This morning I had meeting with the University of Madison-Wisconsin. Since I’m a rising senior, it’s time for me to begin looking at potential graduate programs to attend.
Unfortunately, I don’t know exactly what I want to do or who I want to be when I grow up. My dad always told me he didn’t know, either. But they tell you from the first day of college that it’s okay that you don’t know what you want to do, that it’ll be fine and you’ll figure it out and that one day you’ll just know and that everything will be a big ball of sunshine.
This is a lie.
I’m at the end of my undergraduate degree and I have a long laundry list of things I have done, and none of them have revealed to me exactly what I want to do or who I want to be.
I’m passionate about international education (education in general), peace studies and conflict resolution, and international affairs/international law. Ideally, I’d love to triangulate all of these things into one focus, which to me seems quite practical. The issue is figuring out what to do for my graduate degree that will allow me maximum flexibility to study as and what I will.
When I found out I’d be traveling to Madison to see my sister, I decided it’d be an ideal time to visit the University of Madison-Wisconsin to see what they have to offer me and how flexible their programs would be. With this in mind, I had meetings with the Masters of International Public Administration and the School of Law.
The information was useful and I have a clearer idea going forward of what not only Wisconsin can offer me, but also what to look for in other universities offering similar programs. The best thing about Wis-Mad is that they offer a 4-year, dual law and MIPA program, with maximum flexibility to incorporate their renowned education department and resources into my studies.
After these meetings, which lasted most of the day, I went with my family to walk down Monroe Street. I found this “Birthday Fortune” book, and this is what it said about my birthday (I hope these things are true):
And these baby beagles!
We then ate a late lunch/early dinner at La Mestiza, an authentic Mexican restaurant. I got enchiladas vegitarianas (I think I spelled that correctly?), which were delicious. My favorite thing, though, was this drink (I forgot the name) that tasted like liquid arroz con leche, my favorite thing my host mom made me in Colombia. I’m entirely replicating it at home.
Traveler at the Edge 
I’m starting the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program at Portland State University in September. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like guidance on grad schools.