Well, here I am, sitting in my hotel room the afternoon before I catch a plane home to the U.S. To risk sounding a little cheesy, it's hard to believe that I've been living here for almost an entire year and that it's now time to go home. In fact, it still hasn't quite hit me--my brain is still firmly convinced that I'm just on another extended vacation and at some point in the near future I will turn around and head back to Qufu. It is hard to internalize the fact that, if I ever do return to China, it likely won't be for several years. And I have to say, as happy as I am to be heading home I will also miss the home I've made here and all of the great people I've gotten the chance to meet and get to know. I would like to formally (well, as formally as you can on a blog) thank China, the university, and everyone I've met this year for giving me such an amazing experience. There were times I was about ready to tear my hair out, but for the most part I was happy and there is no doubt that I have learned and experienced much more in these short months than I likely did in my entire four years of college. So thanks, China. You did good.
Finally, I would like to give a special shout out to my students. They will probably never read this blog, since it is usually blocked in China, but they deserve some serious credit for being enthusiastic, helpful, fun, and--well--for showing me just how challenging being a teacher can be. Though there were many times throughout the semester when I considered coming to class wielding a baseball bat, all in all I love them and I will miss them. I sincerely hope I get the chance to see them again.
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| Debate dinner |
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| The pinata was a huge hit at our class party |
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| ...but the human knot proved a little more difficult |
In conclusion, I have had a great time here and I'm sad to be leaving. But I am very happy I came and I'm looking forward to any chance to visit China again in the future.
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