How my mindset changed from the 2018 NYC experience to 2019.

*Written pre-trip*

Blessed, thankful, and lucky are just some of the emotions I felt when I learned I would have the privilege of attending the NYC experience trip for a second time.

Growing up as a fourth generation Oregonian, I never pictured myself living anywhere else, let alone moving across the country to live in New York City. Noooo way.

“I’m not a city girl”

“There’s no way I could survive there”

“I don’t have the confidence to handle living in a place like that”

“It’s way too far from home”

“I’m not tough enough”

These thoughts flooded my head when thinking about potentially moving to NYC after graduation.

As a junior, I jumped at the opportunity to spend a week in New York visiting agencies and learning about the industry. I knew I could handle a week. But it was just one week - the realness of graduating and truly being out on my own hadn’t yet crept into my mind. For that reason, the trip had a certain kind of blissful feeling.

Going on the trip as a senior.. that was a whole new experience. In January, I was fortunate enough to receive an internship offer at an agency in New York. Unable to pass up the opportunity, I accepted the position and it slowly began to sink in.. I was moving across the country and all those scary thoughts came rushing back. The bliss I felt in NYC last year immediately shifted to the harsh realities that come along with moving there for real.

As I prepare for this coming week, I am nervous, scared and excited. Most of all, though, I am grateful to have this opportunity that will allow me to hopefully get a little more comfortable and confident heading into my future.

- Sara Stember