Last year in Bologna
Around this time last year, the realization that my days in Bologna, Italy were becoming numbered startled me. With less than two months until graduation day, I still had to complete my M.A. thesis. Just as important, I had to ensure that I enjoyed those last 60 days in a place that I had already come to cherish. With the belief I already had post-grad life sorted, I set apart some time here and there to pick up my happy but not habitual hobby of photography. A friend would remark later to me that tourist photographers seem to believe that they can capture moments of their trips, to make it their own. Perhaps the sentiment is what I sought out. Nonetheless, the process of photography calmed me, separating long bouts of thesis writing.
Old Friends, New Places
When I graduated from JHU SAIS, the majority of my fellow students moved to Washington D.C. to complete their two-year degree. During a recent trip to D.C., these friends reminded me of the stress that emanates from balancing the reach for the finish line while realizing a career for the next life phase. Their efforts to find this harmony prompted me to reflect on my own journey. That wasn’t difficult to do. My stay in D.C. was only part of a larger business trip throughout the United States and Canada. Together with Klaas, the CEO of the small Dutch market research company WUA, we sought out new business in the U.S.A.. Though this has proved more difficult than anticipated, the ongoing attempt is an educational and exciting one.
With WUA, from Concord to Les Grand Massif
In the process, I moved back to Concord in the Bay Area in early February. It’s exciting to be back, and even better because I now live with my brother Kaj. After two weeks there, Klaas and I continued to Toronto and New York City for client meetings and a conference. With an exciting February closed, WUA flew me back to the Netherlands to reengage with my Amsterdam-based colleagues. How to do that? Well no better than with a trip Les Grands Massif in France for a company skiing trip.
Two days followed the ski trip, I had planned to fly back to California. Having only been in my new home for two weeks thus far, I look forward to settling in. A mix-up ensued, and in the 11th hour the company asked me to stay in the Netherlands for another month. After all, they said, I was scheduled to be back in April anyway. So why not stay? As can be the case, good intention doesn’t always translate to good decisions. For now, I don’t formally start my new tenure in the United States yet, but it is coming. When it does, it’s my duty to make business flow and to grow out a team. A team that works as partners, sticks to its agreements, and creates forward momentum together. That’s by my biggest challenge since grad life for now.
