This summer, I’m waving goodbye to the good ole USA and heading to Europe for a month-long Study Abroad program. For a small town girl who’s rarely been outside of her state before (and definitely never out of her country) traveling to a different continent is a pretty huge deal. In the months that I’ve spent preparing for this trip, I’ve encountered a whole range of emotions.

1. Euphoria

When I first found out that my lifelong dream was finally coming true and I was actually going to spend my summer in Europe, it didn’t even seem real. Everything was golden and glowing. I was floating on a cloud.

2. Excitement

After my head finally drifted out of the clouds and back to earth, I entered a state of extreme excitement. Europe! Travel! Wanderlust! I was HYPE.

3. Overwhelmedness

Everything seemed to hit me at once. There are so many steps to traveling overseas, and I was familiar with none of them. From ordering plane tickets to applying for my Study Abroad program to registering with the embassy to ordering euros, I was swamped. Traveling is definitely more of an ordeal than I ever expected it to be.

4. Tiredness

By the time I completed my checklist of 1,256 things to do to get ready for my trip, I was completely exhausted. All those preparations had really drained me, and I needed some time to rest and recuperate so I would have plenty of energy for the actual trip.

5. Nervousness

With only a few days left to go before my departure, I started to get really nervous. I frantically ran over my now-finished To Do List, trying to think of anything I might have forgotten. I packed and re-packed. I remembered all of the strange advice and terrifying warnings I’d been given in the months leading up to this trip. Visions of plane crashes and kidnappers danced in my head.

6. Sadness

This may seem like an odd emotion for someone who has spent her whole life dreaming of visiting Europe, but as the day of my departure drew nearer, it made me sad to think of all the things I would be missing here in the US while I spent my month abroad. Three family milestones and two national holidays are happening without me this year. It’s the first time in my life that I won’t be able to celebrate these things with my family. I also got sad just thinking about the people who I love so dearly that will be left behind for a month. Why can’t I just pack them all up and take them with me?

7. Thankfulness

Finally, all of the other emotions that were clamoring for my attention (both good and bad) faded into silence and left me with an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. From start to finish, everything has fallen into place so neatly as I prepare for my trip. I’m grateful for all of the prayers, the guidance, the advice, the encouragement, and all of the support in every form that people have given to me through every step of this process. I know this experience is going to be incredible, and I’m so thankful that I’m blessed enough to enjoy it. Here’s to Europe.