A nursing student from China, Jingyan Liu shares her “Your America in 250 Words” essay.
During spring break this year, I went on a road trip with a friend. The one stop that impressed me the most was Antelope Canyon in Arizona. On that morning, we met our guide and a group of visitors from all over the globe. It was cool to think that we all came from different places, but we were all there for the same thing. To see, to feel and to learn.
That's kind of how I feel about being in the United States too. I came here to see, feel and learn. But studying alone in a different country is hard. I get lonely pretty often. And as a second-language speaker, I struggle to say what I actually mean. It makes me feel like I'm not fully myself.
When we got to the end, the guide made us look up. It was a bunch of strange, but beautiful, rocks to me. Then I learned that it is actually a famous landmark. The blank spaces have carved the shape of a seahorse. Like a spark, I suddenly realized that things are not all how you think, and you don't have to feel bad for not fully expressing yourself.
After that trip I felt a little more like I belonged in the U.S. Being a piece of this puzzle means I'm part of something bigger, even if I don't always fit perfectly. That's what living in the U.S. has taught me, seeing, feeling and learning through all the pieces.
The Office of International Affairs invites Ohio State’s international students to participate in the “Your America in 250 Words” essay and photo contest, a unique opportunity to share personal perspectives and experiences while studying and traveling in the United States.