Finally the time to get on a plane and fly to Germany has arrived! My emotions have been on a rollercoaster for the past few weeks, I have either been really excited about the trip or really nervous. The little German I know doesn't seem to stick. I guess I'll be practicing on the long flight. Honestly the train system completely confuses me. (I've never used public transportation before) I can't wait to see new places and experience a new culture.

Starting off

I leave tomorrow and it's hard to believe.  It's been a while since I've traveled and I'd almost forgotten the conflicting emotions before beginning a trip like this.  The intense excitement wars with the anxiousness that accompanies the beginning of anything new and uncertain.  I've been gathering things for the trip for days and perpetually running through a mental checklist of what I need, what I might need, what I would miss most, what would just be unnecessary weight, and all the other considerations.  Oddly enough, one of my most troublesome questions was what books to bring.  I've always been a big reader, and it is particularly comforting in times of stress (like this last semester, amiright?).  However, being gone for six weeks, and flying with baggage restrictions, books could easily become a weighty nuisance.  I had to sift through my reading list and pick what I think would keep me occupied while still not filling my luggage with no room for anything else.  A friend also made the wise recommendation to bring something I find exceptionally reassuring and home-like, so when the inevitable culture-shock hits, I'll have something to turn to.  This seemed a lot to consider, but I think I finally found a compromise.  I settled on bringing Anna Karenina, which I've never read and have heard is excellent, to keep me busy (since it's one of those books you could likely use as a weapon if need dictated), and several of C. S. Lewis's works, since I've always found Lewis's writing comforting even when it can be challenging.  I suppose we'll find out if that's enough starting tomorrow!  Germany, here we come!

It's Almost Time

So in less than 24 hours I'll be getting on a plane to spend the next 4 weeks of my life in Europe. It's exciting and terrifying at the same time. I've only been abroad once before and that was to Spain so the language barrier is nothing new but I was only gone for 2 weeks then. I imagine some homesickness in my future. I fully expect to miss my family, friends, and pets a whole lot. (I'm missing my little brother's graduation which he's not too happy about.) Still, I'm excited to see and do new things, especially of the veterinary variety. Meeting vet students from other countries is probably what I'm most excited about while the travel (by train) is what I'm most anxious about. I'm counting down the hours and I can't wait!

Eek.

I have finally finished the giant list of things I had to do before leaving for Germany...except one thing...packing. I've laid out everything I want to take and I can tell you, it doesn't look like it's going to fit in my tiny 44 liter pack. After this, I'm going to go try and wrestle it all in there; should be fun.

So I'm excited of course. I'm also rather distressed about leaving my boyfriend, Brian, behind, but he tells me he'll be fine. I'm not convinced. He would love to go to Germany too, but it doesn't work out for him to come visit after the program. Neither of us has any international traveling experience, so part of my goal here is to learn everything there is to know about getting around Europe and the language. That way, I'll be able to take Brian back to Europe and we won't look like your typical confused tourists, yay!

Another reason I wanted to go on this trip stems from my passion for horseback riding. I've been interested in German culture since I had two riding trainers who were from there. Some of the best horses and riders in the world come from Germany, and I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of the English riding world there to compare to what I know here.

I've been working on the language a bit when I have time, and I really am excited to test it out. I'm thinking that learning German from an iphone translator app is probably not the best way to go about it, but that's okay. I'm sure it will make for some funny/awkward moments when I'm trying to have a conversation in German.

I don't know what else to say except that I'm ready to get this trip started! 

Almost Time!!

I can't believe that in less than 24 hours I will be on a plane heading to Germany! I keep fluctuating between being extremely excited and nervous. I'm nervous because I have never been to Europe and I'm not entirely sure what to expect. I have also never traveled by train so that will definately be a new experience, but one I am looking forward to. I'm also worried about not having everything that I need because, to my dismay, my backpack didn't fit nearly as much as I thought it would :). But mostly I'm just very excited about getting to Germany and getting to meet new people and see things I have never seen before. I love meeting people from different countries and learing about their background and culture and now I will get to experience it first hand.

Nearly time to leave

Hard to believe I'll be in route to Europe in 15 hours!!!  Its been 15 years since I have been to Europe.  I have been eagerly awaiting a trip back and now its finally happening.  Even as a kid I loved learning about and experiancing new cultures and now I get to combine it with learning about veterinary medicine in Europe! The minute I heard about the Veterinary Study Abroad program I knew it was perfect opportunity for me.  I have always wanted to visit Germany and to be able to visit Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Norway, and Sweden all in one trip is just amazing!  I am so excited!!!  Now I better go back to packing since I will be leaving soon!

Almost time.

Still hard to believe it’s actually happening. There are a number of emotions that would be appropriate for me to feel at this time, two days before departure, but I think dazed would be how to most accurately describe myself at the moment.  I know on Saturday at the airport my mind will be buzzing with excitement and apprehension.   Right now I just don’t know what to expect.  I’ve wanted to go to Europe for years and Germany most of all, and throughout those years I’ve built up and built up my expectations of how spectacular it should be.  Will it?  Will my perspective change?  Will my life change?  I hope so. :)