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Let the Countdown Begin

By KMorris117

The week is finally here. What was once “Oh, I’m going to Russia in February” has turned to “I’m going to Russia on Thursday”. And although I still don’t speak Russian or know anything about my host family, I could not be more excited to go abroad.

The nerves, of course, are inevitable. There are a lot of unknowns about my semester in Russia and not knowing how to prepare for these can be frustrating for me. Yet I’ve come to the conclusion that as much as I would love to have everything figured out and know exactly what I’m doing, I just simply cannot. I can read my program’s handbook forwards and backwards (which I have done), but there are bound to be many things about my semester that will be out of my control. Coming to terms with this has been a little tough, as I am one who likes to be grossly prepared for everything. But I have turned those nerves of the unknown into feelings of excitement for the challenges that lay ahead.

I am looking forward to all of it- the adventures, the obstacles, and everything I will learn in the process. I am excited to meet my host family, adapt to the cultural differences, and fully immerse myself in the Russian way of life. I’m eager to meet Russian students and hear their views on things like politics and international issues, and I am eager to learn enough Russian vocabulary that I can then contribute to the conversation with views of my own. Things are going to be pretty different over there. But instead of letting that scare me, I am allowing it to excite me. Taking this perspective has made the preparation process much more relaxing and fun.

Tomorrow, I will begin to actually start packing up. If anyone has any suggestions on what to bring to Russia in the middle of the winter, let me know! If not, I think I might just throw black sweaters and pants into a suitcase and call it a day!

My next post will FINALLY be from Russia, so get pumped. Until then- Пока!