Bitten by the Homesickeness Bug

Hello all,

This time, next week, I will be on a big ole' airplane back to the US.

I might be counting down the days.

A few weeks ago, I was counting down the days to come to China.  I was so excited for this adventure!   However, after I said goodbye to Pierce at the airport, I walked away from him crying.  It was super difficult and reminded me of the last time I cried in an airport, when I dropped him off for boot camp.

Basically, what I'm trying to say, is I'm homesick.  The first week was filled of all new things and really getting to experience China.  My second week has been a little more bittersweet.  Sure, I've seen a few cool procedures in the infertility center, but most of this week I've felt queasy and been battling the dreaded diarrhea.  Plus, only  one doctor I've been with this week has spoken English, so that's been different.  She's so busy, she usually forgets to translate anything unless I ask.

I did spend the night on-call in the OB department last night and scrubbed into a C-section.  Luckily, the basic steps to the operation are the same here as they are in the US.  It's difficult to be assisting an operation as a student when you know the language...last night there was literally no English spoken during the operation.
 
 I suppose I just expected there to be a bit more English.  The other IU student has been placed with one single doctor for the past 2 weeks, and I think his situation is a lot better than mine.  I've been bouncing around from doctor to doctor in various departments and clinics.  Sometimes, the person I'm supposed to be with forgets about me.  No one really seems to understand why I came here, since I don't speak Chinese.

I definately don't regret deciding to come to Guangzhou.  I have met some great people and observed a completely different healthcare system that makes me ridiculously grateful for the one we have in the US.  I have grown as an independent person and learned that I can survive in a foreign place in ok living conditions.  I can help in procedures where no one speaks my language.  I can make friends that barely speak English but somehow, we can understand each other just fine.  I can do a pelvic exam, telling the patient what to do with only hand motions!

And for all these things and many more that I have learned, I am thankful.

So, with just a week left, I am going to try and adopt a more positive attitude than I have had the past few days.  I am coming home to people that love and missed me.  Though it is still freezing in my room, at least I have shelter over my head and two blankets.  I have a bit of hot water and an occasional mini-Snickers bar.  I'll try to curb in my homesickness and live more in the moment.

Tomorrow, I'm off to see two of my favorite people in the world in Shanghai.  It's going to be an awesome weekend!

Sorry for the random venting/complaining blog post.  I feel better now :)

Until next time,

jessica.eae