Wednesday (Day 12): Today, I finally interviewed Maja, the director of Wings of Hope (the organization that I worked with during my time here). I honestly think that Maja deserves to have a biography written about her, and she is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. I learned so much from our conversation, not just about her work and expertise in psychological trauma but also about the lessons that she’s learned throughout her life. I think one aspect of interviews that I have grown to really enjoy and appreciate is the fact that what I learn and what we talk about changes depending on the person and the situation. Even though I start each interview with a list of prepared questions, I often end up discussing unexpected topics, learning things I never anticipated to learn, and feeling strong emotions. I am always deeply amazed and moved by how much strength and compassion for other people my interview subjects have.
Sunday (Day 16): Today is my (21st) birthday as well as my last day in Bosnia. Tonight, I leave for Tokyo!
I am both excited to go to my 4th country and sad to say goodbye to this one. A few days ago, my dad arrived in Sarajevo to spend some time with me. It has been really nice having a family member around. Traveling abroad for a long time is an incredible experience, but at times, I have missed home a lot. So, I am really happy that my dad came here, so that I could feel more “at home” on my birthday! I got to show him around the city, and we also explored new parts of Bosnia together. I even got to introduce him to Maja and her husband ☺️
Now that I am a little more than halfway done with my travels, I wanted to write down some of the things that I have noticed:
- Every place has its own charm (but seeing this requires a positive and grateful mindset)
- Going outside of my comfort zone has allowed me to grow and learn new things about myself
- Most people are very friendly and nice! (I have made friends in every country I have visited so far)
- It’s important to check in with myself every once in a while and prioritize rest and my well-being
- Keeping an open mind is super important (both for traveling and research)
I am excited to see what I learn in Tokyo!
Thanks for reading 💛
P.S. There is a saying in Sarajevo that if you drink the fountain water, you are destined to come back to this city. Well, I drank the fountain water on one of my first days here. So, until next time Sarajevo!