Thoughts

In five days I will be boarding a plane and spending the next year of my life in China.

I've been thinking about the course of actions that led me to where I am today. I've never been particularly interested in China, nor have I been particularly interested in foreign languages, teaching English as a second language, or spending a year away from my family and friends.

After the Peace Corps fell through, I still had a deep longing to travel the world. The world is far too large for me to stay in one place, ignorantly assuming that my beliefs and assumptions about the world are correct. I want to learn from every culture. I want to understand humanity and become more deeply connected to it. I want to see what brings people joy, what causes their pain, and how we as people can come together to create a better world. As cheesy and naive as that sounds, it is one of the most important goals in my life.

Recently, the thought of working in international affairs has been in the forefront of my mind. Being a citizen of, by far, the most powerful country in the world, I believe it is our responsibility to be the leaders of this "better world", to ensure that people have food, that people can express their beliefs without fear of reprisal from their governments, and that they are given a solid chance to create their own destiny.

I am not saying that the United States government should play father to all peoples in the world, I am simply stating that we as people need to fully understand the implications of our actions in a world that is increasingly globalized. We have more of an opportunity now to produce a world of equality than ever before. My philosophy comes down to this: If it is possible to do something that makes the world better, we are morally obligated to do so. Most people would argue that it is our moral imperative to help a wounded person on the street. I would argue that the majority of the world is a wounded person on the street.

One of the most rewarding experiences of my life has been the "Free Hugs" campaign, where, sporadically throughout the school year, I would take out a sign that says "Free Hugs" and give out hugs to people who want them. It is a reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of love and empathy. Although many people shy away, tease, or laugh, the people that give a large hug and whisper, "This is what I needed today, thank you," ensure that this is a tradition that I will not stop.

What does that have to do with foreign affairs, or more importantly, why I am in China? I'm not particularly sure, actually. I think I am trying to get across that I do want to understand people, and somehow I think that this trip to China is going to help me do that. By experiencing a culture drastically different from my own, I will get a greater, broader sense of the world as well as understanding my place in it.

When this opportunity came up, I knew I had to take it. I am scared as hell, (I am a 23 year old child), but I know that if I don't go I will regret it in the future. I'm mostly scared of failing, that I won't be able to spend the entire year there because of various reasons, but I am not going to let my fear take away an experience of a lifetime.

And maybe I'll bring home a panda.