Lond story short on how I got here: dreams, luck, courage

Somehow (have no idea where this desire came from) I realized that I wanted to try surfing, and I was sure I was going to like it. I really did, I went to the Canarians for some holidays and was super excited about my first lessons, now it looks simple but at that time I thought I was a super hero standing up on a board on my first day.

The vacation went fast; and suddenly the autumn or ealry winter came to the streets of Kiev, bringing some sadness and melancholy, while watching happy moments of our summer trip.

I believe in a whole pack of absurd things in this world coz I think it works when you want that, so I started to do a visualization map with surfing pictures dreaming of going for another surf trip. But this time I realized that a couple of classes are not going to satisfy my need. I want to go for a YEAR! Chill on the beach, surf, party; maybe work in between drinking a coconut and riding a wave… So let it be! I started very slowly to learn the options where I could go, considering my citizenship (well, Ukrainian passport is not the best for an easy travel), a low budget, a legal living and so on. No matter how hard I thought over it, seemed like no practical reasons were based on choosing one of three places - Hawaii, Bali or Dominican Republic. Just because! Simple girly explanation.

So I finished my map, I decorated the walls, the wardrobe, the doors all over my apartment. Later I had my birthday party at home. 9 December, cold snowy winter day, was full of colour and reggae music at home; tropical fruits and mohito added some mood. I asked my friends only for one thing – please wish me to go to the island, so that my dream comes true.

Around two-three weeks later, my colleague said that there is a non-degree scholarship to Indonesia with not so many requirements (at that time) and that the deadline for application is in two days at 5pm. “Isn’t that a sign?” – I thought and took a day off at work to prepare all documents. 4.15pm I was at the embassy with all package of papers applying only for Bali universities.

Half a year later, when life got back to its normal occasionally dreaming way, I received a text on my phone “You got a scholarship to Bali. Please call me back when you have time”. Whaaaat? That was a super exciting news of the whole year!

I had a nice job, a boyfriend and my close friends in Kiev. But that dream that was about to realize.. I couldn’t miss a chance. I said yes to the embassy, quit my job, goodbye to my family and friends, and in another three months I was already fully packed in Jakarta and in another couple of days right next to my dream – the Indian Ocean.