Staying in the U.S

It is funny sometimes how life works. One minute you were in the most down part of your life, and the next minute you are at the top of the world. I think that is what happened to me. Last year I was at my worst condition. I mean, in terms of financial. Also everything didn't look promising to me. I was thinking what would happen next? Will I be able to stay in the U.S? How would I do that? By continuing PhD program? Or maybe by getting married? LOL. The later one does sound pretty crazy, although possible. Maybe very very small chance, though. Work opportunities was very very slim, I didn't even know if that may exist. No company would even glance into my CV, me being an international student.

You would ask, why? Well, first off, this is not my country. Second, oil price was very low. Third, why would they hire me if they would end up needing to sponsor for my working visa? That sounds like a lot of work, indeed. That's why at that time PhD sounded like the only option for me if I wanted to stay here. Although now looking back I would cringe. Seriously, even Masters now I'm already exhausted. I just want to graduate and go back to make money again.

Sometimes I'm amazed about how God works in my life. I feel so lucky a lot of the times. Miracle suddenly happened the start of this year, when the manager of my consortium sent email to us (the students) about an internship opportunity. I of course was pumped to apply. And you know what? Almost nobody took a look at that opportunity. Because almost all of them have gotten internships somewhere else. They even kinda laughed at this one because they never heard of the company before, and it is also located at the worst place of California. I didn't care. I only wanted a job, no matter where it is. In the end it was only me and another PhD student that apply for this internship. We both got the interview, which I was really not sure that I did well. Apparently I did. They decided to give me the internship, and even better, the offer is a lot higher than other students in my consortium got. Crazyness.

I worked my ass of during the internship, while some other people (including my intern friends) would sometimes complain about how much work was demanded from them. I was thinking, "dude, do you want a job or not? Don't whine you crying baby. Oil&gas is not doing that well for you to pick and choose."

I got the job offer from the company. Full time position. Still very much related to my background & experience. And they would even sponsor my working visa right away.

Yes, me. The international student at the worst price of oil. It was like 0% chance of getting a job. It's crazy how life works, eh?