Booked for the Year

This past Friday, I got an answer for my academic exchange. Looks like I am going to ETS Montréal from September to December! I was rather sceptical about Montréal since ETS is a good school and I know that there is usually a lot of demand to go there.

For context, other options were open to exclusively mechanical engineering, but ETS was open to all specialities from the 3rd and 4th years. This meant a competition between 600 potential candidates with 5 spots available.

It was my sister who convinced me to put it as a choice. At first, I had not even included it in my top 4 destinations. The reason is a mix of not feeling legitimate and also the distance from all I know.

The reflection on that is what sparked the idea for today's writing. Why is it that if I do not feel legitimate, I completely discourage myself from even trying?

To be fair, during this school year, it is the second time that it has happened, the first time being when I was accepted to Safran. Still not completely over that yet, but now I am also thinking about moving to another continent.

What I am trying to take away from it is to ask. Just ask. Even if you do not feel adequate or deserving.

To end it, I will ask you the same question James Clear asked in his newsletter last week: "If you wait, will it get easier, or will you just be older?"

This Week's Suggestions:

🎶 "Are You What You Want to Be?" by Foster People:

These conversations sparked more conversations, this time with my other sister. We thought about this song, with the title and main hook, another rather poignant question to ask oneself.

Warm hellos from the Mediterranean coast!