Life updates: Finished my master’s; Moved to DC; Got a job; Reflecting on few things…

So I got a master’s degree!

This was not only my hard work but a team work of my family. They played super important role in finishing what I started. Sincerest and especial thanks goes to my mom. Though she couldn’t see my graduate, she was the biggest reason how far I came here. She visited me the next day in my dream and I felt her hug and heard her voice so clear. Mom, thank you for everything. I will keep making you proud and reach all the things I had promised you.

Doing master’s in the US made me feel like doing another bachelor because, compared to common trend in Mongolia or maybe elsewhere, young people who just completed their bachelor do master’s right away. So, there were lots of younger people than I expected. It was understandable — from what I heard, as the job market is quite competitive, people get another degree to make themselves outstand a little bit.

From the point of someone who did master’s with four years of working experiences after bachelor, I would still say “work at least 1–2 years just to see what’s your interests and career/life goals are”. It would be such a waste of time and money if what you studied don’t interests you or you end up working in some other fields. Do whatever you have to do always. Not here to judge or give unwanted some life lessons, just sharing my findings.

I moved to DC-DC area after getting a job there. It has been more than four months since I lived here and doing this current job. I was grateful enough to get a job at a public diplomacy-focused (exactly what I did for master’s!) nonprofit. Though I’m grateful — because just getting a job here in DC is not easy, I feel like I want to do more challenging job and shift into ‘mid-level’ job. I have been doing administrative job for a long time — including volunteer experiences during undergraduate. So, currently working on to have job where I can offer my skills and creativity. The job where I can take an ownership… Let’s see if I can have that dream job lol. I’m also open to move different country/continent which I’ll be exploring.

Living in DC is such a fun experience and I enjoy it so much. It is super walkable city and public transportation has easy access too. There are always fun and free events happening everywhere in DC — free museums, galleries, markets, parade; rooftop and outside restaurants/bars, people walking their dogs and people running/jogging, parks in almost every metro station… I love this city a lot.

I am definitely enjoying my own company most of the time like doing some run, shopping, walking, exploring, going to cafe by myself… Sometimes I feel “It would be nice to have someone to enjoy this fun and happiness” but it’s okay. I will keep making efforts to get out of my comfort zones, meeting new people, taking initiatives and at the same time expecting nothing. Because, my friends, expectations make you disappointed and hurt. So, have zero expectations. Nevertheless to mention, making friends as an adult is freaking hard itself for the 100th time lol.

Also, at the same time, I will not force any friendships or relationships, meaning if certain individual don’t enjoy spending time and hanging out with me, or faking it, I will not ask and chase to meet me. I rather enjoy myself:). Not gonna lie, cultural differences here sometimes make feel irritated and it is hard to know people’s genuine feelings here.

Anyways, some things I have been reflecting lately:

• If you don’t respect and know your values and then let people know those as no one’s gonna voluntarily do it for you. So, go ahead advocate yourself
• If you think you deserve better, you’re absolutely right, you do
• Make some changes if you don’t like your current self
• Don’t waste your precious time looking at someone else’s life and make comparison (meaning Instagram stories:)
• Do things especially when you think you’re not ready. Make that scary jump
• Your life is happening right now — so don’t postpone things saying ‘maybe next time’. Maybe there will be no next time. Go on that trip. You will always can make more money
• Don’t miss moments just because it’s not a perfect situation. Some life moments are meant to be happened unexpectedly

I will write my articles more often now and keep sharing my journey. Thanks for reading my articles!

xo,
Oko