So you did it. You finally succeeded in convincing your parents, and mostly your self that you wanted to move out of the country for a select amount of time and make your bank account go in to the negative decimals. That takes courage.
Now comes the fun and not-so-fun realities of what’s really to come.
Here are the things to remember that aren't in your universities 'travel abroad pamphlet':
1. If you don't mentally prepare yourself, you will have let downs.
Face it. You're going to miss something. Whether it's your boyfriend, bed, or Chipotle craving after night-outs festivities. Trust me, you'll find something to miss.
The feeling is inevitable, prepare your self and start gaining faith that the universe put you in this new place for a reason.
2. You're friends will (low-key) hate you.
You'll ask your self 'How can they hate me, they should be happy for me for having the time of my life?’
Why you ask? You're Snap Chatting on a beach in Australia having massive amounts of Corona the same time your 'BFF' is waking up deciding if they need a parka or knee high snow boots to walk to class.
Lets be honest they won't hate you, they're truly happy for you and your incredible life you live. Just remember there is a difference between sharing stories about your incredible adventures with others and then there is bragging about it.
2. Regret is a real feeling, but the only regret you'll feel is looking at the bill $ of souvenirs you bought.
Yes. Getting gifts for others is genuine and sweet-hearted.
BUT that totally amazing piece of jewelry you just bought? You could've used that same money to jump higher from that skydiving plane.
Nothing says regret more than watching all your friends have the time of their life bungy jumping in New Zealand while you sit at home watching Modern Family marathons.
3. Traveling abroad is not a blessing, it's a curse.
"Try it they say. It'll be fun they say."
It's fun until you realize now on the plane ride back your heart just broke in to 5 million pieces.
Half broken because your new favorite drunk night snack is no longer around the corner, and the other half broken because you're never going to be the same person you were again.
The person you were before you left home changed the moment you introduced yourself to a stranger.
4. You changed the moment that famous monument you've only seen in your high school history books, became exponentially less meaningful to you than you're adventures with your hostel roommates.
You're not the same person you were before you left, not because you made yourself in to someone 'new and improved' but because you decided it was okay to not feel secure. You became insecure financially, physically, and emotionally.
Instead of relying on your best friend or dad for a little lift with the grocery bill, you found ways and life-hacks to make meals.
5. The gym wasn't your only stress reliever; it was the early morning hikes with your housemates on a different mountain every weekend that included too many laughs, and irreplaceable life talks.
And constantly counting on your significant other to pick you up in a low mood became insignificant when you realized you liked the feeling of independently figuring out your own emotions.
6. Be proud of any and all choices you have made or make. Not a lot of people are as blessed to even have the opportunity to make them.
Whether you're about to jet-off to your next destination, or preparing your belongings to come home, you have already found more of what you want in life.
Oh. But as for your bank account. That’s actually cursed. The negative decimals don't get any more enjoyable to look at no matter what beautiful country you're in.
