Three Lessons from Iceland That Translate to Graduate School and Beyond
Over spring break, I had the opportunity to travel to Iceland. In a country where sheep outnumber the population of people, it felt like I was in a different world. My weeklong journey was completely different to my daily life as a graduate student at Ohio State. In the midst of my final semester in the MAcc program, I went into this trip as a way to reset and reflect before the last weeks of classes and projects. Here are the three biggest takeaways I had from my trip to Iceland and how they connect to life as a graduate student in the MAcc program:
- Seize Opportunities
Any time you have the chance to travel, take on a new job or project, or meet someone new, do it! It is easy to get caught up in our own small worlds and the busyness of our day-to-day lives. But stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing new opportunities leads to unexpected growth and reflection. It made me step back and have a larger perspective after visiting a country with a completely different landscape and culture.
- Importance of Adaptability
Before the trip, everything was planned out, including the route, hotels, and daily stops. This worked well until a snowstorm hit the eastern part of the country, closing all the roads for half the day. This forced us to pause and readjust our plans for the remainder of the week. This is equally important in the MAcc program. The ability to quickly adapt to new challenges or unforeseen circumstances will help you succeed and stay on track when things suddenly become difficult.
- Being Present
Throughout the trip, I found myself constantly taking out my phone to take pictures and videos of the amazing landscape, not wanting to miss anything. Towards the end, I started to wonder if I was actually experiencing these great places or just seeing them through my camera lens. I began to force myself to put my phone down at times and fully take in my surroundings instead of focusing on capturing photos for Instagram. The same applies for whatever you are doing in life, whether it is graduate school or a job. It is important to realize the value you are creating and what you are working towards rather than going through the motions.
These were just a few of many takeaways and lessons I had from a great trip. I returned to my day-to-day life with more intention, perspective, and open-mindedness as I wrap up the MAcc semester. If you are entering the MAcc program this fall or beginning something new in your life, I encourage you to challenge yourself and engage in as many opportunities as possible, as this is often where the most growth occurs.
