Kia Ora!
I have just over 24 hours until I depart for one of the biggest journeys of my life. I am flying to New Zealand to start my semester abroad! I am so excited for what’s to come, yet I am nervous about making sure I packed everything and that I am prepared for all of my endeavours. My high school best friends have been running errands around town with me along with hitting our favorite food spots so that I can have my last tastes of America until over five months. I am excited to embrace a new culture and meet some amazing new people in New Zealand! We just received our itinerary for orientation when we arrive in Queenstown, which is going to be so much fun and my birthday is the second day we arrive! It is my 20th birthday and we are going to be taking a cruise through the “eighth wonder of the world” which is going to be a once in a lifetime experience.
The flight to get to this amazing place is very long which is something I am unsure if I am ready. It is 26 hours of travel (yep, a whole 26 hours). I downloaded a couple podcasts and have avoided watching TV so that I can catch up on the flight, but 26 HOURS is so many episodes. I bought two books as well, but I think I am relying on sleeping as much as I can to get me through the flight. My best friend, Erin Feeney is also studying abroad in New Zealand with me which makes me more calm because I have someone with me to navigate through the airport and this five month journey with. We have the same flight for the way there, but when we fly home in November we are on different flights. I cannot wait to make lifelong memories with her next to my side halfway around the world!
As much as I am dreading this long flight, I am so excited for the adventure on the other side. Until next time America!
-Lila