Why you shouldn't call me brave

Before I arrived in Indonesia all I kept hearing were different versions of "you're so brave"

Let me be clear- I am by no means brave for choosing to spend my year in this beautiful country, rich with culture and kindness, I'm lucky.

For those unaware of how I got here, it all boils down a dinner conversation and a few emails.

This past April I, like many soon to be graduates, was experiencing a mid-youth crisis. The idea of the safety net of my parent and school not being there on top of the stress of finding a job put me in the cycle of post grad panic. Not only was I looking for a job, but I was trying to find something that paid enough for me to survive on my own, pay off student debt, as well as put money away for grad school- a seemingly impossible task. The constant resumé tweaking and applications terrified me, and I reached a point where I wasn't even sure if I knew what I wanted to do anymore. And then Dr. Shad fixed everything. We were both attending dinner at the home of the interim President of Washington College in mid April and I was seated across from my professor. I jokingly asked if he was going to find me a job and he responded with, "I know of something that will interest you." 

A few dozen emails and one skype call later, I was buying a one way ticket to Indonesia to work at the Sekolah Sukma Bangsa Pidie in Aceh, Indonesia*. Before agreeing to come to Indonesia Victor ,the school director, was kind enough to walk me through every aspect of living in Aceh and working at the school so that I would feel comfortable. It is because of Victor and the schools kindness and generosity that I get to sleep in an air conditioned room every night, eat delicious food, and have wifi. In all honesty- I'm being spoiled.

Without the help of Dr. Shad and Victor, this year of new experiences would be impossible. So please do not tell me I'm brave, because I'm not. I still make very expensive international calls to my mom when I'm sick or having a hard time, I still use my MacBook Pro and my Iphone to check social media and iMessage my friends, I'm still so connected to my life at home- the only difference is that I'm in another time zone.

Being away from home does not make me brave. being in Indonesia does not make me brave. I am lucky to know the people I do and have the opportunities that I have. I am lucky to work for an amazing school that encourages cultural exchange. I am lucky to have parents that let me wander around the globe and tell me to do and be whatever I want. I'm lucky to have friends that can handle long distances and short visits home. I have more support now than most people get in a life time.

It doesn't take bravery to do what I am doing, and I know there are a lot more people braver than I. 

*Sukma Bangsa Pidie is a K-12 institution that works with children affected by the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. My primary role there will be to continue their English language program (for both students and staff) as well as to promote cultural exchange