As the starting date for my study abroad program creeps closer, life has become more and more hectic. Between finals and moving everything into storage it feels like I have barely had time to breathe before launching into this new adventure. Either way, school is over and I can finally let myself be excited to be a part of the Wanxiang Fellows Program.
To make sure that I’m ready for the trip I’ve exchanged a good amount of currency and called my service providing company to arrange a phone plan that I can use abroad. Luckily, I also have quite a few friends here in the US who have either lived in China or have family there so I made sure to ask them for all of their recommendations as well as how much things cost, on average. Now, my suitcase is packed and all that there is left to do is wait.
I will be meeting a good friend in Beijing a day before the program starts and will be staying with her in her family’s apartment for the night. More than anything, I’m excited to eat as much food as humanly possible and (hopefully) to pick up on some Mandarin. I’m most scared of the jet lag as nothing can dampen a trip like being terminally exhausted for most of it but I’ve decided to do my best to sleep on the plane and to fix my sleeping schedule as soon as possible.
That’s all I have for now! The last obstacle I will have to brave before diving into the new program is the thirteen-hour flight, wish me luck!
-Cristabella
