Embracing a Fresh Start: New School Year, New Us!

Life gets busy sometimes. So did these past few weeks. Lots of things going on with both of us that made it quite difficult to really sit down and write our blogs. For both of us school is starting again and we both have some exciting changes in our lives that we are happy to talk about and share.

I'll (Marit) start out by updating you on what's been going on in my life for these past few weeks. For the entirety of the summer, I tried to find myself a GA (graduate assistant) position back at Lewis University. I kept receiving rejections from basically all positions I applied to for different reasons. The most common reason was that they were hiring someone who could be their GA for two years instead of just one. Time was cutting it close though. I only had four more weeks until I was due to leave for the U.S.A. with Michael and I still had nothing.

My parents and I left for vacation and I had an interview planned for after vacation. During our trip, I wasn't really worrying about it because there wasn't anything I could do about it at that time anyway. When we came back Michael came to visit us for two weeks and he would then go back to the United States. I was supposed to fly back with him but I wasn't gonna book a flight until I knew for sure I was gonna be able to come back with him. Two weeks pass and I still didn't know. I said goodbye to Michael on the 20th of August expecting to at least see him in the following week.

Chantal, my sister for who doesn't know, encouraged me back in April to at least apply to a master's program here at home in case things didn't work out. I was a bit pessimistic about that because I was rejected from their programs last year as well. Anyway, I applied and received an email that I made it through the first round. I was invited to take a statistics test in Rotterdam and if I was selected after that test I would receive an email to accept the offer. I had not heard anything all summer so I just assumed I was rejected. Strangely enough, I kept receiving emails about adding a payment plan.

The day after Michael left I decided to follow up with the Erasmus University in Rotterdam to ask what the deal is with the emails. Turns out, I had been accepted into the program as of June 1st but never saw the email because it went to the student email address from the school, while all other communication went through my personal email.

Basically then and there I decided to stay at home and start the program I've wanted to do since I was a 12-year-old girl. The program is called "Forensic and Legal Psychology" and it's being taught at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. School starts September 4th so I still have a bit of a break which I am gonna use to get adjusted to the idea of being permanently at home again and just preparing myself for this new adventure!

The toughest thing about this situation though is that Michael and I said goodbye thinking we would see each other again this week. Now we are gonna have to wait until Christmas. I know the distance will be difficult sometimes but it is only a year!

For me, Leah, summer was extremely hectic. I moved back into my grandmother's house as I was kindly pushed to live with her throughout the summer to be there for her after my grandfather's death in February. I agreed as I did not really have a second option and I needed to continue working this summer. My main goals this summer were 1) to continue working to support myself and 2) to find an apartment that both Hunter and I could afford so we could have our own place going into school.

Goal one was easily accomplished. Most weeks I worked 40+ hours between my two part-time jobs. It was and still is mentally draining; however, time management has become my friend. One perk was that I was able to attend the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) national conference in July in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here I presented a poster and learned so much.

Goal two was a bit harder to accomplish. Without having an annual income of greater than $50,000 most apartments required a co-signer. With this situation I ran into several road blocks because when I finally found one I could afford none of my extended family felt that I was worth the risk to co-sign for. However, right when I was so close to giving up affairs fell into order and my dad was able to co-sign for us. Now, I have the apartment - a safe haven / a place to have some quiet.

My last year of graduate school is upon me. My first week was last week. I am excited and anxious for this year. I am excited to have my Master's degree completed, but also anxious because I do not know where that leaves me come May 2024. For now, I am just embracing my last year and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.