Beginning the Journey

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