The Not So End-End

Travel changes you. 

Seeing the world, living in a different city, consuming the culture, eating the cuisine, respecting different religions; travel makes you learn. Whether you travel from coast to coast or board a plane for a 17 hour, 8,000 mile flight; travel pushes you out of your comfort zone. I have witnessed growth from my study abroad classmates and myself to no end.

My family at the Zhejiang International Studies University in Hangzhou

Four months ago, I was living in my hometown of 900 people. Four months ago, I never traveled out of the country or flew my by myself. Four months ago I didn't know any Mandarin; a language I was going to be completely surrounded in. Four months ago I never thought I would learn so much from this experience. Now that my program has ended, I am speechless that I managed to survive in a city of 9,000,000 people. I am proud that I successfully flew 17 hours across the globe and threw myself into a new culture. Not being able to understand anything on information boards while flying domestically within China, missing a train 1,000 miles from Hangzhou and independently traveling across South Asia all show that I have grown individually.

National Park in Hong Kong

But most importantly, I am proud that I did all this while only being 20 years old. Twenty years old and I lived in one of the most culturally different countries apart from America. America is beautiful, yet the world outside our National Boarders is amazing as well. Climbing the Great Wall of China, biking on the Xi'an Ancient City Wall, independently traveling to Shanghai and climbing mountains in Guilin; I have had the best time of my life. So, with this not so end-end, I say goodbye. I say goodbye to my Chinese friends, the strangers I have met along the way and the countries that I have visited while my time abroad. I am writing this in the Tokyo Airport, watching my plane drive up to the jet bridge. My journey is coming to an end. An end that I knew would come, but never expected it to arrive so soon. Always happens that way, doesn't it?(:

Mountains near Guilin. 

Anyway, this is a not-so-end-end too because I independently traveled to five different places outside China with one of my best friends. I will have a lot to say about those experiences but needed to get this post out of the way first. I loved Asia, the people met and the person I have become. I am headed home now! I can't wait to share my experiences with everyone.

Thank you to my parents, sister and family who have supported me and my decision to come on this adventure. Thank you to my friends at home who have been listening to my stories and looking at my pictures I send them. Thank you to my new friends that I have made in Hangzhou; you all hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to my study abroad classmates and advisors,...I can't explain how much each and every one of you mean to me. Without a doubt, thank you God for blessing me and allowing me to have this experience. I love you all.

See you shortly.

Tyler










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