It's more expensive than a return flight, and it's definitely one of the scariest things I have ever done. I have no return date and since leaving a surprisingly comfortable journalism job, will have no paycheck upon my pending return.
Breaking into the unknown is something I have always wanted to do. Each time I have left a country overseas to return home to Canada, there has always been a feeling in the pit of my stomach. It has always been a gnawing feeling telling me I should stay.
In Ethiopia, I was only 18 and didn't really know what or how I would stay behind. During my reporting internships in both Ghana and India, I had to be back to finish up my strict diploma program for journalism at Red River College.
Now, nearing the end of my yearlong contract with a full-time journalism job in view, I am choosing the pack up, sell most of my belongings and leave for an undetermined amount of time.
Why? I know the phrase “why not” might be cliché but it works in the situation.
I miss the excitement and randomness of being overseas and my decision to try and get a full-time journalism gig after graduation instead of traveling was a hard one to make.
It has been 18 months since I have touched foreign soil, since I have bargained for a pineapple, or been so truly inspired by a person’s story that I have wanted to bet my life on writing about it.
I am hoping my multimedia internship focused on video production in Tanzania and my plans to wander around east Africa will cure my travel bug, but I have a feeling this is just the beginning of my adventure.
I am buying a one-way plane ticket and I am not planning on buying a return any time soon.
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