The Experience

I write this on Feb. 23. I’ve officially been here for more than a month. That’s more than a month of school, more than a month of being around the people, more than a month of getting used to the area.

It’s enough time to reflect on what I have been through since I arrived here in mid January. It’s enough time to really understand what it’s like to live here, to realize what I miss (and maybe don’t miss) from back home in California. The daily life, the night life, the food, whatever it is. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the whole experience right now. And I’m going to share that with you.

Singapore Surprises and Discovering a Whole New World

There is a lot to say about my first few weeks in Singapore. There is also a lot to say about my days before flying to Singapore. The experience is something that I will not feel again, probably. It’s a weird mix of being uncomfortable and curious at the same time. Let me walk you through my experience so far!

First Impressions of New Place

I started writing this on a United Airlines airplane, slowly realizing that I was heading to a new home with only five recognizable faces for the next six months. Things will be difficult – getting adjusted, learning the language, and figuring out Chinese culture. I did not know what to think, except to think about the faces of my loved ones back home. As I arrived in Shanghai, 14 hours later, I was immediately anxious to see China and my Chinese brothers and sisters.

A First Taste of China

You would think that a total of 17 hours traveling to Beijing China by plane would be exhausting afterward, but surprisingly … yes, yes it is, ha.

The Adventure That Started Three Years Ago

I still remember that summer three years ago when a 5-foot-tall teenager took a 12-hour flight and carried two 29-inch bags as she arrived on U.S. soil. I knew this would be a new adventure for me because, before I came to the U.S. from China, I hadn’t traveled so far away from home alone.

Do You Sell French Fries?

Hello everyone! In this week’s vlog, I talk about culture shock in Thailand and a few things I noticed that are different than the culture in the United States.

Culture Shock: Part 1

Culture shock. You’re bound to get it sooner or later while studying abroad. In these past seven weeks I’ve experienced quite a bit of it myself, and so has my friend, Frida.

In this video, Frida and I discuss three main culture shocks: WeChat and blocked websites, taking pictures and staring. But it doesn’t end there! We are constantly being surprised!