Some of you may know, but I thought I would make an official announcement of my latest life update. At the beginning of December in 2019, I applied to grad school and have since been accepted. Woo!

It’s been a long journey to get here because of the pandemic, but the time has finally arrived and I will start my program this September.

I knew as soon as I graduated from Eastern that I wanted to go to grad school. The only issue was that I wasn’t sure what I should study. With a degree in English Literature, I could have pursued any number of degrees. I considered continuing Literature, then maybe Technical Communications. But I have decided to pursue a MA in Publishing. This program is especially suited for me because I have always wanted to go into the publishing industry, but didn’t have the connections or experience, or the ability to work an unpaid internship, to get a step into the field. So I will study hard, learn a lot, and gain the much needed experience during this program.

This will be a new journey in terms of my education, while also functioning as a physical journey. This program is being offered at the University of Central Lancashire, which is in England. So yes, I will be moving across the world again.

You might be wondering, what prompted this decision? Along with wanting to obtain a master’s degree, when I came home from Korea I knew I wanted to continue experiencing the world. While I do enjoy traveling, I like the experience of actually living in a new place more than simply visiting.

So I thought, why not do both? When I was an undergrad, I didn’t take advantage of my university’s study abroad programs, which I regret. But I decided to create the opportunity for myself. Besides teaching English, there aren’t many other opportunities that would allow me to travel and work in other countries while continuing a career. I knew I didn’t want to create a career out of teaching English, so I began my research.

I recently learned from a friend I met in Korea who was English, that grad school programs in England typically are only 1 year, and are much less expensive than in the U.S. So I started my search there, and while I would not have been opposed to going to a different European country, I knew it was fate when I found this publishing program.

And as they say, the rest was history. I talked about it with my mom, mulled it over for a few months (that turned into a full year), and decided that this was the perfect chance for me. I’m working remotely and still living at home, so I am not as attached.

I am sure that most of you are not surprised by the fact that I will be leaving again. When I moved back home from Korea, a lot of people said they were surprised that I didn’t stay. While I am not going back to Korea, I decided that the world is my oyster and that I need to explore it and make all of the opportunities for myself that I could during the time in which I am still able to.

“Go on your path

Even if you live for a day

Do something

Put away your weakness”

“너의 길을 가라고

단 하루를 살아도

뭐라도 하라고

나약함은 담아둬”

No More Dream – BTS

Although right now it still doesn’t feel real, and I know I will miss my friends and family during this journey, I am really excited for this opportunity and am looking forward to what the next year will bring. I will continue on the path I have made, and will continue making for myself, and won’t let fear or doubts stop me.

On a more technical note, in case you are curious, I plan on moving September 12 to Preston, England (which is northern England) and will finish my program September 30, 2022. My current employers have also agreed to letting me continue my position remotely as well, which is nice. I guess the pandemic was practice for me in that regard.

Stay safe and stay happy! And expect many more updates of my life abroad in the future! Always feel free to ask me questions, as well.