2 Month Count Down

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So, I just got back from a mandatory orientation for students going to study abroad from UTA. It actually was more helpful than I first thought it would be. I groaned when I had first heard that it was a 4 hour process, but it did not feel that long because we broke for dinner (pizza, yum) and got to talk to each other. We also had this kind cutesy exercise at the beginning where we sat together with other people and talked about expectations or concerns about the place we'd be going to. We had large sheets of butcher paper and crayons and we were supposed to write/draw ideas about it. Yes, this took me back to pre-K- awesome. They had arranged our seats by region/country. My table was empty with only me sitting by myself at the time. A girl going to Sweden also was alone so we were paired together- we're going to the Northern hemisphere, right? She talked about how she fear eating the notorious pickled herring that apparently is a traditional dish that everyone is expected to eat. I don't blame her for being a little nervous. I told her I was worried about the fact the sunrise/sunset would be SO different from here. Because of being so far north, Ireland and Sweden both share the fact that the sun will sometimes rise at 4am, and set at 3pm, and the reverse is true- the sun might not rise until 9am but won't set until 11pm! We said we should buy sleeping masks and plenty of melatonin.

I also found out she is an architecture student in the graduate program! I laughed to myself- I can't get away from these architects.

After this fun little exercise, we listened to one of our leaders, Blake talk about the formal paper work/insurance/money/blahblah- but important stuff....I guess. Heh- it actually was pretty useful. But it was what it was...paper work and formalities.

In the middle a girl from my ENG 4330 class actually came in and end up sitting right beside me (like I said these were assigned seats, so what luck!) and she was going to England. At the break for dinner she and I had a nice conversation. She's nicer than I had originally thought when I had met her at the beginning of the semester. She's pretty cool and I hope we might keep in touch. We won't be too terribly far away from each other.

After dinner, the other orientation leader, Kelsi got up and spoke more about the cultural side about our travels. Part of the presentation that sort of scared me was the little video clip about people who get arrested in other countries for crimes and how terrifying it can be for an outsider. Not that I am worried about getting arrested! But still, it was a bit too real to want to watch much more. The idea of fellow Americans having to suffer in another country for their crimes- as much as I want to say, what an idiot, you deserve it, they're still people and I couldn't help but feel bad for them and wanted them so badly to get to go home, at least be in an American prison.

Anyways, back to MY trip and how safe and smart I will be! Hehe. It is getting real now. I am looking at courses I hope to take. The thing is, I found out that in Ireland (and apparently in other schools) no one registers until the week before classes and at times, during the first two weeks of school you are free to try out classes before you finalize what you take. I think I like that.

I have to take care of some more paper work. But I think it'll be good.

I liked the orientation because I didn't feel so alone. I am scared actually. Scared out of my mind if I let myself think about it too long. I am a home-loving Texan. I love being able to see my family and friends and Beau. I love Tex-Mex, cowboys, and the sun. But for four months I will give those things up to experience something, I believe will be incredible. I know God will be my only real constant and that's pretty much all I need. I look forward to seeing my relationship with Him strengthen even through tears of homesick I know that will come, probably the first day. I am excited and ready.

2 months to go!

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Comments

[anonymous]

"But for four months I will give those things up to experience something, I believe will be incredible." You got that right :) That's the way to look at it and you would never have forgiven yourself if you'd not done this. I wish I'd taken more opportunities when I was young and responsibility free.