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And the journey begins..
Chicago, Illinois
Although I've known for the past four months where I would be studying abroad, I was still utterly unprepared when it turned time to leave. Not packed and not mentally prepared, I was forced into the car at 4:45 in the morning. The fifteen minutes before we left for the airport were panicked as piles of items, which needed to be nicely stored in their compartments, were dumped into a chaotic mess at the bottom of my suitcase. My mom was nice enough to avoid the I told you so's and stick with an encouraging "next time we'll be more prepared." While the previous months held nothing but overwhelming excitement for the trip, from obsessive research, the final moments in Richmond were bitter sweet and filled with tears. My mom asked me if I got to kiss my dog good-bye and it was little things like this that put me over the edge, because no of course I had not had time in my rapid exit. Note to self, don't plan smaller trips such as a trip to New York for the weekend before large trips such as time abroad, its impossible to stay focused.
Even though I was sure that I was prepared as of yesterday afternoon, saying "oh I just have one or two things left to pack!" I found myself thinking of many items I would have to simply do without as I pulled into the airport. In a trip this large it seems inevitable to forget many aspects along the way. I was rudely reminded of this as I arrived at the airport only to remember that I have only ever traveled in groups before and this time I was on my own. But independence was what I was searching for with this trip and it found me in this odd scenario - my first opportunity to prove that I have it together. As I sit in the terminal in Chicago's O'Hare Airport, I can't help but think:
1) one airport down
2) remember this is the independence you asked for
3) can you think of a better learning experience about yourself?
This entire trip will be shaped by perspective and it must start within the bustling airport. Rather than letting myself get overwhelmed, I must think on my feet, ask questions and ultimately have excitement about the little things, such as navigating within the airport effectively and learning to use the gate ticker. Having already missed an international flight, I have most certainly learned the high costs associated with failure, therefore its not an option. I'll have to make sure to keep this attitude in Singapore as well - making sure to choose excitement . I should opt to explore rather than choosing monotony and comfort of a routine.
I'm excited to push my boundaries and explore the city and all the individual ethnic areas that compose it. Singapore is a fusion of cultures and also very westernized, which provides the perfect opportunity for me to seamlessly observe the different cultures which shape the country. I hope to travel within the city for exposure to these cultures through restaurants, museums, shops and attractions but I also hope to travel to the countries which influence Singapore and are so close by.
I don't know what to expect out of where I am living. The pictures of the dorm itself look gorgeous - immaculately clean, really bright with natural light, and inviting. They look somewhat like an oasis with all the new amenities, the palm trees and the sleek design. However its hard to understand what surrounds them and how close they actually sit to the city center. I have heard that the campus is within a suburbia, which doesn't sound incredibly appealing, but it will be interesting to see how an American suburbia and a Singaporean suburbia differ.
I'm also interested in seeing the food selection that they have. I feel like within the American culture the dominating types of food are Italian, Mexican, and Chinese - which seemingly have no basis in geography or history of trade. It will be interesting to see which types of food dominate the Singaporean landscape and my guess is that it will be more regionally influenced than the American culture. I wonder if I will be able to find any enchiladas or lasagna in my adventures.
Lastly it will be interesting to see how "westernized" Singapore truly is. Singapore is often described in this way but it will be interesting to see how it affects what occurs on a daily basis. I have heard that many of the shops and stores I will see come from the western culture but in what other aspects of the culture will western societies have played an influence? In food, in matters of showing respect, in typical behaviors, or in vocabulary? It will be interesting to observe what I see as similarities between the two cultures and it will also be interesting to see what third party cultures observe as similarities. This could be eye opening as to how I view my own culture.
I'm wondering if at the end of this trip I will be more appreciative of where I come from or more prepared and excited to continue exploring for bigger and better destinations than the United States. While I'm guessing I will have the normal homesickness and bias, it will be interesting to compare the merits of our governments, of our school systems, and of our people as a collective body. Although it won't matter which country I find to be superior, it will be these differences which effectively shape my view of the world when I return. Better understanding the key differences between these two cultures will also aid in a business career as I can effectively identify their strengths and weaknesses. This could help me better identify with clients or partners and find better solutions to the business problems associated with increasing globalization especially within Asia.
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