First major challenge of studying abroad: trying to fit my entire life into two suitcases. Preparing to leave the country for four months is a lot more difficult and time consuming (and expensive, might I add) than I had thought it was going was going be.

As of right now, there are 5 days, 18 hours, 39 minutes, and 10 seconds until my flight takes off for Leeds, England (not that I’m counting or anything). Unlike a few of my friends who have already left to study abroad in various countries throughout Europe, I actually got to finish my summer term classes at Drexel and had a whole week off to prepare for my departure. Therefore the next 5 days and 18 hours are going to be filled with lots of shopping, doctor’s appointments, a haircut, packing, bon voyage’s to friends and family, and did I mention shopping? I’ve somehow convinced myself (and my parents) that I need an entire new wardrobe and shoe collection to survive in England. Hey, I’m not complaining. However, what I am complaining about is having to pack. I have no idea where to start with the giant pile of clothes sitting in my living room right now because I’m not quite sure what I will or won’t need. My head is filled with ridiculous questions like “Do they have good shampoo in England?” and “What happens if I gain 40 pounds and none of my clothes fit any more?” and the ultimate personal debate: “Should I or shouldn’t I buy rain boots?” And as crazy as those questions sound, I have no idea what the answer is to any of them.

Aside from packing, I’ve had a few other preliminary thoughts on my mind. What’s been weird for me is that as many times as I tell people “I’m leaving in less than a week,” it still hasn’t hit me that I’m actually leaving the country for four months. I’ve been planning and imagining what the next few months are going to be like for almost a year now, but I feel like I’ve been doing all this work for someone else. I can plan and plan as much as I want but it’s still nothing compared to the actual experience. I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have this opportunity. I’m filled with all these mixed emotions of feeling excited, anxious, nervous, enthusiastic, and eager.
At this point, I really have no idea what to expect, but I what I do know is this: the next four months are going to make up the most influential, life-changing and challenging experience of my life, and I could not be any more ready to take it on.