Leila Mahfoud Khaouly

Yonsei  GSIS Newsletter, Junior Editor

The weather’s getting warmer, final season is approaching, and summer break is just within arm’s reach. While this is one of the most anticipated moments in a student’s life (finally finishing the semester and enjoying a well-deserved break), this anticipation tastes somewhat bittersweet when you know it will be your last time experiencing it.

As a fourth semester student, I am well aware these will be my last finals, my last papers, and my last long-awaited summer break. And while a part of me is very much looking forward to letting my poor, overworked brain rest a little, a heavy feeling of nostalgia takes over me every time I realize my journey at Yonsei is coming to an end.

I can still vividly remember my first campus tour, my first week of classes, waking up early in the morning on Mondays to attend the International Relations course at 9 a.m., and how I’d shrug every time someone told me to make the most of my time here because two years go by fast. I’ve always been aware of the volatility of time, but people were very right to warn me… these four semesters at GSIS have really flown by and, before I’ve even had time to process it, my last semester’s over and this beautiful journey is now just memories.

The me who started this master’s program and the me who’s graduating are two different people. Being so far away from home, I experienced many moments I could have never even dreamt of, but I also faced hardships that felt double the weight because of the distance. However, I treasure all these instances because they allowed me to learn and grow, and most importantly, build beautiful connections with wonderful people.

Almost at the doors of the graduation ceremony, I can’t help but wonder… what now? A flood of questions falls over me. Should I stay in South Korea? Should I go back home? Or should I go somewhere totally new? Do I want to continue my studies? Do I want to work? What type of job do I want? When do I start applying? The more I think, the more my brain’s filled with question marks, and it sometimes can get too overwhelming.

Closing a chapter knowing you will soon start a brand new one and having no idea what it will look like at all can be scary. Your mind goes back to all the treasured memories you made and a wave of sadness washes over you when you realize it might be a while before see many of the people who took part in those moments again. Everyone has different paths ahead of them now and things will certainly change, but, at the same time, the future is holding exciting opportunities for all of us. As bittersweet as graduating feels, when I think of all the new connections, experiences, and memories waiting ahead of me, the sweetness slightly overpowers the bitterness.

GSIS, you’ve been good, very good. Now it’s time to see where life leads me. And whether that’s back home, a new job, or another graduate school, I can’t wait for all the new things that I have yet to see.