10 Things I Learn While Studying Abroad

1) The importance of a community
I have always been involved in at least a community or club wherever I go. But there were times when I sunk too deep into my academic work that I abandoned the importance of a community. Blame it on the culture shock and trauma of being far away from home, but it was my mistake to lock myself with my joy and concerns I experienced a solitary life during some time in the year 2012, which eventually led to a great depression. Not until, I get involved in communities around me.

2) Efforts are necessary in all ways
In all ways, I mean in all ways. Back in my highschool, I did not have to suffer to reach good grades, food was always on the table, and I had heavy meals five times a day and was still a skeleton. Now, I have to die to reach at least a B-, I have to cook or at least look for food, and I'd be a pig if I do not commit on my diet schedule.

3) The discovery of my true hobbies
I knew long before that I love to write, sketch, play the piano, and sing, but I never truly appreciate these hobbies until I get a stack of assignments and projects. Now that my schedule is terribly packed, my desire and passion towards what I like to do grow even more.

Reading a Musical Mind

I've known music since I was in my mother's womb. But I never truly fall in love in it. But when I did, I only know two types of people: musicians and non-musicians. When I mean musicians, I do not mean people who earn cheques from music, but people who recognize beauty, who are willing to pursue and appreciate them.

Working as a musician is often considered as a struggling life. A huge challenge of putting food on the table. Society who are more considerate might say that they are suffering because of their art. Then why are musicians doing what they are doing? I never truly understand the reason either. Not until I witness the lives of my musician friends. Then I realize that just when you watch their face when they perform, and know how happy they are with the choice they made for a profession, attend their concerts or recital, and watch their face afterwards when parents come up and tell them how wonderful the concert was, and see how that makes them feel, then, you'll understand why they do what they do.