This year, I made a big decision regarding my summer plans. I am spending the entire summer in Europe. As a kid, I never spent more than a few days away from home without my parents. I never had that experience of going away to summer camp. I had been on trips without my parents, but most of them were through school and heavily supervised. In the fall, when I decided to dedicate three months of my life to another continent, I knew that I was taking a large, adult-like leap into an experience of a lifetime. Little did I know that this leap would strap me into an emotional roller coaster that I never expected.
Stage 1: Excitement
I just got accepted into the program of my dreams. It's time to tell all of my friends, family, and social media followers. My Pinterest boards are quickly filling up with "to-do's," packing tips, and guides to the perfect site-seeing outfit. I am going to meet so many new friends on this trip! This summer is going to be amazing!
Stage 2: Overwhelmed
All of the details (or lack of) are making me feel so anxious. There is so much paperwork to fill out. How will I get everything in on time? There are so many payments, packets, and due dates that I can’t keep everything straight. Do I have enough time for my passport to come in?
Stage 3: Nerves
How do I survive without my parents all summer? Will my dog forget about me? Do I get cellphone coverage? How will I understand what anyone is saying? What if no one on my trip likes me? What if I miss my plane? This will be a disaster!
Stage 4: FOMO
What if my friends forget about me? Will I come back and no one will care? I am going to miss out on all of the fun summer concerts, lake-house trips, and 4th of July parties! They don’t even celebrate the 4th of July in Europe!
Stage 5: Reassurance
Now I have reached out to some people who have been abroad before. They said that it was amazing. Maybe this summer will be worth missing out on all those things in the states. I’ll get a nice tan and some cool touristy pictures, right? It really seems like everyone else has had a good time. I think that all of this paperwork and stress will be worth it.
Stage 6: Planning
I need to go here, here, and here this summer. I want to see this monument and eat at this gelato shop that so-and-so said was absolutely to die for. I have to get my Eurorail pass. I wonder what Pinterest says that I should buy to wear in Italy during summertime.
Stage 7: Waiting
Everything seems to be falling into place. I have a good idea of what to pack and what I want to see. I know when I am leaving and who I am going with. Now, all that I have to do is be patient. This will be the summer of a lifetime.
