It was while I was in Vietnam that I came across Vivien Greene's famous quote, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain,” and I thought, yes, that's what I'm learning here.

I'd gone there right after I finished my studies, to do something completely different with my life for a while. I was offered a position teaching English for three months at a kindergarten in a small town where no one else at all spoke the language. This meant that even a simple thing like shopping for groceries was a challenge in communication!

The difficulties I faced, however, were small in comparison to what everyday life demanded from the people there. They got up early every day, worked seven days a week, earned very little money, and yet they were happy. They shared everything they had with one another and with me, inviting me to simple meals in their homes. Seeing how they coped made me realize that it's not about the problems you face, it's about how you face them. My time in Vietnam taught me a lot. I found friendship and adventure, and I learned to dance in the rain. How much more can you want out of a journey?