Maida's university journey traverses three continents, encompassing experiences in Chile, the UK, and Hong Kong. In Chile, university life pulsated with the rhythm of academia intertwined with the vibrant energy of salsa clubs and community events. Amidst the camaraderie of student life, Maida forged connections and embraced the vivacious spirit of her surroundings. 

It was in bustling Hong Kong where Maida's narrative took a dramatic turn. Here, the pursuit of academic excellence and professional success in banking and consulting overshadowed extracurricular activities and the development of soft skills.  Maida talks about how living in Hong Kong prompted her to reevaluate her values, leading to a constant internal dialogue about whether to adhere to societal norms or stay true to her own beliefs. 

Maida's realization came during her exchange in the UK, where she reconnected with herself and learned to embrace her individual path. In the UK, Maida embarked on a journey of eclectic exploration, balancing academic pursuits with the joyous sway of Latin Social Dance. 

This voyage led her towards incorporating more diverse extracurricular activities in universities to develop a broader skill set beyond the job market's demands. Maida’s describes her journey as a non-traditional graduate from business school, highlighting her Latin American mindset of following one's dreams and heart. She contrasts this with the competitive nature and emphasis on traditional career paths in Asian education. She stresses the importance of staying true to oneself amidst societal pressures to conform, acknowledging that everyone's journey is unique. Maida playfully jests about managing unconventional clubs, like one centered around instant noodles, can cultivate skills such as people management, event planning, and marketing, which may not be developed through traditional avenues.

When offering advice to others considering traveling or moving abroad, Maida shares her way of staying rooted in identity and values. She shares how journaling has helped her maintain this connection with herself, enabling her to engage with different perspectives while safeguarding her authenticity. Maida also encourages flexibility and resilience, reassuring others that it's okay if plans don't unfold as expected and that they can always start anew.

Despite initially feeling anxious and overwhelmed by the future and societal expectations, she found solace in mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and journaling, which helped her stay present. Though anxiety still lingered at times, she learned to manage it by recognizing when fear of the future was speaking and grounding herself in the present through breathing exercises and self-reflection. Embracing vulnerability, inspired by Brené Brown's book "Daring Greatly" and TED talks, she sees discomfort as a path to growth and authenticity.

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