I don’t really consider myself to be an athletic person, but I know what it feels like to stretch before or after a workout. At first your muscles are kind of tight, it’s difficult, and kind of uncomfortable. Being in a new country and experiencing a new culture is like stretching from the inside out. Even though it doesn’t seem natural at first the more you push yourself the more it benefits you.

Despite the occasional embarrassing and confusing moments (like when you try to ask a waitress what you thought was a simple question and before you know it there are five people that don’t speak English standing around you trying to figure out what you’re asking and how to respond) being in China has been amazing so far! It’s going to mean having a whole new perspective on life by the time this semester is over. After all, four months is a long time to stretch.