7,354 miles

Jennifer Ushakov
September 3, 2014

7,354 miles. The number has been running through my head all day. Thatā€™s how far Harrisburg, PA is from Shanghai, China. And thatā€™ll be the farthest Iā€™ve ever been from home. In 22 hours, Iā€™ll be on a plane on my way to live and study abroad for the next four months. It hasnā€™t fully hit me yet.

Iā€™ve been to China once before (Beijing in May 2013) for a grand total of two weeks. I spent those two short weeks with a group traveling to many of Beijingā€™s touristy must-sees, taking it all in, and exhausting my poor camera ā€“ especially at the Great Wall because wow. After returning home, I knew that studying back in China was something I absolutely wanted to do.

P.S.- Iā€™m typing this post while flipping through every ā€œwhat ifā€ scenario for the heaps of clothes still laying around me.

As far as what to expect once I get to Shanghai: I have absolutely no idea. And thatā€™s the fun part, right? Taking a leap into that ā€œgreat unknown,ā€ really jumping out of my comfort zone, and taking on every opportunity thrown my way.

ā€¦tell that to the nervous/excited/terrified/eager knot in my stomach that appeared only a few hours ago.

ā€“Whoa, forgot I still had these shoesā€¦do they still fit?ā€¦oh, they fit great!ā€¦probably should throw them inā€¦for old timeā€™s sakeā€¦just in caseā€¦ā€“

Iā€™m excited to experience such a new culture and way of life ā€” both of which are SO incredibly different from Western traditions. I want to feel that culture shock ā€“ whether it be with food, language, transportation, or minute differences in daily life ā€“ and be placed in those awkward situations where Iā€™ll have to utilize my language skills to get by; I donā€™t want to have English as a fallback.

I want to get lost in the city and find my own way home. I want to barter with vendors for cheap goods. I want to go to the street market and try some bizarre food. Maybe these situations would make some people uncomfortable but I prefer to be pushed outside my element.

ā€“The weather says thereā€™s maybe, sometimes, once in a blue moon, a tiny bit of snow. Soā€¦three pairs of boots! No? But. Two? Fine, one pair then.ā€“

English is the universal language of travel and, granted, I am going to one of the worldā€™s largest metropolitan cities, which will make it tough to avoid. But I figure that outside the city ā€“ and even inside in the much less touristy areas ā€“ English is not as prevalent.

The thing is: I think to really appreciate another culture, itā€™s necessary to delve into all aspects ā€“ especially its language. Or at least make some sort of effort to connect with locals. Although English is convenient, I think the convenience and ease of it is exactly what takes away from the travelerā€™s authentic experience of a new culture.

ā€“Wait, in all seriousness: what if I step in a puddle while wearing my wool socks, so I take them off to dry, and a hawk swoops down out of nowhere and snatches them? Should probably pack extras. ā€¦althoughā€¦does China even have hawks?ā€“

A part of me ā€“ as Iā€™m sure anyone else would be ā€“ is anxious and terrified because, well, I donā€™t know what this experience will bring. I donā€™t know what to expect and I donā€™t know if Iā€™m prepared for everything coming my way.

ā€“Definitely. China definitely has hawks.ā€“

But really, Iā€™m eager because I know Iā€™m about to have the adventure of a lifetime and I canā€™t wait for it to begin already :)

Jennifer Ushakov

<p><span style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; background-color: rgb(237, 237, 237);">Hi! Originally from Harrisburg, PA, I am currently a junior at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a degree in Finance with a minor in Chinese language. I&#39;ve been studying Mandarin since high school and am incredibly thrilled to have the chance to practice my language skills abroad this fall! In my free time, I love binge watching Netflix, experimental home-cooking, and spontaneous outdoor adventures. Come along as I explore the heart of Shanghai this semester!</span></p>

Destination:
Home University:
University of Pittsburgh
Major:
Finance
Management
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