Do you believe in magic

By: Ana Jimena Hernandez

Life is about learning and that is why it has challenges that make you stronger. Step by step with every lesson you realise you can do more. Last post was about being ready for a travel adventure, I was ready more than a year ago and many things have happened since I got here.

Let me tell you part of my story, because I’m pretty sure magic happens when you believe in it. 

Step 1. Looking on the map. I had made my decision and I knew I wanted to
leave home to get to know the world. So, I checked the map and I found there
was endless possibilities which made my job harder. I took my time and the pin
landed here. 

Step 2. What was the main goal of my trip? To work, study, have fun or run away? I think I wanted everything. So, what I did was make a priority list, so as make the process much easier and then I knew it.

Step 3. I’m over 30 (Just to give you an idea) and I’ve learnt that if you wish something from the bottom of your heart and you really work hard to achieve it, sooner or later you are gonna reach it. If you believe in something,
you must be faithful and trust that the time the universe chooses for you is the perfect time, although it could take more than you thought at the beginning.

Step 4. Believe in yourself and Jump!

A few days before and some days after I arrived in Melbourne, my stomach was full of butterflies and bumblebees. My first time traveling alone, no family, no friends, full of nostalgia but amazed by everything. I was scared and surprised. I was excited and worried about every unknown thing that surrounded me.

The first week was full of emotions and it was hard at the beginning to handle them. I can tell you I cried after my first shift at work (I work as a waitress in a Karaoke Bar), but at that time I didn’t know how Lucky I was to have found a job like that. 

Nobody tells you the ugly things about leaving home and going to live overseas. Of course, the experience is great, of course the landscape is different and beautiful, but there are many things that you must face, and it takes time to understand everything. My main goal was to learn English and when I had the opportunity to start
writing I was happier than ever.

I’m writing for the school blog, but I must say, honestly, Discover English made my beginning wonderful. Melbourne wouldn’t have been so great without Discover English. I was truly happy at the school. The teachers were great, class mates the greatest and the classes, I had so much fun in those classes, that I’m very jealous now of everyone who is studying here at this moment. This city is beautiful and huge for me, and of course I’ve got lost plenty times, I still do (Google maps hates me), I’ve been struggling with the weather as same as some of you have done. I love summer but this city loves cold. However, I’ve learnt so many wonderful things here, that I must thank this place and all of it.

I came here with a luggage of fears and questions and this year has been great to teach me how to get rid of those fears and how to answer those questions. I don’t regret for have cried like a baby when I arrived (some of my friends back home wanted to kill me for that), because we all have a process, a lesson to learn, an adventure to live and I didn’t know it when I was looking on the map trying to find the best place to go.

I can say that even when Melbourne is amazing and people around the world knows it, it is not only about the place you are, is about how you face it and how you start to believe in yourself and your dreams. I’m happy to come from a small city because everything is new and wonderful to me. If you come from a big city, feel proud of your skills to face the big city challenges and try to help others like me to do it. I’ve made beloved friends here. Friends for life and that is priceless. If you are scared don’t be, or at least don’t let your fear hinder your dreams. Living overseas is something everyone should do, at least once. Coming here is the best thing I could ever have done, and I feel proud for every lesson I’ve learnt and for the person I have become.

My journey has been magical, and yours could be the same, you just need to be patient and believe.