Hello, Meet... Juliana

As a senior nursing major, Juliana knew she wanted to use her nursing skills cross-culturally and in a public health setting. She had actually seen another position on GoCorp's website, but it had been filled. However, rather than being deterred, Juliana felt the Lord telling her that He had more for her than she could imagine, and to take baby steps. She was attracted to the Bulgaria placement because of how it mixed her passions for public health and youth development, so the only big unknown was where Bulgaria was. As an American-Brazilian who speaks Portuguese and Spanish, Juliana had imagined herself in Latin America, but felt excitement about this opportunity in Europe. After conversations with the team, Juliana felt like the work was something she could really thrive in, and she started loving the culture as she talked to a Bulgarian team member about it. Juliana kept feeling a pull towards the position and eventually felt peace about saying yes.

>>Tell us about where you served and a general overview of your two-year placement.

Juliana: Under the health track, I was a public health volunteer with a youth development nonprofit in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. In this role, our goal was to create a healthcare-oriented volunteer program for teenagers to serve as an on-ramp into healthcare careers and future opportunities for teens in Bulgaria. Along with creating this initiative, part of my role was partaking in our nonprofit's afterschool clubs with kids in more rural parts of Bulgaria. My ministry outside of work was really relationship-focused and focused on building friendships and community through game nights and walks around the city center. In the summers, our schedules consisted of youth camps, vacation Bible school, and hikes with friends old and new.

>>Why are you glad that you tithed 2 years in your 20's?

Juliana: I'm glad I did this because it's given me life-long friendships, taken me to incredible sights to be in awe of God, and it's made me rely on God in ways that have helped me grow in my trust and love for God and his people.

>>What was your biggest barrier to getting overseas?

Juliana: COVID! I graduated in 2020, so my process of getting overseas was delayed as getting visas was really on-and-off for a time.

>>When you think about your experience in your placement, what are you most proud of?

Juliana: I am most proud of the way I persisted in language learning and the relationships I invested in.

>>How did your experience living overseas positively impact your faith?

Juliana: I grew so much with my team and the ability to share life and prayers with one another on a consistent basis. I feel as though my faith expanded and I got to see God beyond the boxes I had put him in. And the Lord really built a firm foundation for me to stand on and rest on as I experienced a myriad of emotions in life and work cross-culturally.

>>What is one thing about the culture or work in your host country that you really enjoyed or appreciated?

Juliana: I enjoyed the relational focus! Coming into our office and having a 30-minute conversation with my colleague over coffee before starting work was such a joy, and taking a nice lunch break on our balcony.

>>How did your experience tithing your career directly or indirectly impact your career or job opportunities after you returned?

Juliana: I enjoyed the relational focus! Coming into our office and having a 30-minute conversation with my colleague over coffee before starting work was such a joy, and taking a nice lunch break on our balcony.

>>Tells us about one of your craziest experiences.

Juliana: Bulgaria has a huge hiking culture, and beautiful mountains for it. On one trip, my friends and I were taking, we got off at the wrong train stop for the trail we wanted. While walking on the side of the road, we encountered an older man whom we asked for directions, and he offered a ride into the town where our trail started, but he only had room for 4 people. Since we were a group of 6, my friend and I let the others go with the man, and we caught a ride soon after with a truck driver. However, this truck driver said he would drop us off somewhere, and I didn't quite understand where he said. By the Lord's grace, the old man who drove our friends knew that if a truck driver picked us up, the drop off would be at the edge of the town, so he was waiting there when we got dropped off! I was so relieved and in awe of how he knew where we would be. The old man then took us to our friends, we thanked him greatly, and he humbly said this was just what you did in small towns - you help each other.

>>Share one or two great things that have happened as a direct result of your Tithing Your Career overseas after college.

Juliana: I have had the opportunity to share my journey with other nursing students at my university and other nursing circles, and I've loved this because I see a lot of students crave a nontraditional path or role in nursing, and I think my story has helped others see that it's okay, and actually really awesome, to take the path less traveled by.

>>What would you say to someone who was considering tithing their career as their next step?

Juliana: PRAY, take baby steps and pay attention to where you are finding hope and joy.

>>How many years has it been since you completed your two years with GoCorps and where are you now?

Juliana: Now I am in seminary at Fuller Theological Seminary for a Master's of global missions and leadership. I got curious about seminary because of both the many teachers in faith I was around in Bulgaria, and also because of the many questions that came up for me in living overseas and working in a ministry. This felt like the next right step of shaping me for whatever the Lord has next.

I'm glad I did this because it's given me life-long friendships, taken me to incredible sights to be in awe of God