Hey one and all! I don’t know about you but, for me, getting ready to study abroad has been like running in an exciting marathon while having leg cramps, heart attacks, panic attacks, and yummy ice cream breaks on the way to the finish line. What is going on? The problem is I got too much done too early (as early as six months ahead of time) that now I am waiting and waiting AND WAITING which is driving me CRAZY and making me more anxious. I am packed and ready to go but I keep doubting myself and checking the to-do-list over and over again. On some things, I am normally a procrastinator and I vowed that I would be the early bird this time but all the worms are gone and I have a taste for something else 🙂
In a few days, I will be on my way to Turkey to live the life I have been waiting for for almost a year but I fear that I might have a fatal heart attack before that time comes. For you guys who have reached or waiting to reach your destinations, how did you survive or are surviving the final weeks before your departure? Any nail biting or hair pulling? Or was it peaceful? Whatever you are doing I hope you are having a wonderful time. I think I am going to check that to-do-list one more time just to be sure (Ha!)
Kimberly
Location: Calaveras Drive, Atlanta, GA 30350
Loading map...
The final week prior departure was suck. I got a visa trouble, so all my schedule was messed up. It cost me $500.00 to change the air ticket. Unforeseeablely, I was exciting to go abroud, and turned into extream homesick right before I left. At the very last second, I even pray that the embassy should better not get the visa issued, so that I can rush back home.
I agree with Alison, packing was probably one of the most stressful parts! I wanted to pack as lightly as possible because I wanted to be able to manage my luggage alone. The plane flights in general were also very stressful for me (I had nightmares about them!), but thankfully they couldn’t have gone better.
I actually had friends waiting at the airport for me 🙂 They were study abroad students at PSU last year, and so that has been wonderful for me! They’ve been showing me around a bit, and helping me get my “new” life sorted.
Will you know anyone when you get there?
Packing for me was probably the most stressful part. I got here and realized I didn’t pack all of the right types of clothes. But I also packed the night before and didn’t have time to triple check everything! Another thing that made me uneasy was making sure I had enough copies of all my passport and visa information. Keep some copies in different suit cases and make sure to have your real passport easily accessible while flying. The flight was relatively easy mainly because I flew into London and everyone spoke English. The language barrier has been the most difficult and upsetting thing for me so far. I’m trying to learn survival Italian as quickly as possible so that I can get around!! So if you could study up on a few useful words that will help you get around on your way there in whatever languages you will come across. I think people sometimes appreciate if you don’t automatically speak English. Good luck and I hope you have a safe/smooth trip!!!