 |
| source: World Learning |
During our 4
days in the busy Washington DC, we had a lot to learn. We had a lot to talk.
Furthermore, we had a lot to remember.
We were
looking back to the past 3 months of our life in here, United States. And it
just instantly threw me back to some details that I will always remember for
the rest of my life.
I let my
self think about how nervous I was, sitting on the airplane alone without
anyone I knew to talk to. I thought about the very first time I jumped out from
the plane after a long long flight. I thought about the first hug I got from my
UGRAD fellow from Dominican Republic. I thought about my first Walmart
shopping. How big Walmart is, really got me speechless. I thought about my
first night in my room, tired but couldn't sleep, just overexciting what I was
gonna do and whom I was gonna meet the next day. I thought about my first
class, was so afraid if I couldn't understand what my professor said. I thought
about the nights I spent doing my tasks, online quizes, and staying at the
library until 2 AM with my friends. I thought about my effort trying to go to
the gym on daily basis, not because I want to lose weight, but just to prevent
gaining more weight while eating all those delicious foods in the cafetaria.
I thought
about all the goods and the bads. There was a time when I thought that I made
the best decision to go to US, but there was also time when I wanted to go home
very bad.
I miss
several things back home, but I, for sure, treasure a lot of new things I found
in here.
To be
completely honest, I've changed. That would be a lie if I said I am the same
girl as I used to be before I went to US. I encountered many things that opened
my eyes to the new things of life. I was placed in situations where I had to
stand on my own and take important decisions. I met a lot of incredible
individuals, talked to them, knew them, and made space for them in my
heart. I will always remember them.
My exchange
semester was a gem. Not to mention that I got to visit one of the most awesome
cities in the world- New York, that I had never have a mind about. Spent 5 days 4
nights with 2 amazing girls from Kazakhstan and South Korea. Went to places and
successfully awed many times. Finally saw the buildings, the streets, and the
New Yorkers I once watched just from the movies. My world went from 2D to 3D. I
would never be able to watch any movie which took place in New York without
saying to myself "I've been there..."
But some
people may have a thought that I was just travelling during my exchange period.
Nope. I didn't travel that much. I enjoyed staying in Tennessee as well. I
stayed in Cookeville. A great small city to live in. I got involved in local
festivals, I went out with my host family and close friends to do Trick or
Treat in Halloween. The childhood dream of mine which came true. I got a full
big bag of chocolates and candies, couldn't be happier. People are so kind and
helpful.
I had a
chance to celebrate Thanksgiving with my American family. I didn't feel strange
yet I felt like they are my family that I just found.
This is more than an exchange for me. This is a journey of myself, an adventure of my soul. A road that takes me to another home.
This is one
of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.
This is the time of my life I will never forget, the thing that will always be a part of me.
(Another delayed post. It's been 8 months since the day I wrote this. I just need to remind myself that, hell, life goes on.)
