Touched down in Austin, TX

After almost 30 hours of flight including the transit times, I finally arrived in Austin, TX, a place where I should live for the following 18 months. It was the first time in my life I ever took a plane. I didn't like the experience but didn't hate it either. I was crying for the first hour after realising that I will be away from my beloved family members and boyfriend for 18 months. Here are the itinerary of my first trip to Austin:

Kuala Lumpur - Toyko - 7 hours
Toyko - Detroit - 11 hours
Detroit - Minneapolis - 3 hours
Minneapolis - Austin - 2 hours

There are many scary stories of Malaysian passing through the immigration. Mine was smoothed, the immigration officer just asked me several questions which I didn't really understand and just said yes. He let me go through anyway. Anyway, I went in US several times after, and the first one was the most unfriendly. I guess everybody who tries to go in the US the first time will be treated more seriously.

By the time we arrived in Minneapolis, the flight to Austin was almost departing. I rushed to the gate and arrived as planned in Austin, but my luggages didn't get through. Luckily I have some clothes in my hand luggage.

I was almost 11pm when I arrived in Austin, I was greeted by a group of Aiesecers with a big banner. Since I was the only Asian on that flight, they managed to spot me easily. They sent me some souvenirs and brought me to Day's Inn. I also met the French trainee and a Malaysian trainee.

My first impression of US: The highway is quite similar to the one in Malaysia. Signboard are in green colour. The scenery was not that much different from Malaysia. It was autume but Texas has more tropical weather.

My first cultural shock: The French trainee was living in the same Inn as me. We chatted a bit and he suggested to go to my room. The hell, I rejected immediately. My little Malaysian mind quitely think of dirty stuff, that he might want something from me. Looking back, I was too sensitif, he is a nice guy.

The following week, I was meeting a lot of people, including the other trainees and Aiesecers, little party here and there. The Brazilian trainee was very efficient, she arrived a week earlier, but she managed to find an apartment and a car already. Motorola was paying one week car rental and hotel, so we needed to find them fast.

The courteous Aiesecer was bringing me to see some apartment, but it was too expensive for my standard. I wanted to share an apartment with someone, but it was not possible. I stayed in an Aiesecer's apartment for several days, then stayed with the Brazilian for a while. I found my apartment two weeks after my arrival in Austin.

My impression for the American: Friendly and nice.