Cold feet
The start of this week marked the start of the spring semester for all Fontys students. While for all Dutch citizens it marked the coldest time in a decade. For me, it was the start of my graduation internship.
As if the idea of starting the last, most important thing of my study was not enough to make my spine shiver, the universe decided to add to it with the icy cold winds. I sat there solemnly Sunday evening, nourishing my cold feet wondering, what else could possibly go wrong?
Come Monday morning, I was pleased to see public transport had resumed and I would have a somewhat normal day. So, there I was, all wrapped up and ready to be shipped off to make my career. There I stood at the bus stop, with hope in my frozen hands, for thirty minutes. Waiting. Patiently waiting. To see the arriving bus.
It never did.
Disheartened and essentially frozen by now, I returned home giving in to my cold feet. Thinking I’ll start tomorrow, if the universe allows it. I dialed my boss to let him know I would not be able to make it on my very first day. As I was preparing to give up, like a ray of sun on the blanket of snow he said: ‘Shall I come pick you up?’. Just like that, 20 minutes later, we sat in his car making small talk about who even remembers what.
Such is the way of life and adventure. Looking back on it, I wished more first job days started this way: no awkwardness, no formal handshakes, no conference rooms. Just a student battling her cold feet and her boss saving the coldest day of the decade.
Rina Manjrekar (22) is an international student in the 4th year of her study Mechatronics at Fontys School of Engineering. She moved to the Netherlands 4 years ago from Malaysia. Here you can find her other columns for Bron.