I know I should be preparing for bed right now. I know. But, as cliche as it may be, I’m way too excited (or maybe nervous) to sleep. I mean, in just a few hours, I’ll be on a plane to New York. After that, I’m off to China. For six weeks, I will be... Continue Reading →
A NSLI-Yer’s Guide to the Galaxy (and How to Pack for It)
1 week. 7 days. 168 hours. 10,080 minutes. 604,800 seconds. Alright, I’ll stop. But still, as the big day approaches, I can’t help but count down the days, hours, and even minutes until I leave. Right now, I feel like I’m trapped in some weird time sphere, where time seems to move impossibly quickly and... Continue Reading →
Is This the Real Life? Is It Just Fantasy?
Things are finally starting to feel real. It’s hard to explain, but there’s a difference between knowing that I’m going off to China and feeling it. Ever since I got my acceptance email, I understood in my head that I would be going on this life-changing adventure. But, a small, irrational part of me felt... Continue Reading →
Calm, and then the Storm
It has been over a month since I last wrote, and for good reason - after the first webinar, I didn’t get much information. On the other hand, some of the other Chinese summer finalists (on different programs) had already gotten visa and language preparation materials, so us Chengdu kids were all a bit worried... Continue Reading →
Kit-Kats and Webinars
Before I start this post, let me fill you in on a little backstory. In both of my years applying to NSLI-Y, my friend Lilly has been one of my ultimate supporters. When I didn’t get in last year, she bought me a large quantity of Kit-Kats (one of my favorite candies). Nothing helped chase... Continue Reading →
How I Even Got Here
For my first “real” post on this blog, I wanted to start with one thing - failure. More specifically, my failure. Let me take you back… It was sometime in October 2017. I was sitting in class, when a guest presenter came in to talk about their study abroad experience with NSLI-Y. I was immediately... Continue Reading →
An Introduction Before the Beginning
Yes, I did have to put a picture of my acceptance email I honestly had no idea how to start this blog. Ever since I applied for the first time in 2017, I had been endlessly ruminating over what I wanted my blog to be like - the name, the aesthetic, the first entry. And... Continue Reading →
The Moonlight over the Bridge 