mrveitch

February 2012 I began my second semester abroad with BU in Shanghai. My 20 hours a week interning for the Department of Commerce FCS, combined with another 20 dedicated to language and culture studies, meant that I was quite busy. I was so focused on doing well in my obligations at the time I didn’t really notice just how much I was growing from the experience.

Given that this was my second go at it, much of what made the first trip difficult no longer bothered me. I had grown accustomed to the squat toilets and stares and was even able to get by with the language (there really is no substitute for full immersion). Still, the language is hard and being so far from home home, from the familiarity of the US takes its toll. The support of the BU staff and coworkers at my internship (and fellow students too, of course) helped me to not only survive, but to thrive and come out of the experience a better person. They pushed me to do my best in At the end of my term, I made the decision to begin my post college career in either China or the Peace Corps (my intern supervisor was a volunteer and put the idea in my head).

As luck would have it, I was not only accepted to the Peace Corps, but invited to serve in China. Admittedly, I wasn’t thrilled to be a teacher, but the thought of being immersed in the Chinese culture again and continuing to improve my Chinese was more than enough reason to give it a try.

I am closing in on completing a full year of service and I can say with confidence that I am where I am in part thanks to the guidance of BU Shanghai Director Professor Allison Rottmann and Commercial Service Officer Keenton Chiang.*

*This thank you note serves as the first in a series of posts relating to my first year of service. More to come as the day draws near .(Although I was technically not a volunteer until August, June 22nd marks the day I arrived in China as a trainee)

**The pic is actually from my first time abroad and was taken in Beijing, but there is no better pic from my time in China. I’ve been integrating since 19