Indeed, I didn’t get to experience the full university life that everyone talks about due to the circumstances we’ve all endured which additionally shortened my experience, leaving me with only a glimpse of what campus life could have been. Still, during this short time, I felt deeply happy. I’m grateful for the people I met, for the memories we created, and most of all for the chance to truly be myself.

So now, as the semester comes to an end, I find myself translating more than just words, but emotions, memories, and the weight of a change. There’s no “next semester” waiting for me, no more rushing between classes, no discussions in the corridor before our final exams as we’re flipping through notes, and juggling between our ideas and what the dictionary allows. I will always remember those moments that were full of pressure, stress, laughter, and shared confusion. I will miss my classmates, our moments, but I can say it loudly, I won’t miss those final exams nor the endless race against the clock to finish the exam right on time with no extra minutes to revise.

This ending is filled with mixed feelings, with hope to finally hold my master's degree in my hands and step into the world to discover what life has in store for me. Right now, I’m feeling so many emotions at once. I am proud and grateful for what I have achieved during my journey, for who I have become, but I am also nervous about the new phase I’m entering, transitioning from a part-time student to someone searching for a full-time job.

The days I spent on campus taught me things beyond the documents. I learned how to speak up, how to stand with confidence, especially in public. I discovered the power of communication and learned to listen actively, respect every opinion, and accept others as they are—regardless of whether we share the same culture.

Letting go of a routine that filled countless days of my life, letting go of a place where I belong, became very hard. This chapter ends, but the voice I have found

through translation, expression, and self-growth will guide me through whatever comes next. I can now confidently say that I’m ready to pursue everything I’ve been praying for, as this beautiful ending marks the start of a new beginning.

Sandra Mansour

M4- Traductrice de Conférence