After my Cegep.

For the past three years, I have been studying and gaining experience. I completed a program that helped me understand the role and responsibility of a social work technician.In a few mouths, I will be finishing my studies. This mean I now must make an important decision that could shape the rest of my life. Several possibilities are available o me. I could take a sabbatical years, continue my studies at University, or start my career right away.

Choice 1 : Sabbatical year.

Choice 2 : University.

Choice 3 : Work right away.

Sabbatical year.

I decided to take a year to focus on myself and think about what I really want for my future. After several years of studies, I felt overwhelmed, so I want to put aside all the pressure I have accumulated during all these years. For this next year, I have two main options. First, I could travel to Thailand and discover the world and learn the ins and out of independence. Second, I could go on a humanitarian trip, it could be an invaluable experience, and I learn the ropes of my field of studies. In fact, all these options can helped me to develop my communication skills and my empathy. So, each option could come in handy for my future, but I need to make a choice.

Choice 1 : Thailand.

Choice 2 : Humanitarian trip.

Thailand.

I finally decided to travel in Thailand and step out of my comfort zone. At first, everything was perfect, the wheaten was beautiful, the people were welcoming, and I really enjoyed experiencing a new culture.This experience helped me understand cultural difference, and I had to adapt quickly to my new environment. One day, I went to visit a popular temple. I was walking around, enjoying the moment, but I didn't read the warnings thoroughly. Suddenly a monkey jumped on me and grabbed my bag with my passport inside. I need to decide whether to chase him or accept my situation and go to the embassy to recover my passport.

Choice 1 : Chase the monkey.

Choice 2 : Embassy.

Chase the monkey.

Without thinking, I decided to run after the monkey and try to pull of a miracle. I followed it through small streets and crowded areas. After a few minutes, I finally saw the monkey sitting on a wall with my bag. I slowly approached and gave it some food. It's worked. The monkey dropped my bag and ran away. I quickly checked inside, my passport still inside, but it was absolutely disgusting.Covered in dirt, sticky stains, and something I didn't even want to identify.At the airport, the officers looked at it with pure disgust. One of them even put on gloves before stamping it, while people around me stared and judged. I became aware of how quickly person can stigmatize others based on appearances, and I had to adopt a respectful attitude. So, I back home with a funny story to tell.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Embassy.

I decided to go to the embassy and stay calm, even if the situation felt like a dead end. When I arrived, they asked me many questions and started a full background check. The process took several days and cost me a lot of money. It's also felt like they were withholding information, which made everything even more stressful. After a long waits, they finally gave me temporary passport. At the airport, there was some confusion, but I managed to leave.So, I back home safely with an expensive lesson learned.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Humanitarian trip.

I finally decided to go on a humanitarian trip to step out of my comfort zone and gain meaningful experience. I want to develop my skills in intervention, support vulnerable population and better understanding the realities of communities. So, I joined a small organization in Peru, where volunteers could help in a different way. I have two options, I could either teach French to local children in a small village with limited resources, or work in the fields with local farmers to help with the harvest.

Choice 1 : Teach French.

Choice 2 : Farmers.

Teach French.

I choose to teach French because I thought it would be easier since it's my first language. I imagined calm students learning "Bonjour" and "Merci". Instead, the kids were little demons who did not listen at all. They ran, screamed, and ignored everything I said. I tried to teach, but I mostly survived the chaos. In the end, they learned almost nothing. However, this experience helped me reflect on my limits, my stress management, and my ability to build a relationship with the children. I learned I will never work with them as a social worker, especially in context of neglect situation requiring crisis intervention.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Farmers.

I decided to work in the fields. At first, I was motivated and ready for the challenges, even if the work was exhausting. I tried to keep up with the farmers and prove that I could handle it. One day, while working, I felt a sharp sting my leg. I ignored it at first, but my leg quickly started swelling, then my whole body. I ended up having a severe allergic reaction and spent the entire month in the hospital. I went there to help, but instead, I became their most dramatic story of the year. I even ended up in the village newspaper, but this develops my resilience.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

University.

After finishing the Cegep, I decided to continue my studies at University. I believed it was the best way to build a stable future and avoid a dead end careered. I was motivated for this challenge. However, I quickly realized that required a lot of effort. The workload was intense, and sometimes it started to undermine my confidence.I also noticed a certain bias in some classes, where students with more experience more comfortable. During my studies I had the chance to complete a OJT, which helped me learn the ropes of my future profession. But now I have decided how I will continue my semester.

Choice 1 : Give my 100%.

Choice 2 : Enjoy my freedom.

Give my 100%.

I decided to give my 100% in my internship and take everything seriously. Even if it were hard, I learned how to build a therapeutic relationship, use active listening and technical skills like reflect and reformulation in intervention.At the end, my supervisor noticed my effort and offered my a job opportunity. I have to choose what I prefer.

Choice 1 : Community Indigenous.

Choice 2 : Sercovie.

Community Indigenous.

I went to work in crisis intervention with Indigenous people. This experience allowed me to discover a new culture and be more sensitive to oppression system. I stay with them for 3 years.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Sercovie.

I start working with old people because I really love this population. So, I faced many issues, like suicidal crisis, mental health challenge and of course developing support measures, so they can stay at home. I really like my new job.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Enjoy my freedom.

I decided to enjoy my freedom because I am young just one time! I want to feel amazing and don't have pressure. I can do the party with my friends every night, or take one mouth of vacation and do a road trip.

Choice 1 : Do party.

Choice 2 : Road trip.

Do party.

At first, it felt amazing, parties, late night, no stress. One time, I went out with friends and completely lost track of time. The next morning, still half asleep, I showed up at my internship, but I was not supposed to... So, I ended up getting expelled from the Universty because I am not serious.

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Road trip.

I take one mouth of vacation to enjoy my freedom and felt free. So, my friend bought an old van for not pay for a hotel. But now, we have to decide our destination for the next mouth.

Choice 1 : Gaspésie.

Choice 2 : Ontario.

Gaspésie.

We decided to go to Gaspésie. The first 2 weeks were amazing, but the next was terrible, because the van broke, and we smell the fish even after taking a shower. I will not return to this place in my life.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Ontario.

We decided to go to Ontario. The road trip was amazing, we discover mush beautiful place. I think I would like to live here.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Work right away.

After finishing the Cegep, I decided to work right away. At this moment, I can work at the hospital or change career and work at Tim Hortons.

Choice 1 : Hospital.

Choice 2 : Tim Hortons.

Hospital.

I work in the unity of hospital that support people living with mental illness and help them to reduce their vulnerability.I already know I loved this field. But, it's had drawbacks to work here.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.

Tim Hortons.

After my studies, I realized this jobs was too stressful for me, so I decided to work at Tim Hortons because my mental health it's more important even it's a minimum wage. So, now I live a not complicated life.

Choice 1 : After my Cegep.