Last Wednesday, I took my Foreign Service Bengali language exam. Seven months of going to class every day, studying vocab, and learning how to think about high-level ideas in another language led up to this point. I was extremely nervous, even though my instructors praised my speaking skills. The test is an intense 2 hour long ordeal – moving from basic conversation to preparing a speech to reading both short and long texts in Bengali script.

I was really tired afterwards so I went home and took a nap. I woke up to see that my results had arrived in my email inbox. I’d passed!

My last week or so is being spent with last meals with friends and sorting through all my things to prepare for pack-out. The movers are coming on Monday. I woke up a little ill today so I’ve stayed home to prepare. However, yesterday was a wonderful-fun-filled-day with my Bengali language class to the cherry blossoms.

My going away party is next Saturday, and I leave for Bangladesh on Sunday! I’m not sure when I’ll get the chance to update this again, but I hope soon. Wish me luck!