It's that time of the year again, when people are getting exchange programmes all over the world. I think it's NUS' turn this time. I think I realise it more, because although NTU's exchange programmes happen like half a month earlier than NUS', I have more friends in NUS than I do in NTU (I mean for NTU it's like... Chrys and no one else). I don't know why but it seems like getting an exchange in NUS is easier than getting one in NTU, and MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than getting one in SMU? Someone please enlighten me on why this so. #doesnotstudylocally

Suddenly FB (and to a lesser extent, twitter) is inundated with status updates like: "You have been offered a place at -enter university name here- for the student exchange programme during NUS AY2012/2013 Semester 1" along with added squealing and emoticons/smileys/etc.

I mean, I'm just like lol, congrats guys (: Although I wouldn't personally want to go to many of the unis which my friends/acquaintances are heading to (I think I only have one friend whom I envy to a certain extent, she got a place at the University of British Columbia which has a beyond gorgeous campus), I think my point of view is skewed and biased because I already study overseas. If I had ended up in NUS/SMU/NTU and got a exchange programme, I think my reaction would be exactly the same. Like $#@% YES!~ As long as it's overseas and far from S'pore, I would have been happy. I guess this reminded me of how fortunate I am, to be able to travel as often as I do around Europe, and to be able to see what I wake up to every day. Even though it's cold and miserable sometimes, I am thankful for what I have.

I mean, I travel so damn much I'm sick of travelling and flying on planes. That has got to say something right? :/ (Everyone at home: WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT I WOULD KILL TO BE YOU.) I really am blessed: recently, in less than half a year (Sept '11 to Jan '12), I've already been to/am going to 5 countries in Europe in total, not counting UK and S'pore.

I'm honestly humbled by and grateful for the things I have been blessed with. I don't think I appreciate my situation enough sometimes, and I guess I ought to do it more often. I'm just really glad and happy that my friends in S'pore can experience this too, the joy of leaving home and fending for yourself, being independent, and hopefully they'll learn to appreciate their parents and their home and being in Singapore more. I've met too many people who are going overseas to study (armyboyz, this is you) and they see this as an escape, to "get out" of the country and leave all the shit behind. I am almost ashamed to admit I was once like that too, but I suppose I was less fervent and open about it. Yes, you feel like that when you leave and the first term is just you letting loose and being free. But after a while, I believe that everyone, through leaving home, will ultimately appreciate it more someday.

It's the small things really. You gain lots of freedom, sure. But you have to do your own laundry, wash your own dishes, take care of all your admin stuff yourself, cook for yourself, clean for yourself, travel by yourself (sorry ah, no one to ferry you around)... Plus you have to be more careful on the streets and no, you can't actually eat any S'porean food anymore. They've Chinese food yes, but other than prawn mee and laksa and chicken rice and a few more, there is nothing else. No bak chor mee, no seafood soup, no sugarcane juice, no fishball mee, no pig organ soup, no Malay/Indian food... It's sad. ):

So yes, through the excitement of leaving and thinking about all you will gain, I hope that you guys think about what you're losing too (: But I suppose for a short six month exchange, the excitement will probably last throughout. Heh heh. Enjoy, you guys (: Wrap up warm.