The day of my interview is one I will never forget. Weeks of anxiety and bouts of depression weighed heavily on me. Lee continued to support me over the telephone, talking in Korean and Japanese. Yet, the emotional ride I was on was going nowhere but down. As I sat in the air-conditioned foyer waiting to be seen it was easy to question my miserable existence but difficult to understand why I refused to give up.

"Mr Sheldon."

The nametag read, Margaret, I remember because she stood out like a beacon. Short in stature, with a large beehive hair dyed bright red. Margaret's red glossy lips matched her hair, but it was her long fake eyelashes and evenly longer nails that drew my attention. With a voice that reverberated in the small foyer, Margaret commanded any room she was in. From the group of plastic chairs pressed hard against the wall, I stood carrying my personal information in a folder under my arm. Margaret indicated to follow, and we walked silently down a carpeted corridor towards my interview.

"You can go in, Mr Sheldon." Margaret said at the open door.

"Thank you," I replied.

The room was no bigger than the jail cell I once occupied. Furnished with a small grey square laminated table and two chairs, the lecturer conducting my interview rose from the seat opposite me. An older petite Japanese woman stepped forward as I entered and closed the door behind me. She bowed, and I returned her bow. We sat opposite each other and as she looked me over my anxiety grew.

I swallowed hard and placed my folder on the table as I ran my hands against my black jeans trying to remove the clammy sensation in my palms.

"Konichiwa Shelden-san. I am Tanaka-sensei. I lecture Japanese at the university. Your application tells me you have completed five of the ten units for Bachelors of Arts degree in Japanese Studies. Please tell me about yourself and why you want to study with me."

I took a deep breath and for a millisecond thought to lie. Instead, I told Tanaka-Sensei in my almost fluent Japanese about myself, and why I wanted to complete my degree with her.

"Takano-sensei I will be honest with you. I undertook the first five units of this degree while in jail. I made mistakes in my past but I have learned my lesson. While in jail, I met a man whom took the time to teach me Korean and Mandarin, in return for assisting him with graduating high school. From there we both applied under the skills program a teaching degrees in languages. We chose Japanese as my friend loved Japanese manga and as we were unable to read what copies we had."

The reasoning behind it all now seemed pathetic and my doubts continued to grow. I didn’t belong there. I had no right to request a place at university when there were students who had more prospects than me. Takano-sensei's gaze, although calm, made my anxiety-ridden thoughts tell me I had lost all chance of fulfilling my degree.

"So you speak three languages?" Tanaka-sensei asked this time in Mandarin, surprising me.

"Yes," I answered her back in the same language. "Although I only speak Mandarin, but can write and read both Korean and Japanese."

Tanaka-sensei nodded, then asked, as our conversation continued in Japanese. "Why a teaching degree?"

Why? I'd never questioned my reasons. Lee decided he wanted to and so I followed. But I did not speak these words.

"I think I needed direction. Something I could work towards and know it meant something."

"But you realise even if you get your degree, your opportunities may be limited."

The reconfirmation of what I already knew hurt more that I care to admit. What chance was there for me to use my degree if I got it? I stared into sensei's eyes and answered, "I'm not doing this for anyone but me. Regardless of whether I get work or not, four years ago I had no future, now I do."

"What do you do now?"

I looked confusingly at sensei unsure what her questioned meant.

"You work?"

"Yes, I work six days a week."

"If you are offered a position, you cannot continue to work those hours. Will you be able to study and maintain your current life style?"

Every new question became another blow to my confidence. As my chances dwindled a small spark within wasn't ready to give up. I had every right to a position in Tanaka-sensei's lectures – that's what I told myself.

"No. I cannot maintain my current life style. I would need to find cheaper accommodation and still need to work part time to support myself. I won't let this impacts my chances of getting my degree. I will do my best to succeed."

Tanaka-sensei did not reply immediately. I watched her as she watched me. I couldn't explain the growing unease deep within. Highly strung and my nerves wound tight if I were to snap at that moment I would have been lost.

"There are twenty places in my lecture Sheldon-san and thirty-three applications. Contact will be made by mail within seven days. Thank you for your time."

My interview was over faster than I expected. I stood and bowed to Tanaka-sensei as she too stood and returned my bow. I left the room and then the building. The first thing I did was call Lee.

"Cody, how did you go?" Lee spoke in Korean.

"I don't know. I spoke the entire interview in Japanese like you suggested."

"Was the lecturer impressed?"

"Hard to tell. She asked me about my Korean and Mandarin in Mandarin. That surprised me."

Lee laughed. "How soon before you find out?"

"Seven days."

"I have no doubt you'll get a place." The enthusiasm in Lee's voice lifted my spirits.

"I hope but there are only twenty places with thirty-three people applied. I can't help but think the odds are against me."

"No way Cody. I'll pray to god for you."

I laughed, "Thanks Lee. How are things with you?"

"Good man, I've applied to the international teacher's association. I'm hoping to hear from them about a job as translator. My prospects are good."

"Don't tell them about your time here."

"Yeah. Don't know what I would do if I couldn't come back. Don't think I'd have made it as far as you Cody. I'm proud of you."

My heart swelled at Lee’s words. The emotion I have for Lee I couldn't explain and hearing his words made me invincible.

"Thanks Lee. Wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. We're brothers right."

"Damn right Cody. We're brothers. Call me the when you have news."

"Will do."

"Cool. Take it easy and don't stress and I'll talk to you soon. Annyong Cody."

"Annyong Lee."

No matter what was going on in my life Lee always made me feel better. I walked over to a nearby seat and sat down, watching the people pass me by. Everyone was getting ready for exams and I wondered if I might be fortunate enough to be attending the following year.

I wanted this to be the turning point for me and a chance for a better life.