Somewhere Over China...

I decided to go. In fact, I've gone. This entry comes at you from 30 000 feet above sea level – in a Singapore Airlines jumbo somewhere over the middle of China.

Things have been nothing short of manic for the past few weeks. It was about eight weeks from finding out I'd been selected for the position to actual departure. During that eight weeks I spent two weeks umm-ing and ahh-ing over whether to actually accept the position and once I'd done that I spent another week in Canberra for Pre-Departure Training. It was great to meet other AYADs at PDT but it was otherwise a terrible waste of time (and Canberra is one of the less exciting places to spend time. That said I did see the Tram Restaurant, surely a highlight of our national capital). I have been jabbed by the travel doctor (five in one day! I did get some jelly beans for being so good). I have packed up and sub-let my room, I have borrowed a van to move furniture, I resigned from my job and I have said my goodbyes.

A bit about what I am doing... I have been selected as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development, a volunteer program which sends young, skilled Australians overseas to work in the development sector. I found a job as a publicist in Chongqing, China, co-incidentally the same city my mum lived in for 2.5 years recently. It will be an interesting change of direction in my career and something which will hopefully open up new opportunities in the future. Chongqing is a big big city, one which I have visited a couple of times so I am somewhat familiar with it and have no real nerves about living there.

Once I found out I had been selected for the position it was a really tough decision to make as to whether to go. I changed my mind a number of times and eventually came to the compromise of accepting the position for a 6 month assignment rather than 12. I had been feeling ‘settled’ in Melbourne for the first time in about 5 years, in a great house with great people so that was quite hard to leave, that feeling of being located and grounded which I have once again exchanged for the excitement and adventure and challenge of living and working overseas! Of course there were other considerations, some much more important but I think the 6 month input will allow for the best of both worlds.

So here I am en route to Beijing for a week of orientation, language classes and most importantly SHOPPING. My emotions ran the full gamut on leaving Melbourne yesterday afternoon. I was incredibly sad to leave my bare room and fab housemates. Chantelle made bacon and eggs for breakfast and James paid his friendship money - a nice little goodbye present! I was also fairly excited about the next six months, all the challenges and adventures that I'm sure lay ahead.