Reflections

My exchange program in Singapore has officially come to its end. Now that it is over, I have been reflecting a lot on the entire experience. Isn't it funny how it often takes the cessation of something to make us understand and appreciate its worth?

I can honestly say that the experience has changed my life. The places I have been to have opened my eyes to the indescribable beauty of the world, augmenting my curiosity and thirst to discover even more. I never knew that such places existed in the world. It only makes me wonder what other sights the world has to offer.
The people I met there, by chance, enriched the experience. Although the places were incredible, it was the people that made the journey to the locations worthwhile and truly memorable.
I came there, not knowing a single person. It was a huge leap of faith on my part, venturing to Asia on my own, but I was ready to take the plunge. I remember feeling scared. I remember the night before I came here, I turned to my mom and asked "Mom, what if I don't make any friends? What if I am lonely?" I now find myself surrounded by friends that I feel like I have known forever. I not only met some of the sweetest, most adventurous, kindest people on exchange, I have formed lasting relationships with them that I know will endure. I exceeded my own expectations of the kind of friendships I have made, and for that I feel exceptionally lucky.

But perhaps the most important thing I have learned on the program is the concept, and precious nature, of time. I have always been a person who is looking ahead in time - my life was always dominated by the future. Before one experience was over, I was already thinking about the next one, never truly living in the moment. I came there with the goal of learning how to truly just enjoy the moment I was in. Swimming in the middle of the South China Sea in the Philippines... climbing to the top of ancient Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia... going cliff jumping with my friends in Thailand... I have never felt true happiness like I did in those moments, where all problems, difficulties, worries, and skepticism about anything diminished, and I was left there, truly happy and grateful. Just me and the moment.

The time that I had in Singapore seemed too short, but i realize that because it was so short- really a mere a chapter in my life- it made it an even sweeter experience. Isn't it crazy how sometimes, it only takes one single person, out of the numerous that you may know, to make a lasting impact on your life? In a way, this experience was like that one person.
I'm looking forward to the ways in which I will apply what I have learned in Singapore to the situations, difficulties, and opportunities that I will encounter in the future. In the words of Sam, I've learned that life is all about perspective: you could be dealt the best hand or the worst hand - but I truly believe that it's the angle in which you look at it that makes all the difference.