Play the following while you are reading this blog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMabBGydC0
I'm leaving tomorrow to study abroad for a semester at the University of Otago in Dunedin, NZ.
HOLY CRAP!
What an exciting time. While I've been over the schedule for what my next few days will look like (a four day orientation that I think might be like a mini O-week, after a 15 hour flight -- yikes), I honestly have no idea what to expect. I'm a little numb to the nervousness right now, maybe because I can't believe this is actually happening! I do have some recurring thoughts though...
Who will I meet?
What if I can't handle the cold (20 degrees there right now!)
What if I'm socially awkward and don't make any friends??!
WHAT IF I GET CONSTIPATED ON THE FLIGHT?!?!?!
However, despite these worries, I have a sense that everything will work out just fine. The past 6 weeks of this summer I was blessed to attend Geology Field Camp through Illinois State University. I learned so much, had so much fun, and met some people who really changed my life. I even left camp in a relationship. :)
After experiencing how amazing it is to be immersed in something (Field Camp was more rigorous than I could have ever guessed -- 8 to 10 hours of field work/hiking/looking at rocks a day), I know without a doubt that New Zealand will be a crazy experience. I hope that the adjustment period doesn't take to long, so I can get over the initial weirdness of being out of my comfort zone and start getting to know the people I'm around and the college I'm attending.
I honestly can't wait to be a student again. Today I spent about 6 hours in front of the television and I feel like a zombie. My being craves adventure.
It will also be interesting learning to live on a pretty strict budget while across the ocean. I didn't get the type of financial aid I was thinking I would this semester, and so being frugal will be really important. Which means I might end up carrying tupperwares full of fried rice and kidney beans where ever I go. Which is actually okay with me. I love beans and rice!
I will miss my friends at Rice so much. It's going to be hard keeping in contact with everyone back home enough, I know, but I figure the best way to handle this whole experience will be to go One Day at a Time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMabBGydC0
I'm leaving tomorrow to study abroad for a semester at the University of Otago in Dunedin, NZ.
HOLY CRAP!
What an exciting time. While I've been over the schedule for what my next few days will look like (a four day orientation that I think might be like a mini O-week, after a 15 hour flight -- yikes), I honestly have no idea what to expect. I'm a little numb to the nervousness right now, maybe because I can't believe this is actually happening! I do have some recurring thoughts though...
Who will I meet?
What if I can't handle the cold (20 degrees there right now!)
What if I'm socially awkward and don't make any friends??!
WHAT IF I GET CONSTIPATED ON THE FLIGHT?!?!?!
However, despite these worries, I have a sense that everything will work out just fine. The past 6 weeks of this summer I was blessed to attend Geology Field Camp through Illinois State University. I learned so much, had so much fun, and met some people who really changed my life. I even left camp in a relationship. :)
After experiencing how amazing it is to be immersed in something (Field Camp was more rigorous than I could have ever guessed -- 8 to 10 hours of field work/hiking/looking at rocks a day), I know without a doubt that New Zealand will be a crazy experience. I hope that the adjustment period doesn't take to long, so I can get over the initial weirdness of being out of my comfort zone and start getting to know the people I'm around and the college I'm attending.
I honestly can't wait to be a student again. Today I spent about 6 hours in front of the television and I feel like a zombie. My being craves adventure.
It will also be interesting learning to live on a pretty strict budget while across the ocean. I didn't get the type of financial aid I was thinking I would this semester, and so being frugal will be really important. Which means I might end up carrying tupperwares full of fried rice and kidney beans where ever I go. Which is actually okay with me. I love beans and rice!
I will miss my friends at Rice so much. It's going to be hard keeping in contact with everyone back home enough, I know, but I figure the best way to handle this whole experience will be to go One Day at a Time.