Thank you and au-revoir!

Voilà, le moment est "enfin" arrivé! C'est curieux vous rêvez de ce moment pendant des mois, voire des années, et lorsqu'il arrive vous vous dîtes "really?". 

Mais la coupure abrupte de mes emails ce matin me l'a confirmé, mon étape de vie ici s'est achevée. Etrange façon de traiter ses employés: on vous coupe votre mail à peine votre dernière journée finie sans même vous en informer au préalable. Finalement, cela vous conforte dans votre décision!

Voir les étudiants revenir sur le campus et lire tous leurs messages vous ferait presque
reconsidérer votre choix. Mais non, il est temps de rentrer. Cette vie à long terme n'est pas soutenable et justement parce que tous les étudiants sont de retour, il est l'heure de partir. Déjà que la séparation vie perso/vie pro était difficile, ces derniers temps je ne pouvais faire un pas sans voir l'un d'entre eux et entrer dans une conversation de 30 minutes.

Bien sûr rentrer fais plaisir, revenir près de la famille fait beaucoup de bien mais l'incertitude ce cette nouvelle aventure génère de nombreuses émotions contradictoires. Après tout je quitte une bulle ensoleillée et de luxe pour aller vers la grisaille et l'entrepreneuriat...

Objectif? Vivre cette nouvelle aventure comme une nouvelle expatriation et être ouverte à toute opportunité :-)

Quelques témoignages qui réchauffent le coeur:

"Nooo Melanie!!!!

Porque nos abandonas? 

Buen viaje y muchos exitos. Te recordaremos y seguramente cuando se presente la opportunity nos vemos 

Victor"

"Thank you for all of your contributions and good ideas in the past two years that we worked together closely. It has been a great privilege to work with someone as committed to the students and their success as you, and I wish you all the best in your new opportunities as a coach and mentor!

I look forward to staying in touch!

Best,

Jeff"

"Dearest Ms. Melanie,

It is truly a shame that we will be losing one of the most valuable members of our student family. Maybe losing is not the right word, as you will always remain in our hearts, and we will bother you in the future every once in a while. It still saddens me to know that the source of hope in the program had commenced her mission with us. It is now up to each one of us to carry this hope that would strengthen us to go on and be different.

A big thank you for your constant support. It is time for me to tell you, as you are the modest individual, that your popularity amongst us is not due to us being good people, but it because of YOU, and your wonderful, pleasant, approachable character.

All the best of luck Ms. Melanie. I pray Allah that this will not be the end. Oh, and happy Eid!

Best regards,

Maya"

"Hello Melanie, 

It was a pleasure getting to know you. Thank you for everything that you have done. I'm so happy that recently we were meeting many times randomly around campus lol :)

And I'm so sad that I couldn't say goodbye.

I wish you a happy life to come! 

Please stay in touch. 

Warm Regards,

Ahmed"

"Dear Melanie,

We are so lucky to have worked and learned from you. I have no doubt that there are great things in your future! Please do keep in touch and I hope our paths cross again.

Best,

Shannon"

"Dear Melanie, 

Thank you so much for your kind words.

I was discussing with a colleague yesterday how all students with no exceptions like you personally and professionally and how advisors fail to do the same thing although we know they are trying hard. Pardon me for this, I don't mean to say that they are not doing a great job, but I meant that a lot of them keep their relationships with students very professional that students feel there's a sort of a hierarchy between them and their academic advisors. We figured the reason is that you have been always close to students and took their side to understand them regardless their acadmic profermance or other issues. You made students very open with you to tell you their plans, how honestly they feel about things on campus and fully trust you with everything as their second mother. You are more than ready to give courses in coaching and personal development. Indeed, consider me as one of your incoming students in the future when I reach a position of managerial work. 

You have done a great job as the head of advising team and I'm not sure how they will find as a valuable replacement as you are. 

Finally I would like to THANK YOU for everything you did for me during the past years. I have learned so much from you that I'll take those lessons with me whenever I take a step in my life. 

I wish you the best in your next journey and in your life. & I will see you in the near future. 

My warmest regards,

Faisal"

"Dear Melanie,

I hope you are well.

I want to thank you for your support throughout last year and past summer. I am thankful for the time and support you have given me. The students and I miss you already. I wish a happy and pleasant future.

Best,

Fahad"

"There's a lot of power in treating people kindly, listening sincerely and helping them see a better deeper view.   Great job!  You don't always get the feedback, but I can only imagine how many other students you have impacted for the better and brightened their days and improved their life.

Andrew"