Preparing to go abroad so far has been a really frustrating experience, but from what my friends have all told me, it is definitely going to be worth it once I arrive. I am leaving for Beijing with a "I will figure it out when I get there" mindset, which really isn't like me at all. I like to plan ahead and I am incredibly organized so I am beginning to wonder if this is just the first of my cultural adjustments or merely one of the early changes that my study abroad experience is bringing about in me. I am nervous about taking two independent studies in place of normal classes, but this seems to be the only option available to me if I want to continue to pursue all of my academic studies and graduate on time. Who knows... maybe I will actually enjoy whatever independent reading and research the professors in Beijing have in store for me. I am also nervous about the language barrier, but it seems as though I will be in Chinese classes almost the entire time I am abroad, so I hope to come back at least conversational. Right now, I am most worried about the weather because it definitely looks like a snow sky outside.
Several people have been asking me about how I'm feeling and to be completely honest, the fact that I am moving to the other side of the world hasn't really hit me yet. I am actually just feeling kind of nonchalant. I wish I was more excited, but I think I will be once I get on the plane on Thursday morning. I don't think you can really be totally prepared for this kind of experience. Maybe it's just all about optimism and making the best of things. I guess I really will just have to figure it all out when I get there.
