As excited as I was to be spending my fall semester in Australia, as I am approaching my departure date, I am definitely beginning to have second thoughts. Although I know being in this foreign country is going to be the experience of a lifetime, all I can think about is what i will be missing out on in america. Yeah, I’ve done field studies and vacations, but this is almost half a year without the people I love the most. The emotions I am feeling are very mixed. 2 years at rollins, I have definitely created a home there and have cohorts all around, however I know this experience will definitely get me out of my comfort zone. Going from a school of 2500 to a school of 40,000 can definitely be terrifying but I know so much growth will com from these 5 months.
I have always known that I wanted to study abroad Studying abroad has always been on my bucket list, where to travel was the difficult part. Since elementary school, I have always been fascinated by Australia. The fact that I am now about to make it my new home is mind blowing. In these 5 months, I hope to gain independence and individuality. I am hoping to find myself and learn new things that I didn’t know before. I want to try new foods, see new places, be adventurous and experience things that I never have before. I am excited to be immersed into a new culture and meet new people. I want to have the best stories and memories to bring back home with me.
I know being at Newcastle will feel like a repeat of freshman year again, so I guess I have to remind myself of all the new friends and experiences that came with it, and know that the same will come from being at newcastle. Though I’m scared, I can’t help but to fantasize how awesome life in Australia will be. All the beaches, new friends. I’m keeping an open mind with everything. Australia, I’m ready for you.