When I first arrived in California for my two-year graduate program, I was filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, I was excited about this new chapter in my life. I had worked so hard to get here, and now I was finally in the United States, ready to pursue my dream. On the other hand, I was scared. Everything felt so unfamiliar, from the language to the culture, and I was far away from my family and friends in Taiwan. I was alone in a new country, and I wasn't sure how I would adjust.
My first few weeks at the university were overwhelming. I had a small apartment near campus, and I spent most of my time there when I wasn't in class. I wasn't used to living alone, and the quietness of my apartment often made me feel lonely. I would fill my time with studying, reading, or watching videos online—anything to distract myself from the emptiness I felt. The campus was beautiful, with its tall palm trees and sunny skies, but I didn't take the time to explore it. I was too focused on my studies and too scared to step out of my comfort zone.
I spent a lot of time at the library. It became my safe haven, a place where I could lose myself in my books and not think about how far away I was from home. I loved the quietness of the library, the way the sunlight streamed through the windows in the afternoon, and the comforting smell of old books. I would sit in a corner, surrounded by my notes and textbooks, and work on my assignments for hours. It was easier to stay busy with my studies than to think about everything that scared me about being in a new country.
I had apps like Google Maps and Yelp on my phone, which were supposed to help me get to know my new surroundings. But I rarely used them. I didn't feel the need to explore the city, and I wasn't interested in trying new places to eat or visiting local attractions. I was too afraid of getting lost or feeling out of place. I told myself that I was too busy with my studies to have time for these things, but deep down, I knew it was just an excuse. I was scared of the unfamiliar, and I was avoiding anything that might make me feel uncomfortable.
My classmates were friendly, but I didn't make any close friends in those first few months. I was too shy to strike up conversations, and I often felt awkward in social situations. I would see groups of students chatting and laughing together, and I wished I could be a part of that, but I didn't know how to join in. I would smile and nod when someone spoke to me, but I rarely initiated conversations myself. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing or not understanding what they were talking about. I felt like an outsider, and I wasn't sure how to change that.
It wasn't until my third month in California that things began to change. I had a classmate named Emily, who was from San Jose. Emily was everything I wasn't—she was outgoing, adventurous, and always full of energy. She loved the outdoors and would often talk about her weekend hikes or trips to the beach. I admired her confidence and her love for life, but I never imagined that we would become friends. One day, we were paired together for a group project, and that was when we started talking. We discovered that we both loved nature, although my experience with it was mostly limited to reading about it or watching documentaries. Emily, on the other hand, lived it. She spent her weekends exploring trails, camping, and taking in all the beauty that California had to offer.
After our project was finished, Emily invited me to join her on a hike. At first, I hesitated. The thought of spending a whole day outdoors, away from the safety of my apartment or the library, made me anxious. But there was something about Emily's enthusiasm that made me want to give it a try. She assured me that it would be fun, and she promised to take me on an easy trail. So, I agreed. I remember feeling nervous that morning as I laced up my sneakers, but I also felt a small spark of excitement. Maybe this was what I needed—a chance to step out of my comfort zone and experience something new.
That first hike was an eye-opening experience. Emily took me to a nearby trail, and as we walked, she pointed out different plants and animals, sharing her knowledge with me. I was amazed by how much she knew and how passionate she was about nature. The trail was beautiful, with tall trees providing shade and a gentle breeze keeping us cool. I found myself relaxing as we walked, taking in the sights and sounds around me. For the first time since arriving in California, I felt a sense of peace. I wasn't thinking about my studies or my worries about being in a new country. I was just enjoying the moment, and it felt liberating.
After that day, Emily and I started spending more time together. She would invite me to join her on her weekend adventures, and slowly, I began to say yes more often. We went on hikes, visited the beach, and even took a road trip along Highway 1, stopping at different scenic spots along the way. One day, while we were driving to a trailhead, Emily handed me a pair of binoculars. I looked at them, puzzled. I had never used binoculars before, and I didn't understand why she would need them. I thought they were an outdated tool, something that had been replaced by the powerful zoom features on smartphones.
But Emily encouraged me to give them a try, so I did. I remember holding the binoculars up to my eyes and adjusting the focus until everything came into view. I was amazed at how clearly I could see the distant landscape. The details that had been invisible to me before suddenly came into focus—the texture of the tree bark, the movement of birds in the branches, even the way the waves crashed against the rocks in the distance. It was a completely different experience from using my phone's camera. I realized that the binoculars allowed me to truly connect with what I was seeing, without the distraction of a screen.
From that day on, I started bringing the binoculars with me on our outings. I found myself looking forward to using them, to seeing the world in a new way. I loved the feeling of focusing in on something far away and discovering details that I would have otherwise missed. It made me feel more present, more connected to the world around me. I began to understand why Emily loved the outdoors so much. There was a sense of wonder in exploring nature, in discovering its beauty up close. It was something that I had never experienced before, and it made me appreciate my time in California in a whole new way.
Emily's influence helped me break out of my shell. I started to feel more comfortable in my own skin, more willing to try new things. I even began to explore the city on my own, using Google Maps to navigate and Yelp to find interesting places to visit. I discovered a small café near campus that became my favorite spot to study. I visited local parks and spent time walking around, enjoying the fresh air and the sense of freedom that came with being outside. I was no longer content to stay within the confines of my apartment or the library. I wanted to see more, to experience more.
Over time, I also started to feel more confident in social situations. Emily introduced me to her friends, and I slowly began to feel like I was part of a community. I still had moments of insecurity, times when I felt unsure of myself or out of place, but they became less frequent. I learned to embrace the discomfort, to see it as a sign that I was growing. I realized that it was okay to be scared, as long as I didn't let that fear hold me back. I started to see myself not just as a student, but as someone who was capable of exploring, of taking risks, of living life to the fullest.
As Emily and I continued our adventures, I found myself trying new activities that I never would have considered before. We went kayaking on a lake, which at first terrified me. I had never been on a kayak before, and the thought of being out on the water made me nervous. But Emily was patient, and she helped me get comfortable with the paddle and the balance of the kayak. Once I got the hang of it, I started to enjoy it. There was something incredibly peaceful about being out on the water, surrounded by nature. The gentle rocking of the kayak, the sound of the water lapping against the side, and the sight of birds flying overhead all combined to create a sense of calm that I hadn't felt in a long time.
We also went camping in the mountains. The idea of spending a night outdoors, away from the comforts of my apartment, was daunting. I had never been camping before, and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. But Emily was excited about the trip, and her enthusiasm was contagious. We set up our tent, built a campfire, and spent the evening roasting marshmallows and looking up at the stars. It was a clear night, and the sky was filled with countless stars, more than I had ever seen before. I felt a sense of awe as I looked up, realizing how small I was in the grand scheme of things. It was a humbling experience, and it made me appreciate the beauty of the world around me.
One of the most memorable experiences we had was a road trip to Yosemite National Park. Emily had been talking about visiting Yosemite for weeks, and she finally convinced me to join her. The drive was long, but the scenery along the way was breathtaking. As we entered the park, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the landscape. The towering granite cliffs, the lush green meadows, and the sparkling waterfalls all took my breath away. We spent two days exploring the park, hiking to different viewpoints, and taking in the incredible sights. I remember standing at the base of Yosemite Falls, feeling the mist from the waterfall on my face, and thinking about how lucky I was to be there. It was moments like these that made me realize how much I had been missing out on by staying in my comfort zone.
My newfound love for the outdoors also led me to explore other activities on my own. I started going for walks around the neighborhood, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. I found a local botanical garden and spent an afternoon wandering through the different sections, admiring the colorful flowers and the variety of plants. I even started running in the mornings, something I had never enjoyed before. There was something about being outside, feeling the cool morning air and watching the city wake up, that made running feel less like a chore and more like a way to connect with my surroundings.
My relationship with Emily also grew stronger as we continued to spend time together. She became more than just a classmate; she became a close friend, someone I could rely on and trust. We shared stories about our lives, our dreams, and our fears. I learned about her childhood in San Jose, her love for adventure, and her desire to travel the world. She, in turn, learned about my life in Taiwan, my family, and my hopes for the future. Our friendship was built on these shared experiences, on the adventures we had together, and on the ways we pushed each other to grow.
Through Emily, I also met other people who shared her love for the outdoors. She introduced me to her friends, and we would often go on group hikes or have picnics at the park. At first, I was nervous about meeting new people, but Emily's friends were welcoming and kind. They made me feel included, and I slowly began to feel like I was part of a community. It was a new feeling for me, and it made my time in California feel less lonely. I started to see the value in building connections with others, in sharing experiences and creating memories together.
As the months went by, I continued to grow more comfortable with my new life. I found myself exploring more, trying new things, and pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone. I even started volunteering at a local community garden, something that Emily had suggested. It was a small garden near campus, and I would go there once a week to help with planting, weeding, and maintaining the garden. I loved the feeling of working with my hands, of being surrounded by nature, and of contributing to something meaningful. It was a way for me to give back to the community, and it made me feel more connected to my new home.
One day, Emily and I decided to take a weekend trip to Big Sur. I had heard about Big Sur before, but I had never imagined that I would get the chance to visit it. The drive along Highway 1 was incredible, with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. We stopped at different viewpoints along the way, each one more beautiful than the last. When we finally reached Big Sur, I was in awe of the rugged coastline, the towering cliffs, and the crashing waves below. We spent the day hiking along the trails, taking in the stunning views, and enjoying the fresh ocean air. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever been, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be there.
As my time in California continued, I began to realize just how much I had changed. I had come here as a shy, introverted student, afraid of the unfamiliar and hesitant to step out of my comfort zone. But now, I was someone who sought out new experiences, who embraced the unknown, and who found joy in the simple moments of life. I had learned to appreciate the beauty of nature, to find peace in the outdoors, and to connect with the world around me in a way that I never had before.
I also began to see myself differently. I was no longer just a student; I was someone who was capable of taking risks, of exploring, of living life to the fullest. I had faced my fears, stepped out of my comfort zone, and discovered a new side of myself. I had found a sense of freedom in the outdoors, a sense of wonder in the world around me, and a sense of connection with the people I had met. These were the things that had made my time in California so meaningful, and they were the things that I would carry with me for the rest of my life.
As my two years in California came to an end, I felt a mix of emotions. I was sad to be leaving this place that had become my home, but I was also excited for what the future held. I knew that I would carry the lessons I had learned, the memories I had made, and the sense of adventure that I had discovered with me wherever I went. I was grateful for the opportunity to study here, to experience a new culture, and to grow as a person. I was grateful for Emily, for her friendship and her encouragement, for showing me that there was so much more to life than I had imagined.
I know that when I return to Taiwan, I will carry these experiences with me. I will carry the lessons I have learned, the memories I have made, and the sense of adventure that I have discovered. I will continue to explore, to step out of my comfort zone, to embrace the unfamiliar. Because if there is one thing I have learned during my time in California, it is that life is meant to be lived fully, with curiosity, with courage, and with a sense of wonder.
My journey in California was not just about earning a degree; it was about discovering who I am and who I want to be. It was about learning to face my fears, to embrace new experiences, and to find joy in the world around me. It was about building connections, creating memories, and finding a sense of belonging in a place that was once so unfamiliar. I am proud of the person I have become, and I am excited for whatever comes next. I know that I am capable of facing whatever challenges lie ahead, and I am ready to continue this journey, wherever it may take me.
California will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the place where I grew, where I discovered a new side of myself, and where I found a sense of freedom that I had never known before. I will always be grateful for the experiences I had here, for the friends I made, and for the lessons I learned. And as I move forward, I will carry the spirit of adventure, the sense of wonder, and the love for the outdoors that I discovered here with me, wherever I go.