Feeling left out because all your friends are studying abroad? Are you wondering if you are missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity? Well, that’s how I’ve been feeling. If you are one of the few that won’t be setting sail for a European adventure with the rest of the Class of 2018, then hang with me because I won’t be either. Of lately, the not going abroad blues are hitting me and hitting me hard. It really started to become apparent when the deadlines for applications started closing and my reality started to be more of a reality. The reality is I won’t be joining my friends in Europe come Fall of 2016 but that doesn't mean I won’t be enjoying the sunny city of San Luis Obispo while they are gone either.

The truth is I was going to get FOMO regardless if I went or didn't so might as well make the best of it, right? For anyone else feeling a little out of the loop because you won't be going overseas as well, we’ll just have to create our own adventures at home. We may not be going to Germany for Oktoberfest but if we’re lucky we may go to an Oktoberfest date party and we can pretend we’re in Germany, it will be great. And although wine might not be cheaper than water over here in the states that won’t stop us because somehow Wednesday’s always seem to have plenty. And we may not be able to chill in the Capri and soak up the Italian sun but Cal Poly’s rec center has a pretty sick whirlpool we can chill in. The way we look at our time at home is entirely up to us.

It’s all about perspective. While they’re enjoying their time exploring new cities and new sites we’ll just be becoming more familiar with our home and finding more reasons why it is named the happiest city in America. It did earn that title for a reason might as well enjoy the 4 or 5 or, hopefully, 6 years we get to call it home. San Luis Obispo is full of so many hidden gems and while it might not be as nearly exciting as exploring the Swiss alps it can still be a great time.

Just because this fall you don’t get to be blown off the Cliffs of Moher or hit the bar scene in Prague doesn't mean that these adventures may never come. You have the rest of your life to explore the world and all its hidden beauties there is no need to stress about it now. And if someone tells you that you are missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity be sure to let them know we are young and have so much time ahead of us to take trips and travel the world there is no need to worry about it now.

So while all my friends are eating their weight in gelato, I’ll just be here enjoying every second of it because I know my time will come where I too can eat my weight in gelato.