An American in a Foreign Land (aka San Francisco)

Wow! I'm already observing and learning so much about the differences in U.S. and Chinese customs, culture, and language and I haven't even left the San Francisco airport yet! This trip is going to be quite different from my other travels abroad. When living in Australia for five years as a child or studying abroad in undergrad 12 years ago I was much more prepared for what I was about to experience. For example, when I spent a semester in France i had been studying French customs, culture, and the language for years; I was nervous but prepared. This trip is the exact opposite. This trip holds so many unknowns so I'm both excited and scared. Unlike other trips to Germany, Austria, Australia and France, I feely grossly unprepared because I do not speak Chinese and my tourist phrase book seems suddenly juvenile. What an amazing opportunity though. Speaking optimistically, by not knowing anything, I feel like I have no biases to check at the door and am open to learning, gulping, and absorbing everything I can on this trip. I look forward to the opportunities I will be presented with and so proud to be joining Dr. Mu, my classmates, and the Bush School on this journey.