1.) Predeparture ups and downs - To be honest, I had no giant illusions about the semester. I knew it would be very difficult so my excitement was always tempered by my nervousness about living in a 3rd world country in a language I sort of speak.
2.) Honeymoon phase - Pretty sure I skipped this and went straight into Culture Shock and Acute Homesickness.
3.) Culture Shock and Acute Homesickness - The first week was rough. I definitely wasn't the only one who thought this - before I got into the swing of school and taking buses, I questioned why I was even here! Didn't seem worth it but I also knew going home wasn't an option. Lots of things made me cry. Not a fun time but inevitable.
4.) Adaptation - Wheeeeeee! That's where I am now. Am used to everything - living with another family, getting around the city, balancing work with fun - it's like I've always been here. Except that there's a lot I miss, and I realized that this week marks the halfway point for me! Which also means I'm feeling these Pre-return Ups and Downs coming. I'm already missing a lot of things, excited to come back but knowing it's going to be weird leaving this place I'm coming to love.
Will update about the remaining steps later :)
So that was my cute entry about Cultural Adaptation. Have done nothing of interest this weekend - just relaxing and going out, and today I need to do some homework. Big surprise - don't feel like it at all :) I also have a blog I wrote a few days ago that I'm going to publish because I can't think of anything to add to it.
Chau amigos!
Cynthia
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