In just over eight weeks, I'll be boarding a flight from NYC to London Heathrow Airport to begin my study abroad adventure. While I'm thrilled to be spending my semester in the UK, I'm just as anxious as well.

Studying abroad is an experience I've wanted since I was in high school. It wasn't until I got accepted into my program that my nerves started to set in. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful and excited for this opportunity, however, there are a few things I, and I'm sure others, might be anxious about:

1. Flying alone

I've flown loads of times before, hell I've even flown to London before. The difference between then and now is that this time, I'll be alone. Any other time I've flown overseas, I've been with my family. I've never spent 7 hours on a flight by myself. Sure, I may be well versed in flying but the idea of doing it alone genuinely terrifies me.

2. Getting homesick

I recently wrote an article about being homesick at college. I'm somewhat of a homebody. I love adventure and traveling but I also love being home with my family (and my cats). While I'm at school, I know if I wanted to go home for a weekend, I could hop on a train and be home within a couple of hours. I know I'm going to get homesick while abroad, but this time, I can't just hop on a plane and come home to America for a weekend. I know I'll adjust, but it's going to be hard in the first couple of weeks.

3. Being in a new place

I hate change. Like I said before, I know I'm going to adjust to being in London but isn't everyone a little scared to be in a new place for the first time? I'm used to packing my bags and heading to New England (Connecticut to be exact) and going to school. But now I'm going to be packing bags and heading across the pond to London, England. I'm excited for the new adventures and experiences I'll have while in London, but it's going to be a change, that's for sure.

4. Not knowing anyone

As far as I know, I'm the only one from QU going to London through the program I'm going through. While I have friends from back home also going to London, we're not going to the same school. It's a comfort to know that they'll be there, though. I was nervous coming into college and not knowing anyone, so naturally, I'll be nervous now. However, this one isn't that bad because I'm sure I'll make friends quick (despite my awkwardness).

5. Not having enough money

I feel like everyone is a little nervous for this one. We all have this expectation in our heads that we're supposed to travel every weekend while we're abroad. But I feel like people also forget about exchange rates. The pound to dollar rate is, 1 pound equals 1.25 USD. This isn't bad considering, this time last year it was close to 1.45USD. Still, it's not in our favor, and that stresses me out. One thing I don't want is to feel like I can't go to certain places because I can't afford it. At the end of the day though, at least I'll be in London for the semester.

6. Safety

I'm definitely nervous when it comes to safety. We've all heard the stories of the scary things that go on overseas and while I'm anxious about it, I'm not going to let it hold me back. Bad things can happen abroad, but they can happen here, at home too. I just know I have to be aware and alert while still having an incredible time.

7. Language barriers

While I'll be in London, where they speak English, I'm nervous to travel to places where they don't speak English. If I go to Italy, even though I got an A in Italian for two semesters, I still can't speak Italian. I'm the kind of person where I want to experience culture to the best of my ability. I would hate to go somewhere and not speak their language. I can try, but it won't be perfect.

8. Not wanting to come home

Even after all the things I'm nervous for, I'm beyond thrilled to be able to spend my spring 2017 semester in London, which is my favorite city in the world (so far). I know I'm going to fall even more in love with it than I already am and quite frankly, I'm nervous I won't want to come home. No one wants to come home from studying abroad. If I could I would stay forever. Even though, I'll have to board my return flight to the states, I know it won't be "goodbye", it'll be "see you later" to London.