I’m a senior currently applying for jobs and it’s hard. I decided to go to school with hopes of a better life and a high paying job, but there’s a good chance that I will work in a field I didn’t study.

I was talking to a friend who lives in Madrid and he asked me why I was paying so much money for an education when I’m not sure that I’ll even work in that field. He told me that in Spain, you choose between two routes at an early age (think sophomore year): technical skills education, or standard education which includes going on to university. Most people take the first route because that’s how you get the job here and waste less time.

I also want to add that the jobs here have a different value. There are no rich doctors, for example. You can focus all your energy on medical school and you can do okay economically, but not to the same extent in the states. As a doctor, you get paid the same as a teacher. There is not much difference in pay between dentistry and early education.

Now, I think it’s important to learn. I know the educational system isn’t perfect. So I want to share with you what my friend advised me: Pursue what you like. If you don’t know, take time to learn about what interests you. Don’t spend years of your life pursuing a ‘good job’. When students in Spain pursue engineering or medicine, it’s because they want to. Not because they see dollar signs at the end of the tunnel.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

 

 

So there is this thing in colleges where they do their own smaller version of the widely known TED talks and, here at NYU Madrid, we had a Ted talk just this week. I, unfortunately, was running late so I missed all of the speakers except one. But better late than never. The talk I did get to listen to was really good and it was about Instagram.

My peers and I, we are abroad in Europe. There has been a lot of traveling going on. A lot of partying. A lot of exploring. So of course a lot of photos are taken and a lot of these photos are taken for the purpose of posting them on Instagram. So much so, that trips are planned for the sole purpose of taking photos rather than enjoying the experience.

Literally, doing it for the ‘gram.

That’s our loss. We spend hundreds of dollars to take a photo and not to make actual memories. There is also this idea that without the photo, it didn’t happen. But I’ve had special moments in my life where I didn’t take a photo. Instead I made a memory.

Beautiful memories, just for me. No photo, but they happened.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

 

 

Have you ever drawn a map of your hometown?

And no, I don’t mean a map that is geographically accurate and to scale. I mean your perception of it.

Yesterday my professor had my class draw a map of Madrid. My map showed where I live and the surrounding area, where I went to school, the soccer stadium, my gym and the neighborhood around my gym. It also had where I interned and the nearby river where I would have lunch with my coworkers. It had Sol, which is Madrid’s Times Square, and two other neighborhoods I spent a lot of time in: Chueca and Malasaña.

This map basically reflected where I spent most of my time and where I neglected to explore. This exercise also allowed me to see what their Madrid was like.

I’m going to bring this back to when I did the Urban Design in London program hosted by my school. During this three-week program I was never in a classroom. Instead my professor took us everywhere and told us stories about everything.

While I was in London the goal was to see as much of the city as possible. My homework was to live; Go to events. See sights. Go out with friends. Experience London to the upmost capacity because that is how you can ever hope to know it. That is how you ever hope to know any city and its people.

Now, I share this because it’s interesting to see how restricted you get by your comfort zone and routines. It limits you. Be limitless. Challenge your barriers because that’s how you learn.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

 

 

It’s the last week and I am scrambling to get in as much time exploring Madrid before leaving. I had the luck of only having one final this week, and now all I have is time.

So what did I do? I went to the gardens near a palace for a walk. I got some chocolate and churros at the local favorite San Gines. I saw a show on Gran Via (Madrid’s Broadway). I did some last minute gift shopping. I ate at a Moroccan restaurant and visited a Mosque. Then, of course, I went out with some friends.

This entire week, I just want to take in as much of Madrid because I don’t know when I will come back, and Madrid has become my home away form. I will miss it greatly.

Which brings me to this: Savor life. Savor the moments when you’re with your friends and family. Savor the moments you spend doing regular things. One day, you may have to leave them as new life journeys unfold.

And that’s okay. Not everything lasts forever. That’s how life is, but be sure to appreciate each and every moment.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

 

 

I am Proud. I am one of many Latinas to graduate this year. I am the first in my family to graduate from college, let alone attend college. I am grateful that my parents migrated from Ecuador so I could one day walk the stage for a diploma. Thanks to their brave decisions, I have opportunities.

Now, many people think my life was and is perfect; but no. No one’s life is perfect. For me it was hard getting to that stage. I’ve felt stuck and hopeless. I grew up in poverty and I know racism all too well. I’ve had health issues and academic trouble. Many times I thought I’d drop out of school because there were days I had no money for food. I really had no idea what I was doing taking on mucho loans just to struggle for a B-.

Somehow I never gave up. My undergrad career may not have been perfect, but I somehow managed a GPA over 3.0. I gave my family a day to remember and I gave my fellow latinx, particularly my younger Ecuadorian friends, hope.

Just know that whatever path you choose, you can do it.

It’s not about how well you go through the storm, it’s about getting to the end.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

 

Right out of college and life is great! No more homework. No more tests. But wait, what’s this?! Debt.

If you took out student loans to get through college, chances are, about the time you graduate, you are given a link to an online activity. It helps you learn about your loan options and helps you add up how much you owe. This usually happens about the time you graduate.

I’ve always felt that education is something worth investing in, and I always felt hopeful in regards to my finances. But then, I really looked at my options, how much I owed, and realized how hard it is to get a job. On top of this, what about rent? Phone service? Internet? Water? Electricity? Food? Medical insurance? What about my dream of getting a PHD? My family?

Life got real. For a bit, my mind went south. Brought on by fear, negativity began to set in. Many worries and doubts spread poison into my head.

I need to get a job. I need to get a job. I need to get a job worth my degree. I can’t settle for less.

Then my dear cousin talked to me. He saw how worried and desperate I felt. He reminded me that I can do it. If I set my mind to it, I can do it. He said that my bigger problem now is my fear.

I mean, it’s like driving. You can handle all types of situations better if you stay calm and act accordingly. It also helps to have a good support network to help you see clearly through times of stress.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

 

 

After a period of adjustment, I can honestly say I love living in Madrid.

People are nice, but direct and they expect you to be direct. If you ask for their opinion, whether positive or negative, they will tell you without hesitancy.

People expect you to be proactive. Here’s an example: At work, your boss will mention he’s going out with someone for lunch. Normally, in the US, that would be the end of it. In Spain, you are expected to invite yourself to join them, too.

I’ll be honest, my Spanish is a little bit of an obstacle; which is actually weird because, well, Spanish is my first language. My family is from Ecuador and I grew up in an area dominated by Latinos, so I can speak Spanish. So then, what was wrong? I didn’t use it often.  I found my vocabulary limited.

It was tough at first getting conversations started –  what do I talk with Spaniards about beyond how things are in the states? Life here isn’t centered on what is going on in America, but what’s going on in Spain.

So what did I do? I read the news. I asked questions. I pushed myself to immerse myself in the Spanish language and culture and to ask millions of questions.

I adjusted. I eat Spanish food. I watch Spanish television. I read the Spanish news in Spanish. I use their slang.

It’s just what I’ve been told before: the best way to get to know a city is by getting lost in it. Hence, I explored Madrid so that I could become more familiar with my surroundings. I walk everywhere and anywhere because putting yourself out there is how you learn and grow.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

A little while ago, I was in Morocco for Spring Break. I went with three of my friends and before leaving our parents expressed concern about our safety. We went regardless.

Our rule for the trip was to stay together. Our goals was to get through it without getting completely lost, not getting robbed, or worse. As tourists we’re targets and we knew that going in. Also, we had no phone service or access to Wi-Fi. None of us knew Arabic, but two of us knew a little bit of French and luckily people would know some English and Spanish.

While there we got a lot of attention. We were all obviously foreigners and all young women. People would comment and stare because we all looked different. Kids would point and ask questions. Guys would stare, comment, and even propose marriage. It was funny and uncomfortable at times; but in the end it was all fine because we stayed together. We used our common sense.

It’s scary to be put in a country where you don’t speak the language and up until Morocco, I didn’t have that problem. I had to work with what I knew: hand motions, body language, and limited French. It was exhausting and frustrating, but it was an amazing experience.

We experienced a different culture. I was able to try their delicious tea, listen to the beautiful call to prayer, and meet some wonderful people. It was well worth the trouble.

If you ever get the chance travel and move beyond the confines of your comfort zone. Don’t let fear limit you, but please be smart about it.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com

 

 

Welcome to my blog – where I will be talking about life, resiliency, and my own experiences.
So to start things off here’s a little bit about me:

I am currently a college student studying abroad in Madrid. I love huskies. I like to lift heavy things and eat peanut butter; but not at the same time. I’m an artist; mostly illustrations and photography.
I have been working with Best We Can Be to help students develop resiliency for some time. Now I am also writing a blog and have this amazing opportunity to interact with you directly. I’m excited!
I’m at a stage of my life where I am still trying to figure out who I am, what I want to be and how to even get there. It’s a very interesting time for me and so I want to share with you everything. Almost everything. I want to share some of my world with you because that’s what I feel the purpose of life is: to grow, create, and give. Whether it be physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, professionally—in every way we grow, and we don’t stop. On top of that we create: from ideas to memories to art to actual items. And then we share: we tell, we teach, and we inspire.

What I hope to do, aside from telling you my thoughts and stories, is to inspire and advice you. I am here to support you as you get through school and life in general.

Comments? Questions? Contact Jenesis at: Dear_Jenesis@netsafeid.com