6 Days to Go!

At this point my flight to Italy is a little less than one week away and I’m feeling a lot of different emotions–exciting ones and nervous ones. The thought that I am about to leave my hometown to spend four months in an entirely different country almost doesn’t feel real. Having never been to Europe and never taking a trip of this length before I am caught in a whirlwind of travel tips, hacks, and advice from more seasoned travelers. I’ve just been assigned my apartment and my roommates–women from all around the country that I can’t wait to meet.

I’m using the next two weeks to both prepare for my trip abroad and soak up the last moments of summer in my hometown. I’m most nervous about the process of flying to Italy– my bags getting lost, missing a layover etc. However, I know that most of these issues are out of my control so I’m trying to focus more on what I can control. I’ve begun making a packing list for my trip and thinking through what I need to bring, what I can live without, and what I can buy when I get to Florence. I am beyond excited to explore the city and participate in the extra-curricular activities and excursions that are offered through SAI and my school.

The biggest piece of advice I’ve learned through this preparation process is to not overthink. It’s so normal to be nervous and scared and confused about going abroad but at the end of the day it’s not all that different from preparing to go back to school in the U.S. It’s not the end of the world if I forget my favorite sweater or don’t bring a certain pair of shoes I think I’ll need for a very specific occasion. Just like in everyday life, you adapt and make do with what you have or purchase what you need!

I’m excited to look back on this first entry in a few weeks or even a few months from now. I imagine many of my worries will seem trivial after I have adjusted to my new living situation and explored my surroundings.