I still keep the boarding passes that changed my life forever, but if I had to choose one, the one to Orlando to work for Disney changed everything.
I worked for Disney for three months in the summer of 2012. I was 19 years old then, today I am 32 and that experience changed my life in many ways:
Motivated me to Learn more
It took me just a few days of work to realize that most of the people spoke additional languages other than their mother tongue, and not just one like I did. I realized that those same people were my age and that awakened me, I realized I could use my time to learn more things. Right after my return to Mexico, I decided to study French and do a Diploma Course in Translation.
Encouraged me to meet new people
Meeting people from around the world was an awakening. I started to meet people from countries I never thought I would and this made me realize that there are many interesting people everywhere to meet and connect with. I suddenly wanted to meet them all.
It made me Eager to Travel.
I suddenly realized that traveling was not limited to holidays or taking vacations off work or school, I realized that one can live and travel. I understood more than ever that the way forward was now to experience life while exploring and discovering the world.
Opened my eyes to New Opportunities
While working at Disney I realized that there was also a Disney program to work in China, from the day it was mentioned I was clear that I would travel to China undoubtedly after my bachelor’s graduation. And So I did with a Full Coverage Scholarship- that story is in a different post 🙂 I also have a video on my YouTube channel here.
Education Development
It was while living and studying in China that I traveled to Vietnam and I met 3 Dutch girls, one of them who told me “Hey if you want to do a master’s you should do it in the Netherlands” For that story there is another video here. Meanwhile, I will just say that because I met them I ended up applying to the Maastricht School of Management for my master’s degree. Since then, I have been here for at least 5 years.
International Work Experience
After obtaining a degree abroad, I had the chance to stay for work in the Netherlands for a year, I was doing a bit of everything, an internship, working in a cafe, until I eventually found my full-time job which I still have today.
Professional Development
After almost four years of working in the same company, I have grown from an assistant to a management position, a job in which now I continue to travel the world for work to new countries (Colombia and Peru), continue to meet new people, continue to grow, and so like that the international experience loop repeats 🙂
Go Now and Apply for that Experience! The sooner the better. <3
With love,
Sofia
