Serbian parliament, my favorite building in Belgrade |
While I began my co-op journey with many anxieties, I am ending it immensely grateful for all that I have been able to accomplish through this experience.
Within my first two months in Belgrade I was given additional responsibilities at my co-op, learned enough Serbian to get around on my own, applied and was accepted to a fall study abroad program, and traveled to two new countries.
Fast forward to the end of my co-op and I've traveled to eight new countries, continued to expand my capacity in my co-op position, received an excellent exit evaluation, and returned home to start an incredible summer job.
I read a tourist guide a few months ago that described the city as "lived in" and couldn't help but feel that it perfectly encapsulated that particular brand of comfort the city exudes. |
Often described as "communist monstrosities" by my boss, even the bloks of Novi Beograd bring a smile to my face. |
To say that this experience will be the cornerstone of my Northeastern career would be the understatement of the year so instead I will sign off, for the last time, with a piece of advice given to me before beginning my co-op application process: don't choose the easy job. Don't choose the position that's just like your last internship or in your hometown. Don't shy away from an opportunity because it makes you nervous- if it doesn't make you nervous it probably isn't worth it.