They have started. They are one of the hardest things to get through but it has to be done. I started my goodbyes today, my best friend leaves on friday for an amazing year in Brazil and of course I just happen to be going out of the state the whole week before she leaves. But this goodbye is just a see you later. I have to keep reminding myself that I will see these people again, in just one "short" year. The hardest goodbyes that are yet to come are the goodbyes I will have to say to my new family and friends in Korea. There is a chance that I will never see them again, I think I can wait for that feeling. But I shouldn't be thinking about that yet, I need to look forward to the amazing year that is ahead of me.
I leave around the 25th of August, getting to Korea on the 26th, which just happens to be my birthday. I haven't decided if that is a good thing or not yet, I'm sure I will be welcomed very warmly but will I be homesick even more because it is my 19th birthday?? I will let you know how it goes after the fact.
Age works differently in Korea. They count based on the year you are born. I was born in 1993 so I will be 20 when I arrive in Korea and will be 21 at the new year. A 21 year old in the 11th grade?... yeah its happening. Can you say super super senior? Age set aside, I think it will still be an amazing school year filled with lots of learning and sleeping through classes.
Being a month out from departure and my closest friends leaving within the week, I expect to have some much needed down time to get ready to go. I will have time to figure out more gifts to bring with me and to figure out what clothes I am going to bring and how much. I have been told by many people that I will have a hard time finding clothes that will fit me. Compared to the average Korean I am a giant, and unless I am near the army base (luckily I am) , I think everything will be a tight squeeze.
As of now it is just the waiting game, watching all of my best friends leave before me is hard, even my friends leaving for college are heading out before me but in the end I know everything will work out. With about month to go I am feeling good. I am not too nervous yet, which I hope that doesn't hit me until I am already landed in Korea and I look forward to spending a year of my life living in a totally different culture.
Until next time!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
5 months and counting
Here we go!
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!!
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
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
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