Prelude

Whenever anyone found out that I majored in Journalism and Media Studies at Rutgers University, it would typically hail responses like, “Good luck with that,” “Ouch, sorry to hear that,” or if the person was really cynical, just a downright, hearty chuckle. No wonder graduation day terrified me so much.

On top of my inevitable future as a poor and struggling journalist, the love of my life had accepted a Fulbright Fellowship as an English Teaching Assistant and was moving to Germany in September for 10 months. Alex Firsichbaum... the most handsome, intelligent, and loving guy who always made me feel the way I did after seeing Titanic for the first time. A guy who can tap into my inner chick-flick-psyche is definitely a keeper. Living in Germany was his lifelong dream, and he applied for Fulbright before we even started dating. How could I possibly ask him to stay? Blessed with my very own prince charming, cursed with a struggling economy and a lot of bad timing.

Before any tears were shed, Alex and I thought of the one and only solution to make our relationship work... I should move to Germany with him! Let's face it, long distance never works, and we both weren't ready to give up after the year we had together. 

This solution did present several obstacles for the both us that we had to overcome during the summer.

Obstacle 1: I didn't speak a word of German.

Obstacle 2: His paycheck alone couldn't support the two of us, I doubt many places would hire me due to obstacle 1.

Obstacle 3: Leaving my family and friends back home in Jersey. What's more, my dad was not okay with me moving to another country.

We did have an entire summer to make this work, and we were both determined to do so.

Solution to Obstacle 1: Buy and study German for Dummies. As degrading as that title is, it spoke the truth all too clearly. Check.

Solution to Obstacle 2: I wore out every connection I could think of. I spoke to every career adviser at Rutgers that I could get a meeting with. One man, Dr. White, was very helpful as far as moral support was concerned. He actually met his wife in Germany, and one his daughters studied abroad near around the area where we would be. As comforting as she was to email back and forth with, it didn't salvage my job crisis.

I also reached out to Steve Miller, my old professor who advised me to try and work as a journalist in an English speaking news agency while abroad. As transferable as those skills may be, finding a job as a journalist in Germany was not looking good for me.

I even tried applying at American-friendly restaurants in the state we would be living. It was a long-shot, but I figured worth a try.

When those options were all exhausted, so was my hope. Then, a miracle happened. Alex and I were driving on our way home from North Carolina when he received an email from Silke, one of his mentors at the school he was placed to work at. Silke said that the school would like to employ me as an English Assistant Teacher, too! Oh, happy day!

Solution to Obstacle 3: This has been a long summer at home for me. Saying goodbye to my Jersey girl life has been looming all summer. My dad did not take the news very well, and he made it known. That made for some awkward family dinners. It was upsetting, but I knew the right thing to do was stand my ground, no matter how much it hurt him in the end. It hurt me that he couldn't see how amazing of an opportunity this was for me, but as an adult who graduated college, it was the best option for me right now. He seemed to accept my decision by the end of the summer.

My mom was the most supportive person. She has a lot of spirit and sense of adventure, all things I want to embrace. As much as she would miss me all year, I know how proud of me she is for doing this, and that's what keeps me motivated.

Alex and I are officially leaving for Melle, Germany in Lower Saxony on September 1, 2012. I am ready to finally grab life by its horns and see what this world has to offer with my best friend by my side. This fairytale isn't over yet.