Pre Take Off

So I am about to take off on an epic 8 month adventure!
On January 1st I am leaving to study abroad at the National University of Singapore for spring semester and then hopefully do an internship in Malaysia next summer. I currently have a one-way ticket because the internship has not been confirmed so I don't know when I will be leaving to come back to the states.

My classes at NUS also have not been confirmed but I'm hoping to take some of the social work classes in order to fulfill requirements for my major, Family and Human Services. The issue is that I also want to take a class through the University Scholars Programme at NUS for Honors College credit but I only want to take three classes while I'm there so that I have time to explore the country and get involved with other activities besides academics. There will be an add-drop registration period when I get to Singapore so hopefully everything will get worked out! While I'm there, I'm hoping to continue rock climbing and maybe start singing again. I am also planning to travel as much as possible to surrounding countries (if all goes to plan, I will meet one of my Oregon professors in Cambodia in February to shadow her while she works at the university there - way cool) and at some point, meet up with one of my friends who is studying abroad in Japan.

The internship that I've applied for is at the Women's Aid Organization in Malaysia. WAO works with women and children who are dealing with domestic violence. At this point, that is really all the information I have. I'm not sure what my role would be for the three months that I'm planning on being there but I really hope it works out.

I realize that this post is full of "hopefullys" and unconfirmed plans but I think that that is one of the things that's going to be so exciting about my trip. And it will definitely challenge my comfort level. So I'm excited. And freaked out. But it's all coming together and I am going. Going going going.

So! I wanted to set up a blog to both keep track of my adventures and so that all of you can also keep track of me. I've never kept up a blog before, so this will be experimental and new but I'm very excited and really want to keep you involved in my life while I'm away. Apparently this is the new way to do it. My plan is to update this bi-monthly, but who knows!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and be in touch (I have Skype)!