I leave for a semester of study abroad in London in just a few short days. I’m excited to be in a new place, meet new people, and experience life and learning in a different way. I love riding airplanes, old architecture, and a good cup of tea, so it’s safe to assume that I’m absolutely pumped to go on this adventure. But there’s also those feelings of anxiety, worry, and freaking out that somehow always end up creeping in even when it’s something I’m so ecstatic for…and I know I’m not alone.
Approximately 304,467 American students studied abroad in 2014 and something tells me this number has only grown since. Study abroad opens a door to opportunities of learning about the world and about yourself that you just wouldn’t get the same way at a college in your home country.
I know someday I’ll look back on how I felt that week before I left and laugh at how anxious I was about something that would turn out to be a great experience. But for now, I’m freaking out a little bit and that’s okay.
1) I’ve never flown by myself before. What if I get lost? What if the plane spirals down into the ocean and I’m stuck there in my seat all alone?
2) I’m sure it will be absolutely fine. I mean, thousands of flights go out in a day, so what are the odds?
3 ) All I have to worry about is packing and getting there. That’s it. Let the pilots do their job.
4) How am I supposed to fit my life in a suitcase to last me an entire semester?
5) How many different ways can I wear this dress? If I bring this cardigan and this shirt and those black shoes, I can alternate between at least five different outfits.
6) I’m a pro at this packing thing; they should pay me for this.
7) Oh my God, I’m running out of room. I want to bring way more pairs of shoes than this.
8) Wow, I really hope I remember my passport. How bad would that be?
9) I really hope I can make friends, too. Being in a new city will be great, but I think I might get a little lonely and very bored if I’m exploring by myself…
10) I’ll impress them with my extensive knowledge on "Gilmore Girls" and brag about that time I woke up at 4 am to watch the Royal Wedding. They’ll want to be my friend then.
11) I can’t wait to travel to different places! It’s going to be such an amazing experience. I’m going to go absolutely everywhere and try all these different foods and see as much as I can.
12) Oh..my bank account isn’t as high as I’d hoped. Why did I buy so many lattes and take so many Chipotle runs? Stupid.
13) I hope classes aren’t very difficult. What if they are? What if they all think I’m just a dumb American? What if I fail everything?
14) How hard can it be? It’ll be a different education system, but it’s still school. You’re good at school. School you can do. You’ll do fine.
15) What meal will I get on the plane? Will they have "Prison Break" on those back-of-the-seat airplane movie screen thingys? I hope they have "Prison Break."
As exhibited, it can turn your brain into a tumultuous, frantic mess, but I know all the thoughts and worries will be completely worth it once I’m chowing down on some fish 'n chips and walking down Oxford Street. To anyone else studying abroad, best of luck and don’t take a minute of it for granted.
