The countdown to my takeoff!

The journey is beginning! I am heading off to Singapore in two days and I’m getting really excited. If you don’t know anything about me- let me fill you in quickly on my college life. I’m part of a three semester study abroad program called IBEA, along with 34 other students from around the world. In this program, the three destinations that I study at (for a semester each) are Mannheim, Germany, Singapore, and Rio, Brazil. So, I spent Spring of 2023 in Europe! I wish I could have blogged that semester because this is a really good opportunity for me to hold myself accountable with journaling the process. This will really help me remember to document all the crazy stuff that study abroad entails. Now that you’re caught up, we are approaching my Singapore semester! 

Beyond the normal things that you think of with a study abroad, like applications to international universities, packing up your life, making new friends and learning new cultures, there’s a lot of prep work that goes into it. Even though this is only the second country that I will be studying abroad in, I can confidently say that every country is different in the formalities that need to be done before entering. Not to get too specific to Singapore (because it’s kind of an uncommon destination) but I have had to do a lottt of random things. Some of this included extra vaccinations, registering a lot of things like Covid, medications, and paperwork with the country, and finding housing (because there is no student housing at my university in Singapore). These are really good life skills, but they're time consuming and a learning process for everyone. My piece of advice for this would be: do your best not to let the small stuff overwhelm you, and try to spread out the tasks at hand to the best of your ability! Use the people in your life (whether that's your family, fellow classmates, friends, or mentors) to alleviate stress, and if you’re confused just ASK! This is one of the parts of study abroad that probably isn’t talked about enough, and definitely not glamorizing, but everyone goes through it to a certain extent. So remember to be excited and take it in while you can (you’ll end up blocking out all the prep work you did by the end of your amazing semester.)

For me, I actually started packing a lot earlier than I did for Germany because I was getting excited. Singapore is hot all the time (which is heaven for me) so the clothes I’m packing are light and take up a lot less space! My school, ESSEC Asia Pacific, has orientation a few days after I land and my classes start February 26th! My flight is in two days now, so today is all about printing off documents for my visa appointment, getting passport sized pictures at cvs, packing a little more, and hanging out with my family. In Germany I quickly realized (like literally the second I got to the airport) that I had way to many bags for just one person to drag around everywhere. The struggles that I went through when trying to roll all my suitcases through the city of Mannheim (where I studied) was enough to make me never want to do that again. So, this time I'm bringing one large suitcase, one small suitcase (for my travel in Southeast Asia), and my backpack and purse on the plane. Pro Tip: You probably will end up buying a lot of things while studying abroad, so try to leave some room and bring less clothes than you think.

Here's what I have so far, plus another small suitcase that isn't pictured :) I love packing cubes and highly suggest using them for organization and space. They've totally helped me!

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To finish up my first blog, I thought I'd write a few random things I’d suggest (given my experience abroad last spring):

• Make sure you bring a towel, even if it’s just one because you might not have any when you arrive to your apartment (this happened to me and it was an adventure because all stores were closed) 

• I always bring printed off pictures of me with my friends and family to tape around my room because its light, portable, and super easy! And it makes your room more homey since you don’t want to spend a lot on decorations and it takes up suitcase space 

• Get creative with ways to take care of yourself- I bought a “Pocket Tracker” notebook that will be something easy for me to write in each night to get my thoughts out and track how I’m doing :) It also functions as a mini journal! *Pic attached below

• If you’re in a long distance relationship- I’d recommend getting creative with this too! My boyfriend and I are going to send each other a pdf email once a week in the form of a letter. We’re using this time to really pour into each other and give dedicated time to writing how we are (since we will be in a 11 hour time difference and will have limited time to talk). 

• Bring cold medicine that you normally take when you're home (it'll be annoying if you're sick and have to go to the store and try to find products in different languages) and bring adaptors/converters for your technology or things like hair dryers

• You will never be prepared, so just go for it and you’ll figure it out along the way!!!!

• If you’re using a different phone plan and don’t have service like you would in the US, then UNPLUG and PLUG INTO LIFE! Set some screen time limits because the last thing you want to do is waste time on your phone when you’re living in a different country only once in your life! I’ve also realized that by not checking my phone first thing every morning, I’m more balanced and definitely more in the moment - just my suggestion :)

• Times when you feel uncomfortable, homesick, or are just not having the best time, lean into those moments! Don’t fight it, just sit with it because its part of the journey. No one does study abroad because they’re going to be comfortable all the time. So be proud of yourself and let yourself work through it day by day. All will be okay! 

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Okay, I’m wrapping it up for my first blog! I appreciate YOU for reading!!! I'll be back in a few days after I finish my 30 hour travel adventure to get there...

With love, <3

Brigitte