Last Updated on October 1, 2013 by
194. This is the number of days that were on my countdown when I first started it. 194 days to wait, worry, and everything in between. London always seemed like such a far away place, something I had been talking about for a year, but never somewhere I was actually going. Now, my countdown is at zero. Those 194 days went by in such a blur, faster than I would have ever imagined possible. All of the planning, the shopping, the packing (oh the packing…), all of it is finished. All that is left to do is hop on that plane.
I don’t think I ever really made the actual decision to study abroad. The only thing I was really sure of was that I wanted to go to London. Somehow, someway, I would make it there.
To me, London has always felt like a home away from home. I am part English so maybe that plays a small part, but everything about it has always enchanted me, like it was a fairytale world living and breathing in our modern day. The quirks, the way everything always seems so backwards, that chaos and confusion pulled me in. After the realization that I needed to go to London hit, I figured out that I could actually study abroad. I have lived at home the first three years of college so studying abroad is my first shot at actually living on my own. I must admit I am nervous; I love my family more than anything so the thought of being away from them for so long is really daunting. With their love and support I know I’ll make it through this with flying colors.
As I wait to get to the airport, I am filled with all sorts of emotions: mainly excitement, but definitely a little trepidation, fear (just a little, not enough to worry about), and the feeling that this still isn’t real. Until I see all of the London sites, smell the air, hear the people, I don’t think it will completely sink in that I am finally in London. Everything that I’ve worked so hard for, it’s finally going to pay off when I step off the plane. Those 194 days are over, but this is just the beginning.
