Student Exchange to Ohio Northern University, U.S.A.
I remember how thrilled I was to learn that Ming Chuan University has various study abroad programs to offer. I was a little reluctant to apply right away during my freshmen year because I was worried about improving my Mandarin Chinese to a conversational level. By the time that I felt ready, I was already in my sophomore year. I decided to apply to Ohio Northern University, which is located in the United States. The reason behind that decision was that I have been to the country a couple of times, not to mention that I was also an exchange student in the U.S. my junior year of high school. Hence, I believed that I could never go wrong if I choose a country where I could see myself having a great time; however, I was wrong only because it was even better this time.
There were two requirements needed for the study abroad program. One was the average academic grade points at Ming Chuan University being over 75. As I am writing this, I am still happy about passing that requirement. It feels very nice to have your hard work pay off. Another was passing an English placement test. The only problem with applying for the exchange program later in my sophomore year was that my IELTS score I obtained in order to apply for Ming Chuan University has already expired. Therefore, I had to book another test. With a little help from my friend, Angel Chiu, I got the registration process out of the way. I was so thankful that she spent lots of time taking me to the testing center that she was familiar with because she took the test there before. It was a big challenge for me because, frankly, I hate taking tests.
I was not, in the very least, worried about going on the exchange program. Before I flew out, I have already heard back from three of my roommates. I did not think I would have trouble settling in; however, my host family from last time insisted that we spent some time together before the semester started. As a result, I booked an earlier flight so I had approximately three weeks to spend with them. They even drove me up from North Carolina to Ohio, saying they would like to visit my school. On the move in day, we went and inspected my apartment on campus. Well, my host father did and I am not going to take credit for his. All of that was the very beginning of my journey in Ohio.
The first week at Ohio Northern University was easygoing because it was geared towards international students. International student services worked hard to plan everything out for us, starting from having a mentor taken us to a friendly tour around campus and helped us open a bank account, and taking us on a shopping trip to Walmart. A lot happened during the first week, but the best part was getting to make friends. I got to hang out with international students who were in the same boat as me because they were as excited as I was about the upcoming semester. I got to meet my two roommates in person for the first time and learned that the other one had already transferred to another school so there would only be the three of us. Then, I got to meet all of their crazy friends later in the same week.
When the end of the semester drew near, my friends convinced me that I needed to extend my exchange program to a year. I almost forgot to mention that almost all the friends whom I have met during my stay were seniors so they wanted me to stay for their graduation ceremony and possibly go on some fun adventures before leaving the country. I took the matter to my professors, all of whom encouraged me to stay. At that moment, I came to a realization of how privileged I was to be surrounded by these awesome people.
I made many friends whom I will always keep in touch with: my two roommates and their groups of easy going friends who always took good care of me and gave useful advice when asked, my mentor who always had to put up with my attitudes, my fellow exchange student companion from China who was both a caring sister and inevitably the best chef out there. Unfortunately, I cannot mention all of the amazing people I met on my journey here because I am running out of space. Nevertheless, each and every person I have met whilst there definitely contributed to my growth academically as well as mentally.
Finally, I am forever grateful for encouragement from my professors, countless prayers from friends and their families, and, of course, my family members back home who were always there to support me and made this journey of mine possible.