I can’t believe what has happened in just one year. I feel bizarre because everyone is saying how quick 2016 has gone, but I honestly feel like it’s been an age. Last Christmas feels like so long ago that I can barely believe that it was only a year ago. I feel like I have learnt, seen and changed so much and I’ll be eating my Christmas dinner a pretty different person.

Last Christmas was consumed by my thoughts of moving to Nigeria for the next eight months. Most of my presents revolved around useful things I’d need whilst there, like torches and cotton clothing and people were always asking if I was nervous/excited to get going. I knew that this was what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted to see how others live and support change in my placement community, but I didn’t know how much this would affect my life. I didn’t have any solid plans for after I finished my placement, but that came during it. Working with VSO in Nigeria truly enhanced my skills and way of thinking unlike any other job/experience I have had before. I can’t describe it, but imagine doing something and coming out of the other side a person you never thought you were. Sometimes, I almost wish I could go back (for a day) to being the me I was before, who wasn’t as concerned about so many things and so empathetic to so many people, because it would be more peaceful and I’d be able to chill and switch off so much easier. But I can’t really do that and I wouldn’t want to let go of anything I learnt – it’s shaped me into a different me.

So, after several months working with VSO, I knew for sure that I wanted to dedicate my life to working in international development and to change the world in a new way. I know it sounds ambitious, but I believe that if you think you can change the world, then you stand more chance of doing it than someone who thinks changing the world is impossible. I wasn’t sure if I could work to my full capacity if I went to a whole different country and had to adjust all over again, again! I looked at placements, internships and jobs in development in China and the UK (moving back to China just didn’t feel like I would have to adjust so much because I am already familiar with the country). I realised that I wanted to be in the UK for at least a few years to be with my family – living overseas can wait a few years – and this would also be great for my career if I could get a job with VSO or one of the organisations that run ICS (International Citizen Service). So, before I even got home I was applying to jobs I knew I could do and wanted to dedicate many years to.

Whilst in Nigeria, I applied for a freelance position with VSO where I would be training the UK VSO volunteers going out countries around the world and also holding their returned volunteer weekends upon return from their placements. I interviewed for this just over a week after I got home and somehow got it, even though I was still a bit delirious with what could be called “reverse culture shock”. I did this alongside lots of other stuff to keep me busy, like an Erasmus trip to Norway and starting a campaign. Two and a half months, and about 300 job applications, later I got offered two interviews at the same time (well, on consecutive days) in London. One I really wanted (a job with an organisation who deliver ICS), the other I wasn’t that excited about (with an organisation who deliver a different programme) but would probably do if I didn’t get the other. I got a packed train to London and had my first interview for the job I wanted more than anything at that moment in time. It went alright (I had learnt everything about the organisation and I think this showed!) and I was happy with it, but I knew I would have competition from other great candidates so I didn’t want to get too excited, but I quietly hoped. I had the second interview which definitely went better than the first, but as I said I wasn’t very excited about the prospect of working in that role.

Long story short, they both said they’d contact me the coming Friday, which they both did. One from the job I didn’t want as much saying that I was unsuccessful (what?!) and the other from the person who interviewed me from the organisation I wanted to work with so badly, saying that they were very impressed with my skills, experience and personality but that another candidate scored higher than me. I sighed internally but I knew there was nothing to be done but keep applying. However, I then heard something along the lines of “but, as I said we were very impressed and we are able to offer you a three month contract doing the same role, you were very “Restless”. Would you be interested?” I was taken aback as I didn’t expect it and asked for a bit of time to think about it. I posted an advert on spareroom.com and posted on Facebook saying I needed somewhere to live, commutable to central London for just three months and for under £500 per month (if possible). I was inundated with calls, and by a stroke of luck heard off a friend who was willing to have me stay in his apartment for a tiny £400 per month! Oh, and for those of you waiting with baited breath, this organisation is Restless Development – one of the organisations that deliver ICS, and the job title is Network Support Officer, which means I will be working with the organisation’s network of returned volunteers.

So now it’s nearly Christmas and I have a great job and a place to live in London in January 2017. I can’t believe how far I’ve come in just one year. I know I have worked hard but it just feels like everything is coming together. All those years of people asking “aren’t you going to get a real job?” about my non-conventional ‘career’, and now I have a job (albeit temporary) doing something I am so passionate about. I know that not many people can say something like that and I don’t exactly feel lucky, because this didn’t land on my lap, but I feel glad that I have chosen to do this. Actually, I’m over the moon. I have no idea what I’ll be doing this time next year, and that’s pretty cool. Hopefully, I’ll be working with the same organisation, maybe in a different role as this one is only temporary, who knows. Or maybe I’ll be working for a different organisation, maybe I’ll be overseas again, or I might even be studying. I kind of know what I want and I am going to try my best to get it, but if the path veers off and I have to take a different route, I’m open to it and ready to put my everything into what ever may come. Bring it, 2017! I hope that you are as long and full of learning as 2016 was.