up this post: I am nervous about starting my next adventure soon, but I am excited to see the stronger and more knowledgeable person I become afterwards. Words really can’t express the gratitude I feel towards Swarthmore for the first-rate education and the community of bright, driven alumni. I can’t wait to give back to everyone who has given me so much. Last but definitely not least, a huge shoutout to my grandmother for making the tiring trek to Boston. Moving in would not have been as seamless if it weren’t for her. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my first days in Boston with anyone else.
