In Awe with Oneself
Sarah never planned for a big OE. She certainly never intended to give up a promising career that was already within her reach. At no point did she feel the need to travel overseas to prove herself or to find where home truly was.
Yet life has a way of surprising us.
When Sarah decided to go to Canada, she left behind everything familiar. She took a leap into uncertainty, unsure if “this” would ever be for her. What she found was not only adventure, but a deeper encounter with herself — one that she would never have chosen deliberately, yet now wouldn’t trade for anything.
Together with her partner, Sarah went to Canada on a working holiday visa. It became more than just an overseas experience — it was an inner journey. She discovered who she was beneath the layers of routine and expectation, and unexpectedly, she found herself inspired by witnessing female leadership in action.
Sarah is someone you notice right away — vibrant, full of energy, and grounded in warmth. I met her through Muay Thai kickboxing. When she returned from Canada, I couldn’t wait to hear her story. She laughed as she shared her first advice: “Do your homework and prepare. Every country has its own way of doing things — from getting an international driver’s licence to tax numbers and bank accounts.” She had seen so many travellers caught off guard by seemingly simple tasks that turned into nightmares because they hadn’t prepared.
Working in a ski resort, Sarah said, wasn’t as easy as people imagined. Especially in one of Canada’s busiest destinations, the hours were long and often brutal. The challenge wasn’t only physical — it was emotional. Watching people she cared about struggle with exhaustion and pressure made her dig deeper into her own essence. She learned to listen, to give, to lead, and to stay grounded even when things got tough. “When it’s good, it’s incredibly good,” she told me, “but when it’s hard, it can be extremely hard.” Through it all, she met people who became lifelong friends, and those connections, she said, are what she treasures most.
Sarah’s presence fills a room. Her energy is authentic, her laughter contagious. I told her how much we missed her while she was gone — her spirit, her positivity, her determination, even in kickboxing classes.
Her working holiday visa allowed her to spend two years travelling in and out of Canada. After returning home briefly for a family celebration, she and her partner decided to go back — despite friends warning her it might tarnish the beautiful memories of her first trip. Sarah’s response was simple: “Experience is experience. It doesn’t need to be compared.” That mindset opened the door to yet another transformation.
This time, she found herself working in a busy restaurant — long hours, demanding customers, and high expectations from management. Yet what struck her most was the floor manager, a woman who led with strength and heart. Despite the chaos, she created a sense of belonging among her team. “It wasn’t just a workplace,” Sarah said. “It was a family.” Watching a woman hold her ground and lead with both firmness and empathy left a deep impression on her. It gave her a living example of what authentic female leadership could look like — resilient, kind, and true to oneself.
Now, looking back, Sarah’s advice to anyone considering a similar journey is simple: do it. If the opportunity comes, take it. Connect with others, learn what you need to know, and go with an open heart.
Her mother, from an older generation bound by rules and structure, told her, “If I were younger, I would do that too.” Seeing how her daughter had grown — more confident, compassionate, and alive — made her realise that some lessons can only be learned by stepping out into the world and trusting yourself to find your way.
