The day had arrived when 12 years of school had reached the end of its journey. Results and finals were over, it was now or never, what do I do, where do I go? Do I go to Cape Town, Durban, or Pretoria?

Choices, stress, my future is in the balance. What do I do? MBBS or Engineering? China or South Africa my home town? I was fresh out of school, at the age of 17, but the choice had to be made no matter what the outcome was, so yes, “China” it is!

•Luggage, check

•Phone, check

•Passport and money, check

•Ghd (a brand of hair straighteners), check

Goodbyes are never easy, tears ran down my face as I bid farewell to my loved ones at the JHB International Airport, as I proceeded to security check, that’s when I had realized that this was the beginning of a new life.

Inside an aircraft cabin are a bunch of passengers including my future class mates and I. Approximately 2 days of travelling, transits, sunsets and sun rises, suppers and breakfasts, the day had arrived.

Fear and excitement at the same time, I remember collecting my luggage, pushing that trolley toward the doors of the airport, which at that moment felt like I closed a door behind me, and in front of me was this pathway to a new adventure.

The cold breeze of Jinan brushed against my body, the hair on my hands stood, my nose went red, my fingers went numb, and I couldn’t even feel my toes. A long drive amidst the wonderful lights of Jinan, taxis hooting from one end to the other, left hand driving, everything was already so different to South Africa.

We had finally reached our destination, 44 wenhua xilu, Shandong “yi ke “, this was it! I was now officially a medical student of School of Medicine at Shandong University, this was probably the best thing that could have happened to me, I matured very quickly, responsibility was a given.

“Ni hao (Hello) , ni hao ma (How are you?), ting bu dong (I do not understand.), shi fu (Sir), bu shi (No), duo shao chen (How much?).” Lol, yes I guess that’s all I knew in the beginning, and well getting seniors to translate was the best way of getting around.

I'm proud to say that I now have an average knowledge of Mandarin, at least enough to get around. I have to thank Zhāng lǎoshī for that.

3 years later, I’m still here, classes, exams, practice, attendance, early mornings and late nights. China has changed my life, my perspective on the world, and my knowledge on history.

Just a little while more, then it is time to set the GPS for South Africa, because I will return home with the title, Dr. Lisha Singh.

Remember, work hard now, and reap the benefits in the end.

Written by Dr. Lisha Singh from South Africa, School of Medicine of Shandong University

Source: School of Medicine