I have always liked the idea of studying abroad in college. Every person I've talked to about their experience abroad has said it was the best semester of their life, so why would I think it would be any different for me? Traveling all over Europe, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and lifestyles seems like the experience of a lifetime to anyone, right? However, as the departure date gets closer and closer, I am realizing that I may not be ready to take this leap.

There is a big difference between wanting to go abroad and actually going abroad; that I am becoming very familiar with now. It sounds like a dream come true, and I am very confident that it will be an amazing experience, but now that it is so real and rapidly approaching I am questioning how I got myself into this situation.

A new country is both amazing and dangerous, as there is only so much I can do to prepare myself. Reading articles and newspapers, learning the language, and studying up on proper customs will help, however my blonde hair and green eyes will not help to conceal me as a local. Being in Italy will be very different from my life here in the United States. The inability to know exactly what to expect is what scares me the most. I won't know until I'm there, standing in the middle of the Piazza speechless, that I'll get an idea of what the next four months of my life will be like. As I sit at home worrying about this new uncertainty and ambiguity, I also consider that all the other students I am traveling with are in the same position. We are all entering this new experience together. It will take patience to adjust to a new way of life, but the overall experience will be well worth it.

For anyone else studying abroad and feeling as though they aren't ready for this experience, take a deep breath and embrace the changes and opportunities that are to come.