Last summer, I had the opportunity to participate in an intensive study abroad program that focused on the cross-cultural perspectives on leadership. In that time, I also did a lot of travelling, both on my own time and as per the program syllabus.
Late one night, as the hustle and bustle of the city of Rome came to a lull, I paid a visit to the Trevi Fountain, known ever so popularly to tourists for it’s powers to make wishes come into fruition upon the tossing of a coin into the fountain. So, as any dutiful tourist would, I pulled out a Euro and took a moment to myself to think. I sat on the edge of the steps and looked around, taking in the light night breeze, the vespas passing by, and the soft medley of voices chatting the night away in the background.
As I hackled my brain for things I wanted other than the go-tos, nothing came to mind other than the recurring thought of how bittersweet this feeling was, as I realized how much I would miss this moment while I was still living it. After thinking long and hard, I “settled” on tossing a coin in to wish for my go-tos, the two things I was sure I would always want for myself: happiness and success.
How I define this happiness and success, though, has ultimately made the difference. As I have become older and been able to see both first hand and second hand working conditions and living situations that have not always been ideal, I am reminded of how privileged I am to have the opportunity to attend the top Canadian university to hone in on and master skills that can help me make a difference in my life and in those of others alike.
This process of realizing what happiness and success looks like for me has been a fluid and ever changing one, where I have come to better understand what it means to have a fulfilling career. It means being able to give back in some multitude, no matter how minute. It means feeling like a valued asset to the team. And, it means always challenging yourself to raise the bar higher.
Lubna Alli 
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