In the Student Lounge

Anna Oakes

    
     As I write this, I’m sitting in our student lounge at school. It’s only 7:30, so there are just a few other people here.  I’m trying to take as much advantage of the brief calm as I can—checking over my homework, emailing my friends and drinking coffee, which has recently become my substitute for breakfast. On the way to school today, I noticed how the weather has become noticeably cooler. I’m hoping that the sweaters that I frantically requested from my parents arrive soon…

     Most people don’t have to worry about the winter, though, as almost two-thirds of our school will be flying back home in a few weeks. I should be, too. However, I decided in October to stay in Vietnam for the rest of the year—meaning that, luckily, I can put off the last-minute souvenir shopping for another six months. Whenever I think about it, I feel renewed relief that I don’t have to go home so soon. I know I’ll really be able to immerse myself in the culture and daily life of Vietnam all the more if I’m not constantly worrying about fitting in as much as I can in the very limited time-frame of four months. I’ll also grow much closer to my host family. I don’t know if I can realistically picture myself as an actual member of the family, but I didn’t really come here expecting to be.
     Almost everyone is here now—the room has gotten a lot louder, and it’s harder to concentrate. Vietnamese class is next period, so I should probably check over my homework. It’s going to be strange once the semester-students have gone. Having made the decision to stay the year, I feel as though my time here can’t possibly come to an end. Though of course it will, just as my homework-and-coffee mornings will inevitably grow quieter.