Last-Minute Packing

In about 3 days, I’m going to be getting off of a plane at Fiumicino – Aeroporto Internazionale Leonardo da Vinci and beginning my study abroad experience in Roma. My flight leaves from Dallas on Sunday which is a mere two days from now and I am leaving Oklahoma to go to Dallas tomorrow morning to visit my brother for a little bit. I don't think the fact that I’m leaving for another country has really hit me yet as I have yet to start packing. That being said, I have thought about it a lot and I know exactly what I’m going to be packing so I’m not too worried. As this will be my first time in another country, I’m expecting to get there and realize that there was something that I forgot; but so far I think I’ll be pretty well set packing and honestly overpacking on clothes is the thing I’m the most concerned about.

I’m incredibly excited to begin this journey abroad and have the experience of a lifetime. Italy has always been my dream country to visit and I can't wait to finally see the country that I have dreamed about for so many years. On the other hand, I’m a little anxious as this will be my first time traveling outside of the United States. I’ll be living in a country where I don't speak the main language and where I don't know the culture. Through this blog, I really want to try and focus on not only the activities that I’ll be participating in but also on the experiences that I have dealing with visiting and living in a new country for the first time. I plan to reflect on my experiences and show readers what it’s like to really experience culture shock and even jet lag from a nine hour long flight, which I have never experienced before.

One of the things that I am honestly most excited for are the many challenges that I will be facing during my time in Italy. Whether it’s finding my way around a new city, communicating with locals who may speak little to no english, or planning trips to visit other countries and cities, I am looking forward to facing these challenges head on and in doing so learn more about myself and my limits. I believe that facing challenges is an incredibly important part in the process of learning about oneself and there is no better way to do that than by living and studying in a new country.