As humans, we make over 35,000 decisions per day whether big or small. College decisions are no different. Most students stay in state, while others spread their branches to different horizons within the country. However, there are only a few that take a leap of faith. This jump lands them in a school in a different country, with different people and a whole lot more to learn. Senior Mariana Lopez Trujillo is one of the few who decided to leave her nest in the United States to embark on a journey of her own. Lopez is 100% committed to Melbourne University, the number one ranked college in Australia. “It has been my dream school since I was a freshman,” Lopez said. She plans to major in Justice of Law, pursuing her passions from a different world perspective.

Choosing to leave one’s foundations is hard, but Lopez recalled her visits to Melbourne back in 2015 to be the root of her love for the city. From the beaches to the campus; eleven years later, she is now ready to call them her home someday. “The campus itself is so big and beautiful it is kind of like Hogwarts,” said Lopez.  

Even though Lopez is excited to pack up her life and move to Australia, she still will miss the things she can’t fit in a suitcase. “I’m going to miss my family and all of our trips together, and the Houston food,” said Lopez. “It just hit me how scared I am. I would be all alone and without any friends. I’m just going to have to grow up.” Even with these doubts, Lopez reminds herself to focus ahead, that it’s all part of the journey of life. As much as she is ready to leave, nothing pushed her to get away. She is pulled to the new environment, experiences, and memories she would make. As the clock begins to tick, Lopez is welcomed by new feelings.  “I’m ready for the next step in my life,” said Lopez.

Her future seems brighter than the external negativity that other people were giving her. “Don’t be scared to try, because I hate when people try to talk people out of the decision they want,” said Lopez. “If you have a chance, take it and don’t throw it away because you’re scared.” 

Lopez insists that people “absolutely [try their] best, as school grades are most important when applying for schools abroad.”  Because of her hard work here, she will be able to explore a completely different world there. “When I got accepted it felt unreal and unexpected. It was even the last university I applied to, and I didn’t want to get rejected,” said Lopez. 

Just like Lopez is following her dreams, she encourages others to do the same. “It’s better to take a chance at the end of the day than wondering ‘what if’,” said Lopez.