The End

Sanya, Hainan IslandTo say the least, it has been a very interesting semester. I traveled more in 3 months than I have my whole life. Soon I have to say goodbye to my professors, the friends I have made here, and this blog. Almost brings a tear to my eye, almost. I am excited to go back to New York for the summer but Shanghai will be sorely missed. My local professors, who I look forward to seeing every class day will be sorely missed. It’s a strange feeling, knowing something is ephemeral and trying to appreciate it all as its happening. Such is life.

The personal growth I have experienced while in Shanghai is priceless. My attitude towards the world has changed drastically as has my outlook on life. I still remember packing my bags and not knowing what to expect. Not knowing what it was going to be like living in a foreign place and not knowing a single person in the program. Putting myself out there this semester has truly opened my eyes. Everything from climbing the Great Wall in Beijing, to seeing the Olympic Village in person, to the 3-hour hike up Mount Emei, to spring break in Sanya, this trip has been most memorable. I enjoyed every moment of the 17 hour train ride back to Shanghai from Xi’An after visiting the Terracotta Warriors. I enjoyed every moment of trying gum-numbing ma la spicy food in Chengdu, even if the pain was unbearable. I fell in love with Shanghai the moment this program started and have already made plans to come back in 2010 for the World Expo, possibly staying even longer if I can find a job here.

The biggest problem I faced was getting myself to do things I wouldn’t normally do. The excuse was easy, I was in a foreign country so why not? My attitude towards a lot of things have changed and I know I am a different person from 4 months ago. Years from now I will look back at all the photos I took of the trip and no doubt be nostalgic, whether I’m in New York, Shanghai, or another city at the time I will always remember this life changing trip.