Directing life in the pathway you dream

by Donjeta Shala (Hungary)

A leap into the unknown Hungary

It all started back to 2017 when a newly fresh graduated high schooled from a country with no further opportunities, Kosovo, had her choices faded for changing her life. I was hoping that the education will open my doors and I could explore more, but the country was the main issue. It was hard work to keep the best grades, being active student through the class and to finish successfully final exams for registration at University. But I found out that I was the 3rd on the list of unaccepted students despite my excellent records, and that was the worst feeling I’ve ever felt for my own self. My future was broken in pieces moreover the worst thing was that I wasn’t able to pick them up and start over again. I even didn’t know how to approach to my family and tell them about it, while they’re back at home throwing a party for my acceptance I was blaming myself for not being good enough. Eventually I reached at home and calmly I said to all of them; “I’m not accepted, the number of regular students was high so I’m the 3rd one on the list of unaccepted, I’m sorry!”. All of my family members looked at each other and just hugged me, giving me warmness and swiping my tears away. Later at evening, I heard my parents talking for my education about how to secure it for me. Having no savings, contacts or even knowledge for how the correspondence registration at Uni goes, also my parents were overwhelmed for what’s the next step.. I didn’t sleep that night at all, due to the feeling of failure to myself. Next day came, sun rises and everybody was gone to work, expect my brother. He took a day off and dedicated to me. Downtown at the city while drinking coffee with him he felt me, he saw in my eyes that I was on the edge of going downhill. He said; “ Hey, there’s hope. One door that is closed doesn’t mean all of them will be!”. At that moment my mind was brainstorming for opportunities and not disappointment, and one came across. Back at home I started to search scholarships chances and fortunately there was one fully funded that I could catch. For my luck it didn’t have any application fee so I just realized that this is my path, I have to move on. I told only to my brother because I didn’t want to make vague atmosphere at home without reaching my goal. I stayed all night long for 2 months straight, studying for IELTS, completing medical reports, and planning things out if this works. Everything was on time and soon results came out. And then, my purpose was fulfilled, I got it, I was accepted, I read the confirmation email 3 times and it was unbelievable. I just wasn’t thinking nothing at all, I was smiling and exhaling so calm. I called my family and we cried with joy tears. Later that night we throw a second party celebrating all night long, since having just 2 weeks left in Kosovo we spent every second together as much as we could. The first time ever to travel came, along with the hardest goodbye to say. At the airplane, looking the clouds and feeling the lights of sun passing in my window I just thanked the Universe for helping and working with me through all the rough tension of my life. Arriving in Budapest airport and going by an airbus shuttle to Pécs was unreal. Hearing a new language and seeing new landscapes was emotional for me. That day was the best one in my life and I can proudly say that I study at the first University in Hungary for three years now in dietetics major. I’m so grateful for every single day, because life is basically a gift sooner or later you’ll understand and feel it but you must be patient and look other perspectives. Jump out from your zone, and risk for a good manner. Because that’s the stage of adult hood where you take the wheel and start directing you own dream life!