Marquette University To Cape Town, South Africa | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Marquette University To Cape Town, South Africa

I'm trying to accept that things are going to change, no matter how much I prepare for it.

142
Marquette University To Cape Town, South Africa
EveryPixel

For the second semester of my sophomore year, I am studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa... and I am terrified. Terrified, but also more excited than I have ever been. For 5 months I will be volunteering, studying, and living on a completely new continent almost 9000 miles away from home. Just saying that out loud sends chills down my back and makes my heart beat faster. I know this experience will change my life as I know it and just that simple fact is daunting.

There have been very few times in my life that I have felt this out of control. While I can go through my packing list 100 times, double-check my flight information until I have it memorized, take all safety measures possible, and learn everything I can about South Africa - things will happen that I am just not prepared for.

When thinking about going halfway across the world in less than two months, my feelings are all over the place. My mother is constantly in a state of having a panic attack, while my step-dad has spent hours researching and talking with travel agents, and my sister is already dusting off her passport.

I booked my flights over Thanksgiving break ($$$) which makes all of this even more real. Delta gives me a countdown to my flight (57 DAYS!!!) which is absolutely crazy to think about. To put that into perspective, in 1,368 hours I will be taking off for my biggest life adventure thus far and spending 45% of the year 2018 in foreign parts of the world.

Subnote on exactly what I am doing: Marquette has an - amazing - study abroad program where 20 students, some from Marquette and others from other Jesuit universities around the country, go live in a house in Cape Town, South Africa for a whole semester, spending half the time going to school at the University of the Western Cape and the other half volunteering at a local service site.

People always ask why I chose South Africa when Marquette offers numerous programs all around Europe and other "popular" destinations. This is when I take a second to review all the things in my life that have brought me to the place where I am: the events that have made me who I have become. To some, South Africa might look like a random choice or a 6-month long safari, but not to me. I have been envisioning volunteering in Africa since my freshman year of high school but have never had a clear opportunity until now. Marquette is giving me the opportunity to go across the world and help people in ways I would never be able to in America.

Even while thinking about all the amazing things I will be doing within the next couple of months, my mind is all over the place when thinking about the "what if's." For the next couple of weeks, my goal is to come to a place between having a complete freak-out and being sedated. All the while, trying to be at peace knowing that worrying about the things I can't control won't make them go away.

I'm planning on starting a travel blog in which I will post about my adventures and experiences in South Africa (when I make that official you will be able to find the link on my Odyssey profile, Facebook, and Twitter). After my trip has concluded, I'm hoping to have a detailed packing list to post with tips on what I really used and stuff I never touched, as well as an overview on how I managed my mental illness abroad. I hope you all will think about following my journey abroad!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

169528
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

54972
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

48964
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments