The End of the Semester is Near
November 21st, 2010 | Categories: School, Travel | 5 CommentsThis week is the last full week of my fall semester abroad. Aside from the usual tell tale signs of the end of semester, like revising for final exams and writing final papers, my surroundings signal the end of all that I’ve become accustomed to and grown to love this semester. I’ve started to pack up my stuff in my suitcases in preparation for when I move out of my apartment; my friends and I are swapping our photos of various events throughout the semester; plans are being made to go see sites in Beijing that we’ve put off visiting in all the time we’ve been here.
It’s not even what I’m doing, or what my friends are doing, that all point to the end of a fall semester abroad. It’s the fact that the bustling outdoor night market along the main street near my apartment building got closed down, so the street is empty every time I walk along it in the evenings. It’s the fact that the nearby outdoor biergarten, which had the best fried 饺子 (jiǎozi / potstickers) I’ve ever eaten, got closed down as well. It’s the fact that the regular 串儿 (chuànr / kebabs) sellers outside the clubs are no longer there, having left for other places. It’s the fact that my favorite bubble tea chain changed their summer specialty drink to that of a winter specialty. It’s the fact that all the markets have changed the shoes and clothing selection to that of winter fashion.
And let’s not talk about the impending goodbyes I have to say to all the friends I made in my program this semester. Because that, for obvious reasons, is going to be extremely difficult. It’s always hard to guess how close you can become to someone over the course of just a semester. But when you are abroad, friendships are stronger and experiences abroad are inextricably tied with those who you are friends with. It’s hard to believe that once we part ways at the end of the semester, I might not ever see some of the people I’ve become close to over the last few months.
I’m gonna make this last week count like no other.
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Hi, I'm Manda. I'm a college student studying communications and languages. I like to read, shop, bake, and travel. I have a tendency to listen to my favorite songs on repeat for hours on end. Sometimes I catch myself thinking in a language other than English. 
Aw. That does sound like a very sad time. I’m sorry you have to leave. At least you will forever have the memories of your wonderful times!
This semester went by really quickly; it seems like only a little while ago that I read about how you were just starting your semester abroad. That’s why if/when I study abroad, I want to do it for a full school year, not just one semester.
It’s sad that the semester is coming to a close, but at least you have all the memories of the good times you had before it ended! And you’ll get to go home and see some other friends who you haven’t seen all semester. Just try to look on the bright side as much as you can. :)
And yeah, you’d better make this week count.
Wow, I’ve never really heard about anyone reflect about their semester overseas so I’ve never realised how sad that must be. Those kind of feelings are usually observed for people i know that are graduating and moving on. I’m sure at least you’ll have plenty of friends to visit all over the world though! :)
Aw so sad :( agree at least you will have these amazing memories :)
[...] all of my close friends from last semester! Much as I love China and Hong Kong, they both just aren’t the same without them. Places are [...]