We all wish we could take a break between high school and college, but as Americans, we live in a society focused on school. So, unlike many in Europe, we have, what, three months(?) between graduation and jumping into our studies (yet again). I wish my parents had let me, but they wanted me to go to school. So I did. In fact, I went to three in three years.

To understand why I'm not ashamed, let's rewind three years to when I went to my first of three colleges. It was late summer of 2013 and I had just moved into my dorm at Landmark College, a small liberal arts college for those with learning disabilities, located in southern Vermont. Well, as soon as my parents left, I knew I had made the biggest mistake of my life (but that’s a story for another day). I spent all of two semesters there -- it didn't help me the way they advertised. So in fall of 2014, I begrudgingly transferred to Essex County College: great bang for the buck, but again, not the right fit for me. So yet again, I choose to transfer after my second semester. This time, I went to Montclair State and I finally felt right, but I bit off more than I could chew, so I was put on probation after my first semester. I had also started working to help pay for college (bad idea) at the start of this past spring semester. I again bit off more than I could manage between work and school -- it was a mess. Remember college isn't for everyone or it's just not the right time for others.

So I failed out. I was planning on going to yet another college but decided why not move instead? I mean, I'm already a UK citizen so why not just move there? It took some convincing but I eventually got my parents on board with the idea. Yes, my parents are actually okay with me quitting my job and moving to Europe, with little more than a vague idea of what I'm doing. I had to start planning almost immediately, though (even with it being nearly a year away). I had to get a passport -- the last time my British one was valid was when I was 5, a whopping 16 years ago! And let me tell you it's a huge pain doing that living across the ocean. But I got that sorted and I booked my one-way ticket on impulse, so you know it's kinda actually happening now.

I chose the UK because it’s been a dream of mine to live in my father’s home country of Wales for as long as I can remember. So discovering my heritage in more than the 12 days I spent there in January ‘16 would be amazing -- see more of the country than the capital of Cardiff, to see any of the nearly 600+ castles that are littered around the country and learn the language, a lifelong goal of mine. Like I mentioned before, I'm a UK citizen, which means I can legally work and live in the UK indefinitely. I can just land in London and walk through customs and be on my merry way. So picking a place to live was a no brainer. I've got family over there too, in case something did happen to me. I'd literally have all of Europe (and some of Africa) at my disposal. One-way flights start at $23 US and round trip can be as cheap as $50 US! Like I can fly from one country to another for a little more than I pay to travel round-trip to NYC? YES PLEASE! And train travel is just as cheap, especially if you’re under 26. I can see the world, which I believe makes you a better person when you can actually connect with others not like yourself. It's an amazing learning opportunity.

I have one word of advice if anyone is wanting to do similar things. Just f*cking do it. College is always going to be there -- the chance to travel and live in another country? Well, that might just be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. So take it while you can. And now I begin the countdown to March.