I haven't been discussing the pre-departure process, mostly because there hasn't been much. Or, rather, there hasn't been much of interest. Paperwork, mostly. And more paperwork. And then crying because my best friend can't come to England with me anymore. And more paperwork to get signed.
But today, since I can't get to the campus the program is through, I've just been on an online pre-departure orientation with my advisor from the other school and a few students who are also going abroad next semester. Informative? Yes, especially when it comes to specifics, such as money things and Visa planning and technology. Particularly interesting? Not really.
She started with a few points that are important to talk about, but as a lover of traveling and cultural anthro, I'm very aware of. Culture shock, language differences even in an English-speaking nation, expecting your travel to be glamorous when it's really not--all things I know. I'm also very aware of my own emotional state when change occurs and when traveling.
I'm scared. The first couple weeks--the first week specifically, and probably the second too--will be tough. I'm scared of being completely on my own. I've emailed the lady I'll be staying with and she sounds very nice and her family sounds lovely, but I've never been anywhere I don't know anyone. I have a good support system and I've never really been too far away from friends and family. But this--this will just be me. It's all the turmoil of having to make friends your first week at college, but without the promise that the people I've known for my whole life being only a few hours away. Well, they will be. Six-ish hours away by plane over an ocean.
But at the same time, I am so excited. It's finally hitting me, that after the next week of finals, I will be a Kingston University student for the semester. This is really not the time to think about it; not with two papers to write, a take-home to finish, and two other finals to study for. But after the holidays, I will be going back to the place I've wanted to live since we visited when I was 13.
And much as I don't want to leave everyone and everything I have behind, I am so looking forward to exploring and growing and learning and being part of another place, if only for a little while.
