Things are happening so quickly in my career that I can barely keep up myself. After getting into Oxford and presenting my research in the UK last month, another incredible opportunity has come my way: my first-ever trip to the United States.
What a journey, and all within such a short time.
The application for this conference was one of the most interesting experiences I have had so far. It is the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), a massive gathering with thousands of participants and highly specialized sessions.
When I saw that there would be a session dedicated to The Next Quest for the Historical Jesus, I could hardly believe my eyes. Finally, a place where I could present the ideas I have been developing recently. The theme, the scale, the country I had never visited before, everything about it felt like a calling.
When I shared this dream with one of my friends and mentors, who knows the field and the conference very well, he kindly warned me not to be disappointed if my application did not succeed. The SBL is one of the highest-ranked conferences in the world, with fierce competition. I understood perfectly, and honestly, I thought the same. It felt almost impossible.
Yet I tried.
And I got in.
To my astonishment, the session had space for only four presentations on the Historical Jesus, just four from around the world. And there was my name among three established scholars, professors at renowned universities, all with published books. What am I doing among them? Honestly, I am not sure. What I do know is that I cannot wait to be there, to explore Boston, and to take part in this incredible event.
When the letter of acceptance arrived, joy quickly turned into stress.
Travelling from Eastern Europe to the United States, paying for registration, flights, accommodation, and daily costs, even for a few days, felt financially impossible. I was overjoyed to be accepted but could not imagine how I would cover everything.
Then came the generosity of the Hibbert Trust.
They believed in my project on the relationship between slavery and the Historical Jesus and generously funded my trip. I cannot express how thankful I am. Their support made this dream achievable.
So many good things have happened recently that I am filled with gratitude, to the Hibbert Trust, and to everyone who has helped shape my path, my interests, and my academic journey.
Soon I will travel to Boston to present my paper before some of the most respected scholars in the field, contributing my own perspective to the ongoing movement of The Next Quest for the Historical Jesus.
And who knows? Maybe there will be time for a short visit to New York or Washington before I return home.
