MIP Fellowship, a truly American experience
When talking about the US, everyone has their own distinct image, especially related to what they were exposed to and what their peers’ experience was. As part of my MIP fellowship, I applied to join a startup accelerator working in EdTech (lingo for Education Technology). That would support my future ambition to contribute my time to EdTech and also it would help me learn how to transition towards a more entrepreneurial role. One month after, I was in NYC, for the first time ever. It was my first time in the States actually. On the second day in the country, I joined my new team while organizing a week long Hyper Accelerator. There were companies from all around the world, tackling education as the cause and solution to many social problems. Among rushing around to keep up with the event’s rhythm and trying to get work done, I met inspiring people that gave a different perspective about the world and how we can take responsibility to tackle these problems.
Never it had occurred to me that on the first day of the job I would be totally competent to take over responsibilities without even being able to shadow someone else first and learn my way around the “system”. I remember my first day as a 13-hour work day which challenged me and taught me a lot. I also remember the ease with which I faced all of it. I was able to grasp the amplitude of it only after I met people, who discovered that I had only been in the US for 2 days. Their reaction towards me not even needing time to adjust was something that made me reflect after a long working day. It was as if I wasn’t even aware of that being a skill and me owning it.
Whenever anyone asks me about my experience in the States, I describe my first working day. I think that is the most representative image of the US, you are encouraged to get involved and you deal with it. I consider that not only a professional development and experience but a life skill. Being able to learn how to cope with change and uncertainty must be the most valuable and underappreciated skill. It is, however, a skill that will never fail you, even when everything else does. Of course, it takes some courage to actually stomach it. But if you are up for some adventure, the US guarantees that for you. At the end of any day you feel like you won against all the odds.
