From Here To Anywhere

Hola todos!

These last couple weeks have been the start of many reminders that my time here is quickly coming to an end. I’ve reached the point where my coworkers and friends are asking me “What day do you leave again?” or “Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” and it’s been a hard reality to recognize that the month and a half that I have left here is going to be gone before I know it. If you know me, you know that I get very sentimental when things come to an end. So naturally, I’ve been subconsciously reflecting on the last year that has led to where I am now. 

I think it goes without saying that this experience is fully credited to my time at Belmont. Belmont prepares students to go “from here to anywhere” and I truly believe that my being here is proof of that. This time last year, I was walking across a stage, graduating from the most transforming four years of my life. During those four years I had the opportunity to learn from the most incredibly inspiring and knowledgeable professors, be involved in a community of like-minded and welcoming students, connect with organizations and individuals who are passionate about serving the people around them with the resources they’ve been gifted, go out into the world internationally to learn and grow in vastly different environments, and do it all surrounded by new friends who will be with me for the rest of my life. But, as promised, the impact of Belmont follows you far past simply walking across a stage. Being supported in moving across the world to work in social impact projects in a new country and cultural environment is a rare opportunity that I am grateful to have been given. Everything that was true about Belmont’s impact while I was on campus is still true while I am here in Argentina. Four years ago, I never would have guessed that hearing “from here to anywhere” would mean being where I am today, but I am so thankful for the way life has surprised me. 

As I watch the next class walk across the stage at graduation in just a few short days, I’m intentionally holding the remaining time I have here close to my heart. This time last year, I knew where I would be but I had no idea the true impact it would have on my life. While I’m bittersweet that it’s coming to an end, just as I was at this time last year, I am excited about the next chapter and all the learning and growing and incredible new experiences that will come with it. But, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I have 43 days left to live in another country, to soak in all the knowledge I can, to celebrate a culture different from my own, to impact this new community around me, to cherish all that has been given to me here in Mendoza, and to remember that I can go from here to anywhere. 

With love, Sarah