Packing, trying to stay awake so I can sleep on the plane, and fighting off a virus: that’s what I am doing as I prepare to leave America and travel to China. I am a terrible packer because I bring way more than I will ever need, but I used vacuum pack bags in order to bring plenty of clothes. I am apparently a very high maintenance traveler, but I’m okay with that.

I woke up this morning with a terrible stomach virus. That’s just my luck, by the way. I hope it isn’t an omen of how the trip will be. As the day has turned into night, my virus has gotten a bit better, so hopefully I will not have to use the necessary bags on the plane, if you catch my drift.

I am so excited about this trip. I know that it is going to be the experience of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to soak it all in. I am very sad to miss Mother’s Day and my brother’s high school graduation, but my family wanted me to be able to experience this. I will just have to make it up to them with A LOT of gifts.

I am a bit nervous about traveling and living in a foreign land. My little brother prayed, “God please wrap everyone on the trip in your arms.” The prayer was perfect, and I know God’s arms will be wrapped around us. It is so amazing to be able to do something like this, and I am so thankful for the tremendous blessing.

I hope to make some new friends, especially Chinese friends, to be immersed in the Chinese culture, and to learn a lot about myself in the process. I cannot even fathom what it is going to be like when I get there. All I can imagine is a whole new world, and that is so fascinating to me.

China here I come!

Kaitlin Chappell

Ni hao! My name is Kaitlin Chappell. I am a junior (soon to be senior) at the University of North Alabama. I am majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in marketing. My dream is to be a news reporter and eventually an anchor on Good Morning America. I love to talk and I love to meet new people and hear their stories. I love love and laughing. Coffee shops are one of my obsessions. Traveling is another. I will be studying abroad in China for three weeks at Tian Jian University. I will be exploring several different areas of China, learning the language and customs, and meeting the people. I will blog and post pictures and videos to capture my trip. Join me on my adventures in the great land of China.

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