Growing
up, I was always very privileged with opportunities to travel that most people
might never have in their lifetime. Because of this, wanderlust has always been
an innate characteristic of mine. It is my ambition to study abroad because my
case of “itchy feet” has lead to the desire to being my adult life with new
experiences that are unique and inspiring to me. I have had a taste of what the
world has to offer me in past experiences of travel and I have an appetite for
more.
Ireland
has always been on my long list of places to visit. So, when the opportunity
arose for me to study there for an entire semester, I knew that was something I
would be unable to pass up.
I know
full well that when I return from this trip, I will be a changed person. This trip
is not only an amazing experience to travel, but also an amazing experience for
me as a person. I have been known to be quite the wallflower when it comes to
new things. This trip abroad is something that I know is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity, which will motivate me to immerse myself fully into the entire
experience.
I have a
few major goals for myself during my stay.
·
Become more independent! I have spent most of my life relying on
my supportive family to lend a hand whenever possible. It’s now my time to rely
entirely on myself in every facet of my life. Hopefully this is a skill that I
can take home with me.
·
Stop procrastinating! I don’t have time to spend hours and
hours putting off homework. There is too much to do! It’s going to be my goal
to get things done well before their due dates so that I have more time to
relax and enjoy my trip.
·
Try new things! I have a very limited time in a country
I’ve yet to explore. There isn’t time to say “no” to things. I plan on trying
new foods, making new friends, taking trips to places I’ve never been;
everything I can to make this the experience of a lifetime.
These
goals are a big deal for me. All of them are things I’ve tried in the past, but
have not kept to. I think that with the right amount of dedication, and the
idea of a clean slate in a different country might be just what I need to get
them achieved!
I have struggled with anxiety
since I was a teenager. So, for a girl who finds taking a bus downtown out of
her comfort zone, there are many things that I fear about this trip. One of the
biggest fears I have is homesickness. I’ve never been one to miss home all that
much because I’ve never really been more than a few hours away from home for a
few weeks at a time. However, I know that going three months without seeing my
family, relying on a computer or a cell phone for communication is going to be
hard for me.
The food is also one of my
biggest apprehensions. I’m the first person to admit that I am a very picky
eater. Having been abroad before to England and Scotland, I’m familiar with the
vast differences in food and styles of cooking. Having a chiefly vegetarian
diet with little to no adventurousness in the realm of food, I worry that I am
going to find myself eating the same four meals every week.
Looking back on it, if these
two things are the worst of my fears, I expect that I am going to have a pretty
easy time transitioning to life abroad. Although those things are quite big in
my opinion, in the grand scheme of things, three months of a limited menu and
constant skype calls to my family is not all that bad. For the weight this
experience has in the long run, I think it will be worth all the struggles!
That being said, there are SO many
things I’m desperately looking forward to! I can’t wait to meet new people and
learn all there is to know about Irish culture. I am so excited to see all the
beautiful sites that I’ve spent hours looking up on the internet. I’m not sure
my memory card is prepared for the pictures that I’m going to be taking. It is
going to be such a nice change from the mundane life I’ve been living recently.
It’s so exciting to start new in a place where you have nothing to do but learn
and explore.
Well, that’s it for now! I hope that
you enjoyed reading and continue to follow me on my journey to Carlow, Ireland
in September 2013! Next time you hear from me, I’m going to be in the Emerald
Isle!
Until then,
Megan
