Home is where the heart is

This experience in Vietnam has been truly beautiful from beginning to finish. Coming here I had feeling of anticipation and I had no idea what I was in store for. Since day one of EAP I had begun to fall in love with Vietnam and the people here. Now that I'm leaving soon I feel as though I'm going through a break up that I had seen coming. I never thought that I would learn so much about myself and about the world around me. What I think was most important was that I was able to grow as a person. I learned how to love myself and become a true individual. And these things are something that I would never forget and always take with me. For that, I thank everyone who has made my experience here an unforgettable journey.

I have never come into a place where I have felt like I belonged. Even with my little grasp of vietnamese and the mere fact that I've lived my entire life in America, although it was a strange place I still found home and comfort in the people outside and the environment I tossed myself in. I still remember the first Bia Hoi with UCHANU and I was talking to Vi about how I was afraid of being homesick and how I was still wondering why I haven't felt it coming yet. He told me that the reason I don't feel homesick here is because amongst all the differences I find somewhere in my heart that this place is home. Now that I'm nearing the end of this program I find that what he said was true.

It's hard not to step outside and remember the faces of my aunties, uncles and even my mother. I constantly find comfort in the fact I went on this adventure for them, to find a seek a deeper connection with the people I've called my family my entire life.

What I didn't expect to find was family amongst my friends and the people I met here. It's amazing to see how much each of us has grown since day one, and I love that we all grew together. Although we might've each had our own personal journeys, we still began together and here we are approaching the finish line. I suppose it's not the finish line because everything we've learned here is going to carry on with us as we come back home to the friends and family we've always known.

I think something I will never forget is meeting all the locals here and the super awesome HANU students. I remember entering Pho Co for the first day scared as a mouse looking into the eyes of a cat. I thought I would never be able to do any of this on my own and that I would need some holding my hand, but the HANU students helped us so much. They showed us new things and a beautiful side of Ha Noi starting with their warm friendships. Working with them throughout the year and getting to know them has been so amazing. I think the way I will take the experience in EAP and UCHANU back home with me is in my heart. I know that leaving will be one of the hardest things I will ever do, but as the quote goes, home is where the heart is, and I take home everywhere I go. I know the relationships we've created here aren't going to stop when I enter that airplane.

Lastly I thank Gerard, A Thai and Chi Moc for guiding me through this EAP journey. Beauty is to be found eveywhere in Ha Noi, especially the people.

This is me signing off of my last blog!
It's not good-bye, it's hen gap lai nhe? :' )