As I welcome in the new year, I also welcome the new and exciting prospects it holds. Some of these prospects will be challenging, like my internship and new classes, but equally as exciting. It seems like just yesterday when I decided to look into study abroad opportunities. I started the school year with the idea of traveling to London for a semester, but wasn’t sure if it was something I actually would do. I needed reassurance that this was going to be worthwhile and not just an intimidating experience I wasn’t going to be prepared for. Luckily for me, I had friends in the CAPA program that were able to help me realize how much I truly wanted to have this experience. I heard all about their traveling experiences throughout London, Great Britain, and Europe, as well as their internships and classes and knew that i had to take advantage of the opportunity Rollins offered. I was also able to go through the application process with a close friend which helped calm some of my nerves and let me see all the fun possibilities the experience would yield. Of course the process was stressful and nerve-racking, especially thinking about all the unknowns and challenges I’ll face. Once we were accepted and information started rolling in about our classes, internships, and housing, my nerves turned to pure excitement. I know that there will be difficulties getting adjusted to a different culture, climate, dialect, and society, but I know that I can adjust to them given time. I moved over 1000 miles away from home when I came to Rollins, not knowing anybody, and I adapted to this change. London might be farther away, might be a bigger cultural difference, but I will be with people I know, and have more opportunities to look forward positively than be nervous for. I know that my experiences in life have prepared me well enough to take on a challenge like this by allowing me to see and prepare for the challenges but not let them cloud my excitement. I look forward to what this semester holds for me, and can’t wait to see where it leads me