The Count Down Begins

Today marks exactly three months until I leave for Florence, Italy. It blows my mind that in only 12 shorts weeks that I will be living in another country. I can't contain my excitement. It has always been a dream of mine to travel, and to finally get the opportunity is more than anything I can ask for. I have watched friends, family, and other students travel the world, and I am ready for my time. I am ready to experience the memories, beautiful views, and culture of another country. Although I am sure I will have to make many some adjustments, but isn't that what life’s about?

I can tell you that I have already begun to prepare for this amazing experience. Although I feel as if no matter how much I prepare; I'm bound to forget something, still feel unprepared, or something just goes wrong. Let's see if I forget something well, let's hope my new home has what I need. I can prepare through the help of friends, family, and orientation through Kent State. Finally, let's pray that nothing goes wrong!

With preparing comes questions, checklists, and lots of information. I have already checked some big things off my list. I have a plan ticket there an back, which means I am headed to Florence, Italy on January 6, 2015 and will not be returning until May 16, 2014. I have my handy dandy passport, which better be filled with lots of stamps when I return. However, most importantly I got what every person needs to travel to Europe. Well I mean that is, if you want to keep your electronics from catching on fire or exploding (mostly hairdryers and other hair tools) a converter. As for the questions, I am sure I have asked about one hundred already, and that's just the beginning. These questions include whom will I live with? Where? Where are the best places to travel? How can I use a phone? Most important, how much stuff can I bring? Those are just a few. Then comes all the information I need: medical, passport, visa, the euro, location, do's and don't just to name a few.

This upcoming week I will be completing my student visa. I will give the Kent State University School of Communications and Information some credit; they do a wonderful job at preparing the students to go abroad. We have an eight-week course on all the information we can possibly need. Our course includes roommate assignment, picking courses, finances, culture information, and more. When traveling to Italy we will have an advisor traveling with us, staying through orientation to make sure that we are all settled in, and make we get to the right location.

Our program is taking 15 women to Florence this semester! I am just one of the amazing women that has the opportunity to study abroad. I can't wait to embrace the corners of the world with these women by my side.

#europe #travel #journey #wanderlust #photo