Life Update

I started this year with very little idea of how it would actually play out. I knew that I was going to China for a semester to study and then I knew that I would be in India for the summer, but I didn’t have any idea what these two experiences would actually consist of or whether I would even be happy. Now, at 5 ½ months into this year, I can begin to reflect on this semester and also look forward to some of the things in the future.

I have been in China for a little over three months and have loved my time here. I arrived on the 13^th of February and moved to Shanghai on the 24^th. Since then, I have had some pretty crazy and fun experiences. I have attended a Fashion Week party, explored the great wall in the snow, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at an Irish pub, eaten hundreds of dumplings, sang at Karaoke, taken 197 OFO bike rides, drank Irish coffee at the largest Starbucks in the world, got a custom suit made, dyed my hair, and made some amazing friends.

I could definitely see myself living here at some point in my life. The only deterrents would be the air pollution and internet blockage. However, the government is working on the air pollution issue and there are ways around the firewall. As a city, Shanghai is welcoming and truly a good time. The food scene is amazing, there is always something to do, and it is truly a mixing pot of culture. The other great part is how safe it is. I have never been even relatively worried about my wellbeing, and that’s a pretty awesome feeling.

I will finish my last final on Wednesday, July 4^th, and will then fly to Hong Kong that evening. I will spend three days exploring one of the most-happening cities in the world before flying to Mumbai, India on Saturday, July 7^th. I am being given housing by my summer employer, the VIVA Group, and will move into this on July 8^th. I will then begin work at VIVA during the week of July 9^th. I will be doing some sort of development work for VIVA. I am unsure of exactly what this will consist of, but I am very excited to find out as the work comes my way.

I will be living in Northern Mumbai but am planning on traveling for at least a few weekends during my time there. I am going to go to Delhi and then onto the Taj Mahal to visit one of the world’s top monuments.  I am planning to do this at the beginning of August. Towards the end of August, I will be heading to Chennai, in the south, to visit my friend Shruti and attend her cousins wedding. I am very excited for this.

I will be finishing up in Mumbai at the beginning of September and will then head home for around a week and a half before heading to London (most likely). I have been accepted to University College London, one of the top 15 universities in the world, for the 2018/2019 academic year. I have to finalize a few things before I accept the offer, but this is most likely where I will be for my junior year. I will then return to GW for my senior year and graduate with a rather different college experience.

All in all, I am very happy with where I am at in my life and am looking forward to seeing what the next few months have in store. For now, I am just taking advantage of the present and having a damn good time.