LISA'S BRAVE ADVENTURE - 'I CHOSE A DIFFERENT LIFE'

The marketing consultant quit her well-paying city job and moved into a campervan

- Elisabeth Easther

When writer and marketing guru Lisa Jansen was growing up in Germany, she had her share of struggles.

"My personality wasn't suited to being a teenager. I was introverted. I had body image and self-worth issues, and it seemed everyone else my age was into partying and I wasn't, so it wasn't an easy time."

As Lisa, now 39, grew older and wiser - including discovering the difference between extroverts and introverts - she learned to embrace her strengths and come to terms with who she was. But she still didn't feel properly settled, so she made a bold move and signed up for two semesters at the University of Auckland.

"Coming to New Zealand on a student exchange saved me. I had this blank page where I was able to learn about myself and find peace. Although I only meant to spend two semesters here, because I loved everything about Aotearoa, I extended my studies and did my Masters here too. I owe New Zealand so much."

While studying, Lisa worked part-time in marketing and pursued a career in the field when she finished her studies, even though her Masters is in Management and International Business.

"Marketing is strategic and creative, and I was happily working my way up the ladder. But when I got to my early thirties, all my friends started getting married, buying houses and starting families."