The semester is over. If it weren't for the Philippines I would actually be on a plane right now flying back to America, strangely enough with one of the girls from my program– we had the same itinerary. Anyways, today is a sad day. I woke up early this morning with Alex to go to our favorite street food vendors for a last feast of che and pineapple for breakfast. One by one all my friends are leaving me! It is so strange to say goodbye to all of my classmates as they depart for America or for some last minute traveling around Southeast Asia. Last night at our farewell dinner I was filled with so many emotions while saying goodbye, wrapping up our program, and reflecting on the experiences we have had. Every time I have to say goodbye to one of my friends I feel so sad and like it isn't real, that we aren't really leaving each other (well more like they are leaving me since I'm going to be in Vietnam for another month). Our group was so random and quirky, there were definitely times when all I wanted was some space but generally speaking we always have so much fun together and we have shared something that many other people will never understand, I truly am going to miss them. I recently came to the realization that this is the last time until April that I am going to be surrounded by Americans– or I guess just be in a group of Americans (I am never "surrounded" by Americans in Vietnam). That is a really weird concept to try and swallow... it'll just be me from here on out. I will probably meet up with some people over the next month as our Southeast Asia travels overlap, but generally speaking– I am on my own.
The past 14 weeks have gone by so quickly– it honestly feels like it was just a few days ago that I arrived in Vietnam and met the whole group, I can remember it so clearly. In the past three and a half months I have experienced so much– I can't believe how many things I have seen, heard, and tasted! I know I am not leaving Vietnam quite yet, but just discussing and reflecting on everything we have experienced this semester was very powerful and emotional. I am so glad that I still have about a month left in this beautiful country, I just am not ready to say goodbye to Vietnam. I also wasn't ready to say goodbye to all my friends, but that actually had to happen. It is a little daunting that I am now on my own, if I have a problem there is no academic director for me to call. In the famous words of Co Thuy, my Vietnamese teacher, "Don't be worry" I am not roughing it by myself here in Nam. I move back in with my homestay family this afternoon and Co Thanh will be in touch with me in the next few days about teaching English at some center so I can do something productive with all my free time. Plus, I will see a lot of my friends in about a week when they come back to HCMC after their excursions to Cambodia, Thailand, and Hong Kong so we can have one more bout of fun.
More to come later on final presentations but for now I am just going to sit around and feel so fortunate to have had such an incredible semester (but also I am going to do a little bit of moping and feeling sad that it is over).
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