I’m an international project manager, a self-starter, a singer, an optimist and a plant lover. That’s who I am. But I’m not a journalist. That’s a fact.

So what could I do in a program of experienced and accomplished journalists from all over the world who were going to Stanford to develop innovative journalistic projects? I was determined to find a full-time job in the Bay Area while my husband, science journalist Anh Hoà Truong, completed his 10-month JSK Journalism Fellowship. That was my plan last August, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

When the program started, in September, I got my first clue that this fellowship could also be mine. In a letter addressed to me and all the other affiliates — that’s what the program calls spouses and partners — JSK Fellowship directors said “we are an integral part of this program.” All the benefits that were open to fellows were also open to us, their affiliates!

Quickly, I began taking classes at Stanford in management and strategic communication at its famous Graduate School of Business. I learned how to be creative and do a proper brainstorming at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, the legendary d.school. I also immersed myself in journalistic global challenges, seizing the opportunity to be among my fellow fellows and their affiliates when activists and journalists who have shaped the world for the better came to talk with us. For example, Wael Ghonim came one afternoon to discuss his influence on and takeaways on the Arab Spring.

During the fall, while I was going to classes and lectures with world-renowned professors to learn more about one of my passions, international relations, another opportunity came up for me. Thanks to serendipity, networking and perseverance, I began working last December for one of the Russian specialists on campus. The job involved researching Russian health policies. The dots connected: Ten years ago, I lived and studied Public Law in Russia; two years ago, I worked on health and drug policies in London.

And it’s no ordinary research position. Last week, I was on campus at 7 a.m. for a phone call. I’m not a morning person, but I was thrilled! Here I was, having a Skype call with the regional officer of the World Health Organization in Russia about building a partnership between the WHO and Stanford!  Nine months before, I had tried to plan and anticipate what I wanted to do during the fellowship year. I wanted to find a job and improve my skills in Russian and Spanish. I’ve done that. But I’ve done much more. How could I have imagined that I would have chatted with Francis Fukuyama, a world famous political scientist, while drinking a glass of wine? And that was just the beginning of the year at an orientation event. How could I have imagined that later in the fall I would have given a talk — about resources for spouses of Stanford faculty — at the Bechtel International Center at Stanford? Or sung, after auditioning, with the Stanford Symphonic Chorus of 100 amazing singers in the beautiful Memorial Church, and later with a professional singer in a huge auditorium? It was a public performance at the end of an acting and singing class.

All I wanted at the beginning of the year was professional experience and a nice year in California with my husband. What I got instead was much more enriching and valuable. I got a transformative experience in this tremendous university surrounded by 20 amazing journalists, their brilliant spouses and the precious JSK staff. I’ve broadened my horizons and learned about leadership and innovation. I’ve embraced the American way of “thinking big” and having confidence. I got better at pitching and communicating. I’ve always had good adaptive and learning skills, but believe me, this experience took me much further. The fellowship is finishing soon for us, but I know it will influence me and help me evolve months after its completion, opening new paths that I wouldn’t have thought possible or dreamed just months ago.

So, if you’re the next fellow or affiliate (or if you are considering applying), I tell you this: Give yourself objectives for this amazing year. That’s a sound thing to do at any time, but you have no idea how lucky you are to be in this particular program. You never know what can happen to you in this fellowship, even as an affiliate. That’s why this program is so successful — and disruptive. Look! I’m not a journalist. But I’ve spent one year with them and today, I’m writing a post in a blog for accomplished journalists.