Whew...
Every time the thought of going to China comes to mind I have to stop and take a deep breath. In one swift moment, I'm overcome with excitement, fear, anxiety, and the realization that my trip is less than six weeks away. Six weeks left to prepare. Six weeks left to spend time with family and friends. Six weeks until I fly to a foreign country. Six weeks until I embark on maybe the most bittersweet experience of my life.
Time is going by so quickly that every time I sit down to write this post I have to change how many weeks I have left until my trip and that makes me a little sad.
Honestly, I don't like dwelling on thoughts about my upcoming trip (and maybe that's why it has taken me so long to write this post.) But lately it's been difficult to avoid the thoughts. Studying Chinese, reading China Wakes, working on my visa application, and just making general preparations all force me to think about my approaching departure date.
And of course, here I am making it sound like I don't have one good thought about going to China. In reality, I am so fortunate. Also, I am ecstatic to travel overseas for the first time. I know that studying abroad will be scary, but it will also be a great learning experience. Not only will I attain some Mandarin skills and see some cool places, but I will be immersed in a culture that is so completely opposite of America. I will see a totally different perspective. It's going to be amazing.
Sometimes I think it's impossible that I won't love China. Several of my friends have instilled in me a strong desire to see the country they grew up in and learn about the culture that they so passionately love. I cannot wait to return in December and share with them my experience there. Let's just hope it's a good one...otherwise they might abandon me. :)
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