In five months or so I will be heading to South Korea, experiencing an opportunity of a lifetime. This opportunity would not exist if it weren't for the amazing Rotary club in my hometown, good ol' Northfield, MN. Before Heading off to college at the University of Denver, I will be taking a gap year to experience a new culture, a new language and eat a lot of nummy food. There are 17 people from my own school and a bunch more from around the area, heading off around the world with the same program and words can't express how excited we all are.
The process of filling out applications started last summer and we have already had two orientation sessions to discuss where we will live and what is expected of us as ambassadors for our countries. Time has flown by and in just five months I will be meeting my host families and attending a new school. I have found out what area I will be living in, but I have no idea how to pronounce or spell it... all I am aware of is that I will be living in a suburb to the south of Seoul, Rotary district 3750 and I can't wait!!
(My family along with Adam, who will also be going to South Korea next year and the inbounds from Korea who currently live in MN)
It is scary to think about the fact that next year, I will be speaking a totally new language, wearing a uniform to school everyday and having a brand new group of friends. Growing up in a small town, I have been in classes with the same kids every day, every year for twelve years. Now, going off on my own seems so overwhelming. I won't have the security of knowing every single person and who their families are, knowing I can absolutely reach out to them for help, but that is the excitement of going to another country for a year. I will definitely have my ups and downs and take that roller coaster ride that they warn us of.
All of us, as exchangers, will be facing many of the same problems that our friends heading off to college will have to face. We will have to deal with leaving our families, having to make new friends and figuring out our places in the world, but as exchangers it will be taken a step past each of those things. We will face the culture shock, a language barrier and the fact that we are in a different country, none of us on the same continent as our families. A year abroad isn't for everyone, but when you know it's the right thing for you, YOU HAVE TO GRAB AT IT AND NEVER LET GO. This year is only the beginning of my world travels. I have dreams of seeing the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and skiing in Chile, and more. I plan to make all of these happen even if it takes me 60 years to complete.
This coming year won't be a vacation, it will be pushing my limits and boundaries. I will face the hardships of not seeing my friends and family for a whole year, not eating american food and sleeping in my own bed. I have no idea what to expect, no idea what my host families are like or what their houses are like. But, all of these factors don't take away from my excitement and anticipation for the coming year. I will just have to wait and see (:
Until next time!
Calina
