Before I Go

I’ve pretty much been waiting to go to Paris since I was ten years old. I was never sure how I was going to get there, or exactly when, but I knew I was going to make it eventually. Now here I am, waiting to rush to O’Hare and board my 12 hour flight on the 22nd, and I can’t help but feel that reality hasn’t hit me.

Anyone that I run into asks me if I’m excited or what my plans are but I can’t quite form an answer for them. I know that they want to hear that I simply cannot wait and that it is all that I’ve been able to think about for the past couple of months, but I feel as if I haven’t had the proper time to imagine how I will feel when I get off of the plane.

I’ve been so busy working to save up money for the trip, along with my usual school work, plus finishing all the requirement for the program before leaving. One fact that people don’t mention when they talk about studying abroad is that there is quite a lot to do before you leave. I’m sure that this is because everyone instantly forgets about all of the pre-departure work by the time they arrive, but in all honesty, there really is quite a big check list.

Filling out housing preferences, insurance, dealing with the bank, dealing with your phone company and plan, paying for the trip, and sending all the information that the school needs is quite a task when you’re also taking classes and working. I really should not and cannot complain about these minor tasks. I know for a fact that it will all be more than worth it once I’m there and enjoying this wonderful experience. I simply wish to explain how I am feeling before I go.

It’s all blurry. Part of me feels like it isn’t really going to happen; like plans you make with a friend and you just know they are going to fall through. Part of me is nervous; nervous for the culture shock, my lack of ability to speak fluent French, and the overall lost feeling that one can get while adapting to a foreign place. But mostly, I’m beyond excited. I’m excited to finally leave the country. I’m excited to finally fall onto my back under the Eiffel Tower and lay there until an embarrassing amount of time has passed. I’m excited to travel to different countries and become completely lost. I’m excited to see what happens.