update.
Well, I think that sometimes I forget why I actually made this livejournal--to update people back home on how my semester abroad is going. This website often turns into my disturbed musings on life rather than interesting knowledge for curious friends! I apologize :) (And have no real intention of changing things much--I like musing too much--go figure!)
Overall, the past few weeks have been very good. I know that I am learning something, I can feel myself growing. I have gone to class occasionally, turned in one assignment so far, and given two presentations. Needless to say, my time here has not been altogether focused on academics, and rightly so! I have found school easy enough. Hopefully that doesn't come back to haunt me later. I have spent much more time an energy doing other, more productive (in my opinion) activities, like learning about the culture, meeting new people, and travelling.
I have been very aware of the finite nature of my stay here. Even as I bulid friendships with people and develop relationships, I know that I will have to say goodbye before long. This puts an odd spin on how I live socially. I love to make new friends, but these are temporary, and that makes me sad. I feel like I could stay--I could do my whole university time here, and love it. This is exciting, fresh, and nerve-racking. But I have deep roots somewhere else--home and hope--always calling me back.
I feel like I have been challenged to think more deeply about life and faith while I've been here. Different friends have made me think in new ways. I see Christians and non-Christians differently. I am decidedly less confident AND more confident in myself. Through difficulty and crazy amounts of fun, Jesus is pushing me along, helping me to grow, little by little.
Overall, the past few weeks have been very good. I know that I am learning something, I can feel myself growing. I have gone to class occasionally, turned in one assignment so far, and given two presentations. Needless to say, my time here has not been altogether focused on academics, and rightly so! I have found school easy enough. Hopefully that doesn't come back to haunt me later. I have spent much more time an energy doing other, more productive (in my opinion) activities, like learning about the culture, meeting new people, and travelling.
I have been very aware of the finite nature of my stay here. Even as I bulid friendships with people and develop relationships, I know that I will have to say goodbye before long. This puts an odd spin on how I live socially. I love to make new friends, but these are temporary, and that makes me sad. I feel like I could stay--I could do my whole university time here, and love it. This is exciting, fresh, and nerve-racking. But I have deep roots somewhere else--home and hope--always calling me back.
I feel like I have been challenged to think more deeply about life and faith while I've been here. Different friends have made me think in new ways. I see Christians and non-Christians differently. I am decidedly less confident AND more confident in myself. Through difficulty and crazy amounts of fun, Jesus is pushing me along, helping me to grow, little by little.