Preparing to study abroad in China!

Hi, so this is my first post. I’ve been meaning to write something, anything that can be some sort of introduction post, but with assignments in the way (and Netflix to watch) I’ve not managed it until now.

So, a little introduction to me; I’m Rowan, I’m 20 (and have been for just four days) and I study Media and Communication. Last February, I spontaneously decided to study abroad after realising that no one can get in my way of chasing the dream I’ve had since Year 9. I was definitely late to the preparation process, I had definitely missed several meetings about the whole idea of studying abroad. But, even though I had my eyes set for Hong Kong, I am now preparing to study International Journalism (plus Mandarin and Korean) at Zhuhai International College.

With only sixteen days to go, I am strangely calm. Of course, I have my moments where I remember I will be away from my family and friends for six months, but I am mostly calm.

Everyone tells me that it’s going to be an amazing experience, ask me if I’m nervous, and say that I’ll be great. My answers to these statements are; I know, yes, and thank you. It’s really nice to be cheered on by friends, family, and strangers.

But no one knows how you feel but yourself. I was the little girl at the sleepover that wanted to go home to her mum, the feeling was the same during a trip to Switzerland with the Scouts when I was eleven, and even the same when I went to Paris alone for the first time just last May.

I have lived away from home for two years before, but I saw my family every week. This will be a huge step for me, facing my fear with no turning back half way through.

My dream career is to be a travel journalist, I’ve wanted to live in Canada, Norway, Iceland, South Korea to name a few places. It’s just going the extra mile to have those experiences and prepare for what’s to come.

I can go happily and with confidence knowing that I did this by myself and didn’t let my anxieties ruin my dreams.

So, I will try to update this every week and will make sure that future posts won’t be so soppy and actually be fun to read!