This summer was the beginning of the end of my academic career, as I first embarked on a three-week economics course in London and then on a two month intensive Chinese course in Monterey, California. As I arrived back at Hope, ready to tackle my final semester, a bittersweet feeling washed over me. The thing about me is that I love to learn. I love to stay busy and keep my mind engaged. Perhaps, that is why this summer was the most fulfilling yet. Sure, I did not get to lay out in the sun and tan (more likely burn!) as much as usual, nor did I get to lounge around and watch Netflix whenever I pleased. To some, a summer like mine may seem overboard. After all, isn't summer supposed to be a time to relax?

Yet, this summer changed something in my core. I discovered a newfound sense of independence that I never knew I had within me. Hope College is a very nurturing place, where I would eat in a dining hall, and everything seems right in the world. Living in a foreign country for three weeks and then California on my own for two months did not offer the same amenities. It was not without its challenges, but adversity makes one stronger in the end.

Though I have never had doubts about my academic abilities, independence has always been something with which I have struggled. Growing up in a family that was, and still is, incredibly close, I always had them for support. My mom did my laundry, cooked amazing meals every night, and was always there for a hug during tough times. My dad attended every single sporting event and was there to wipe my tears and offer advice when life did not go as expected. There is nothing wrong with nurturing parents, and I really needed that for much of my life. Yet, here I am, about to graduate college, and things are finally beginning to fall into place. This summer provided me the experiences and challenges needed to push me over my threshold of dependency.

Through being able to conquer a summer away from home, my confidence has skyrocketed. Little things, such as learning how to cook the most basic of dishes, gave me reassurance that the future is not such a scary place. While in the past my fears about leaving home and moving on held me back, the possibilities are now endless. Endings can be beautiful when they lead to new beginnings.