Following My Own Path: My Study Visa and Personal Growth

When applying for a study visa, we had to go through Campus france, where we applied to several universities before undergoing an interview. This interview was essential because it was the only way for universities to assess our motivation and suitability. For years, this part of the process had been a hard for me. I lacked confidence, felt insecure about my language skills, and was self-conscious about my appearance. Back then, I dressed very conservatively, and I feared being judged for who I was.

Then came my final interview—the last attempt before I either made it "or get married haha". I had prepared meticulously, memorizing my answers to ensure my French was polished. I walked into the room, nervous but determined. Sitting across from me was a man with striking blue eyes—he looked unmistakably French. Oddly, that put me at ease. Had it been an Algerian, I might have felt judged, assumed they would think I was just trying to escape my country rather than pursue genuine studies.

A Moment of Raw Honesty

The interview began with the usual scripted questions, and I delivered my rehearsed answers. But then, something unexpected happened. The interviewer paused, put aside his keyboard, and looked at me.

He said, “Let’s set aside the formalities. I want to be honest with you. Moving to France will not be easy. It’s a different country, a different culture. Are you truly prepared for that?”

For the first time in this entire process, someone was asking me not about my academic goals but about my why. And for the first time, I wasn’t just answering to impress—I was speaking from my heart.

I told him, “I know what you’re saying. I’ve heard it before—from people in France, from people here in Algeria. But this isn’t about anyone else’s fears or beliefs. This is about me. If I don’t take this step, if I don’t go and experience it for myself, I will always wonder. I can’t live my life based on the beliefs and fears of others. I owe it to myself to try.”

He listened, nodded, and smiled. That smile—it felt like an unspoken approval, a quiet recognition that I wasn’t just another applicant; I was someone who knew her purpose.

The Power of Owning Your Beliefs

We are often surrounded by people who want to shape our beliefs. They tell us what is right, what is safe, what is practical. But the truth is, no belief is truly ours unless it comes from our own experience.

Yes, we should listen to others, respect different perspectives, and learn from their stories. But we should never adopt their fears as our own. If I had accepted the doubts of those around me, I would have never even applied. I would have never gone through the struggle, the heartbreaks, and ultimately, the growth that came from this journey.

Your Life, Your Choices

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that trusting yourself is one of the greatest forms of self-respect. It’s easy to live in the shadow of someone else’s beliefs, to accept their version of reality as your own. But it’s also self-damaging and limiting.

Your journey is yours. Your beliefs should be shaped by what you experience, not by what others assume. Sometimes, that means breaking free from deeply ingrained ideas and embracing new perspectives that better align with your truth.

The Freedom to Choose

As I walked out of that interview, I felt lighter. Not because I knew I’d get the visa "well maybe a little", but because I had finally spoken up for myself. I had defended my right to explore, to try, to learn on my own terms. And that, in itself, was a victory.

So, to anyone facing a similar crossroads, I say this: Respect others’ beliefs, but don’t let them define you. Trust yourself enough to walk your own path, even if it’s uncertain. Because at the end of the day, the only beliefs that truly matter are the ones you build through your own experiences.