Back in Chengdu

After the whirlwind trip around the world over my Christmas break I am back in Chengdu and attempting to adjust back to life. The new year is a time for resolutions and to make oneself better and discover truths to help us live our individual lives. I've been thinking about how I want to change and improve in the coming year and how that can help with my blogging and traveling.

Living as an expat is hard, especially in China. The culture and language barrier are so extreme they often push me even more into my comfort zone of being in the expat community. I often experience culture shocks everyday, I'm not sure they will ever end while I live here.

I have often heard people talk about how China changes them. I'm not sure if China really changes people or just uncovers somethings they already knew about themselves. I have found in certain situations the culture divide is so great you either adapt or leave. Is all of this to say I don't like China? I would say no. I like China and throughly enjoy living here with the challenges of daily life. Would life be easier I could speak the language, yes. Even learning a few words here and there have helped me immensely.

Travel and living international broadens our perspective of the world and can make it a smaller place. Take time to learn about another culture and remove personal bias. It makes a world of difference.