I woke up refreshed, went downstairs, and was delighted to see that my bag had returned! Opening it was like opening a treasure chest full of things I know I already want. 

Today was the first day of class, and, to be fair, the first day of the actual program. We also had our orientation, which included many things we had already figured out, but which was good to hear nonetheless.

Our classroom is in the hostel and is directly outside some people’s rooms. Our professor was dissapointed with this, and wants to move us to a real class, but I don’t mind the area much.

Class itself renewed a sense of order amidst the chaos, it was something I was familiar with, and it was the first time our entire group was together in one place, which was nice.

Overall, today has made me realize that this trip was not a mistake. It’s out of my control when unfortunate things happen to me, but how I approach being here, how I engage with people, and what I do with my time here is in my control. I am not happy that my trip started the way it did, but I am not sad either, because starting with humble expectations makes things seem all the more fantastic.