Student

2017 will be my year because … I will decide where to live for the upcoming years

The Wageningen campus is usually calm in the days around the turn of the year. It is a time to look forward to the new year. Resource asked several students and staff members why 2017 is going to be their year. Simona Pedde explains why a specific decision will mark her year.
Liza van Kapel

Simona Pedde, PhD candidate Soil Geography and Landscape; Simona originates from Italy

‘This will be the year in which I decide whether I want to choose the safe and easy option of staying in the Netherlands or take the chance to move and once more experience the ‘unknown’ abroad for a couple of years.

When I was younger, it was a lot easier to change countries. I did not have much to bring along nor was anything holding me back. Now, I am what many would call "settled" because I have a house, a job and a boyfriend, and it is just easier to stay here. If we would move, we would need to find a decent place in a location we both like, which is a challenge since he prefers country side and I prefer the city.

We would also need to find two jobs. I really like my job and my supervisor here; it might be impossible to find that elsewhere. Then again, it is also healthy to go to another institute and engage in a different scientific culture.

I have almost finished my PhD, I am in my early 30s and I feel like this would be one of my last chances to purposefully "leave everything behind". Going abroad would incur logistic problems but would probably also give me a new sense of freedom and inspiration.

In the end, it is all about the balance between freedom and comfort. The decision between these two facets will be the milestone of this year that will determine the next years of my life.’

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