After spending many months in anticipation, my summer adventure in Greece will finally commence in barely a week -- which is equally exciting and terrifying. The next two months of my life will be ones I know I will truly never forget with new friends and experiences. Visiting the Parthenon, swimming in the Aegean, exploring islands, and even just sitting in cafés drinking frappés on a hot summer day are only but a few of the many aspects of my study abroad that I’m looking forward to. Before I can even think about immersing myself in all things Greek, I’ll have to do the most dreaded aspect of this whole experience: preparing for it. Who better to explain the medley of emotions of packing and getting ready for studying abroad than the cast of "Parks and Recreation"?
You just booked your flights and you’re already on cloud nine.
So you start imagining of all the things you’ll do and the places you’ll visit.
But then you realize the trip is not for another few months.
Then you try to focus all of your attention on classes and exams to finish the semester strong.
Your so-called “study breaks” lead you to spend the rest of your day Googling tips for traveling abroad.
You look at picturesque photos that look significantly better than your textbooks.
You’re in the middle of finals week and you don’t know if you’ll make it out alive to study abroad.
It just seems way too far away.
Finals are over and you’re somehow still alive (barely), so you go and celebrate.
It hits you that you leave in less than a month.
The only thing ready is your plane ticket and passport (after you last minute had to renew it).
You go into panic mode and frantically make to do, packing and shopping lists and you don’t know where to start.
Things finally seem to start coming together with one week left.
But then you realize you forgot to order your contact lenses in advance to get them before you leave.
You also realize you’re actually going to be gone for the whole summer.
You won’t be seeing any of your friends, so you spend as much time as you can with them.
In two days you leave and the only packing you’ve done is creating piles of all of the stuff you “need” to bring with you.
Plus, there’s not enough luggage in the world to pack it all in.
You can’t bring yourself to not bring that one shirt or pair of shoes you could wear that one time.
It’s the night before you leave and you’re completely over packed.
Your suitcase probably weighs more than the 50 pound limit.
Hours later you’re all done packing.
After taking out some clothes and having to sit on your suitcase for it to shut -- and you’re feeling pretty accomplished.
You look at the time and realize it’s 3 a.m. and you’re debating pulling an all-nighter because you leave for the airport in a few hours.
You show up to the airport in the morning in your comfiest leggings and sweatshirt half-asleep.
You're not in the mood to deal with long lines, dragging your heavy suitcase and carry-on around, and going through customs.
You get your large coffee, the excitement hits you, and you’re completely ready for the amazing adventure ahead of you!
