Language and Life

Note:  This post falls under the categories of "life" and "language/culture":

So I have been studying Mandarin Chinese for six years, including three years of Honors and one year of AP.  I plan on completing a minor in Chinese.  Chinese has sort of been a big part of my life.

Ever since I started studying Chinese back in middle school, I have wanted to visit.  I almost had a chance to do so in high school but it got too expensive and the group of interested students was too small.    Another thing that I have known for a very long time is that I want to study abroad.  Originally, I was going to go to Ireland or England, but in the past few years, I have become very adamant about going to China.  Even though it's been a thing that I have wanted, going to China has always seemed like one of those dreams that never actually comes true.  Like, in my head, everything is great - I meet cool people and have adventures and have no problems adjusting.

Just today, I started my application for a combined study abroad/international internship program and the whole concept has gotten a lot more real.  It is really starting to hit me that I will be half-way around the world for roughly six months.  I won't be able to come home for school breaks.  I will struggle with the language and probably some culture-shock.  I might become a hermit, though I really hope not.  All in all, I am a lot more nervous now than I was before, but I'm not entirely certain that it's a bad thing that I am worried.

I guess it all just boils down to the old adage - Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Here's to some venture, and hopefully some gain.  Wish me luck as the season of applications begins!

Until next time.