I wondered when the reality of this would sink in. It wasn't during the application process, while I was buried under a mountain of paperwork, or even when I got the acceptance email which said I was accepted into the ISEP-exchange program in Trier, Germany. The reality that I was going to be flying to a different country, far from home, where I barely understand the language and know absolutely no one, to live for five months on my own for the very first time began to sink in when I clicked Confirm on that plane ticket. And I absolutely cannot wait!
Sometimes I imagine how my life there will be, I imagine learning a new culture, meeting new people, and all the fun adventures happening like a movie montage. Okay, so maybe that last bit is not exactly realistic. Things probably won't go as planned--trains will be missed, flights cancelled, and most horrifying of all: bad hair days WILL STILL HAPPEN. But it will be worth it. To take a Douglas Adams quote out of context, "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." My goal is to not worry about things out of my control (which includes almost everything) and to enjoy life as it happens.
Honestly, I still don't believe that I completely understand what I have gotten myself into. I think the full reality of it will only happen when I begin to pack my bags.
