Will you dare?

by Wioleta Popieluch (Poland)

I didn't expect to find Australia

" I am not the same person since I've seen the moon on the other side of the globe". I can still recall the moment when I held a koala mascot in my arms for a first time as a little girl. Stories about Australia have efficiently boosted my imagination and a strong desire to visit this country one day. After years of thinking and talking about it, I decided that this is the right moment to put words into action. I still felt scared of doing it alone, but mentally I was ready for making my dream come finally true. I realized that this dream was never a matter of money or language barrier but courage. Suddenly, everything became so easy. All I needed to do was saving some $$$ and getting ready for lifetime adventure. I spent in Australia 3 amazing weeks, discovering places and meeting people whose inspired me to follow my dreams. Tears were coming down my face when plane took off the ground and I left Sydney under the clouds. There was only one thought in my mind I couldn't get ridd of - I must come back there. One year later my life was about to change completely. I said goodbye to my family and friends and took a journey into the unknown. I felt terrified and positively excited about my big Australian adventure. These 12 months in a Down Under were very challenging. I had to leave everything behind and start building my life there from the beginning. Yet, that was the most fruitful year of my life. A year full of a new discoveries, obstacles, hard work but also year full of joy, beautiful relationships and travels. I had to face my fears, overcome my shyness, survive few crisis. I've done many crazy and courageous things. I went out of my comfort zone so many times. I stood an eye to eye with a snake and cassowary, I have a selfie with a crocodile, I had a luck to see the wirdest animal in the world- platypus. I hugged koala, stroke wombat and I was running with kangaroos jumping next to me. I've seen the most impressive underwater world, I walked through the oldest rainforest on Earth, drove hundreds of miles through Australian outback. I learnt how to make the best coffee, I worked as a waitress, baby sitter and cleaner. I met beautiful and inspiring people whose are still a crucial part of my life. There were many ups and downs but I came back to Poland stronger, more determined and confident. I discovered that I am capable to achive everything I want in my life. I reinvented myself, opened my mind. This little girl from a small village somewhere in Poland didn't know that at the end of the world she will find..herself. Will you dare to follow your dreams?