Getting ready to leave!!
I am beyond excited for my new journey to an entirely whole new world. This is my second study abroad program this year and as a full-time employee at Marriott International, one of my main concerns was making the decision to risk losing my job in order to go off and study again. The time needed for my upcoming full semester in China is no comparison to the time I needed to request off previously. However, after speaking to the General Manager of my property and explaining her the opportunity, she placed me on a leave of absence.
With this, all my nerves went away!
I will be going to China with a few people I already know which makes me more excited than anything. Prior to getting to China, I will be taking a week cruise with my family and a week trip to two other countries in Asia in route to this program. Due to these other trips and relocating to Tianjin – where we’ll be experiencing seasons!! – the packing process has been quite tricky because I do not want to overpack!
After making a full plan, I was able to fit a month’s worth of “warm” clothes in a small carry on, and I was able to fit a large luggage inside of an even larger luggage (allowing me to have a full empty luggage for my return trip back home which will allow me to purchase souvenirs for myself, family, and friends). Inside the large luggage I used space saving bags to pack for both fall and winter clothing. I packed a variety of shoes, from sandals to sneakers to boots, and all my personal products. With that large luggage inside of the extra large luggage, I was able to place all of my school supplies in the border surrounding the other luggage. This meant I was able to condense everything inside of what looks like two luggages.
Within the past year, I have visited over 14 countries. With this fact alone, I did not have to prepare myself physically nor mentally because I am already so used to not being home. This, however, will be the first time I will be gone for so long during a few family and friends’ birthdays and holidays. With this, I know I will miss them; however, I know that I will be able to stay in contact with all of them when I am able to.
I am mostly looking forward to the strangers that will turn into life-long friends and the for those friendships to turn into a big family. With both my fellow Miami FIU classmates and the Chinese FIU students, I am very excited for the full experience and for the personal growth and development I know I will achieve.
I’m ready for you China!