I write today from the international Terminal of LAX, where I have been for the past few hours and will be for at least another 7 due to a wonderful 12 hour layover between my arrival from MCO and departure for Auckland. Now that I have finally eaten and found a spot to settle for the foreseeable future, I finally have a bit, maybe even an excess, of time to reflect on not just the past few days, but the coming months ahead of me in New Zealand.
Looking back on these past few days, I’ve finally realized just how much I had to do in such a short time. Since I only arrived back home from a family trip on Sunday, I went through my final preparations probably a lot faster than I should have. It’s actually pretty crazy all I’ve done in such a short time. From money exchanges to have cash on hand for my arrival in New Zealand, to packing, to all the last-minute purchases, to unpacking everything and repacking it, to making the rounds to friends and family to say goodbye for the next few months, to unpacking what I packed once more because I know I can fit more and actually only have to bring one checked bag to switching which bag I was going to check about a million times, and many other things I’m forgetting at this point. Looking back its mostly packing, but man is it stressful figuring out just what you will and won’t need for the next 5 or so months in a climate very different from your own.
Sitting here, I finally have the time to look ahead at what’s to come, at least more than just trying to choose what to pack. I’m incredibly excited for pretty much everything ahead of me, excluding next 2 flights. Once orientation begins, the whirlwind of things ahead of me will as well, which is definitely exciting, but also somewhat intimidating, considering this semester begins so much earlier than what I’m used to now, with most of my friends beginning at Rollins nearly two months later.
Overall, I really could not be more excited to begin this journey. I have heard nothing but good things about Dunedin and the university of Otago from every student I’ve talked to who has been there, so I have every reason to look forward to this. Now, off to dinner before queueing for boarding.
