With only 8 more days until take-off, there is no way of hiding all the emotions I’m feeling about this new experience. Thanks to FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and the Tianjin University of Commerce (TUC), I along with 7 other students will be embarking for Tianjin, China! The realization that I was leaving to China didn’t actually hit me until today when I noticed I was still missing a few things I needed for this trip. All the thoughts just came running into my mind: only 8 days left to finish packing, only 8 days left to spend time with family and friends, only 8 days left to enjoy the oh-so delicious Cuban food I’ll be missing for four months, only 8 days left until I move to China.
Regardless of all the anxiety, I’m extremely excited to take on this new adventure in my life. Though I have traveled a lot with my family, I have never lived anywhere else other than my childhood home. This trip will help me find a new independent side of me I have not been able to discover yet, all in addition to visiting a new country! I look forward to learning more about the Chinese culture, their traditions, and their food, but more importantly I can’t wait to learn in class alongside the Chinese students. This all will expose me to the diversity I will encounter in my future work, and how to approach individuals from cultures different than my own.
We’ve purchased our flight tickets, we’ve decided our roommates, and we’ve registered for our classes, so wish us all luck and I’ll talk to you from China soon!
A colorful change from our green bills.
One of two suit cases packed and ready to go with my passport and visa!
This is the building we will be staying in during the semester.