Explore. Dream. Discover.

Hey readers,

So yesterday I received my most recent orientation packet for my trip to Italy. It contained all the good stuff I’ve been waiting for, including orientation and semester schedule information, where I’m living, packing lists, and my roommates! I’m so excited to have all of this information and can’t believe I only have 20 days left until I leave. Before this packet, I received another one that sparked a post idea. On the inside cover are some great quotes about going out and exploring the world (including the entire quote by Mark Twain referenced in my title) and about how great study abroad really is, and then there are questions to answer before we leave, and I though that they would be great to talk about.

What are you looking forward too?
What am I NOT looking forward to!?! I’m so excited to travel to Italy, a place I’ve always wanted to go. I can’t wait to better my Italian, take new and interesting classes, meet new people, and travel, travel, travel. I’m already trying to pick all the places I want to go and when. I’m also looking forward to the unknown and the new and exciting.

What are your fears?
I think I’m afraid of a lot of things about going abroad. New people, new language, and a new place I’ve never been. But my fears are a lot of the same things I’m looking forward to as well. I think I just need to incorporate my excitement to cancel out the fear. I’m afraid of being without my family and friends, and the comfort of SMC, but I know I’ll learn to adapt and be fine. I’m more excited than afraid, but that changes a lot.

What is the farthest you’ve been from home?
Technically the farthest I’ve been from home is the Caribbean but that was with my family. SMC is the farthest I’ve been without my parents, so Italy is quite a ways away, and quite a time difference (7 hours ahead in Italy).

How do you think you will change after this adventure?
I’m not sure how I will change, but I know I’ll come back with a different view on life, culture, and the rest of the world. I think all my changes will be good ones and will help me grow into an adult and stuff, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

So that’s all from the “passport to Italy” packet. Keep checking back as the departure date (September 1st) gets closer and I get more and more excited/scared to go abroad. Oh and shout out to Meg.

Bye!