By agoudsward
This time next week I will finally be in London. I will finally be able to use this space to write about my actual study abroad experience (instead of speculating about what it will be like or writing about my dull preparation.) Next week, I will finally be able to offer impressions of England, my thoughts on traveling alone thousands of miles across an ocean and what's it has been like to live in a foreign country (at least for a night or two).
But at this point it's all still theoretical, almost imaginary. Big Ben, Tower Bridge, UCL, my soon-to-be dorm room, all still seem like another world, a world that I've always wanted to visit, but that still feels inaccessible in a certain way.
I've always felt that traveling almost makes you a different person. It not only changes your physical location, but alters your whole experience. When you're away, you're not the person that gets up every morning for work or school and goes through the daily grind day after day. I'm still left wondering what London has in store.
In the meantime, here at home this last few weeks seem to be an endless blur of good byes and preparation. One week I have to bid farewell to friends, the next to my internship and finally to family. Then there are all the logistical chores that have to completed to make sure I'm set to leave. How will I communicate back home? What phone plan should I choose? Will I have access to my banking account? Do I need a voltage adapter or converter?
There are little things that make the approaching reality of the trip really sink in. For example, on Friday, I purchased the train ticket that will take me from the airport to central London when I arrive next weekend. The ticket I had in my hand will, in less than one week, bring me for point A to point B somewhere thousands of miles away. That to me is pretty exciting.
It all seems a little surreal, but London is calling.