As I quickly approach my departure date for Maastricht, Netherlands and a month long stay in Europe, I find myself becoming a bit more susceptible to restlessness and anxiety. Despite prior experience traveling abroad and all the anticipation and excitement I have for my first study abroad experience, the reality of traveling to Europe without a parent or a close friend is daunting. The following is a list of some of the main things I am nervous about:
- Deplaning in a foreign country and having to navigate the airport and the city transportation system. I have always been with a parent and/or friends when traveling within the United States and overseas. Consequently, I have never had to navigate an airport alone or make a conscious effort to pay particular attention to my departure time and gate number. I always had someone with me to guide the way when getting my boarding pass, going through TSA security, and locating baggage claim, bus stops, train stations, and/or car rentals upon arrival.
- Managing money and expenses. With tons to see and so many exotic things to buy – not to mention the added cost of eating out– making sure I have enough money for food, additional housing, independent travel, entertainment, necessities, and miscellaneous expenses is a bit intimidating. Dealing with international fees is also a concern as most of my free weekends will likely be spur of the moment decisions with people in my study abroad class.
- Balancing studies with independent travel. Until now, each time I traveled somewhere whether in the United States or overseas, I was always on vacation. I didn’t have to worry about working on a group project or studying for an upcoming exam. However, during my study abroad program, I am in school first and foremost. Thus, finding the right balance between dedicating time to my studying abroad coursework (readings, assignments, blogs, presentations, etc.) and having enough time to take independent trips to other parts of Europe on free weekends is a bit daunting.
- Homesickness. Although I’ve lived away from home during my four years at college, I have never lived in a foreign country for more than two weeks and I have never lived a foreign country without my mom. Thus, living in Europe for a month surrounded by unfamiliar people, languages, customs, foods, brands, religions, and beliefs will most certainly be a challenge at first as I learn to adjust to my newfound situation.
Personal Goals
Like any major endeavor in my life, one surefire way to maximize my ability to get the most out of an experience is to combine forethought and intention-setting with reflection and retrospection.The following is a list of my personal goals for studying abroad as I begin to take steps towards making this incredible opportunity as meaningful as possible:
- Gain insight into my family heritage. Both my maternal and paternal great grandparents lived in Germany before immigrating to the United States in the mid to late 1800s. Having the chance to get a first-hand account of my ancestral roots along with new insights into my family’s language, customs, and culture would be a very inspiring and rewarding experience.
- Become more open minded. During my stay in Europe I want to let go of preconceived notions so that I can accept without comparing and observe without judging. To do this I want to expose myself to a variety of new experiences and different ways of living. I want to make a conscious effort to try new things such as eating local food and listening to local music.
- Become stronger, more self-assured, and confident. I want to test my ability to adapt to diverse situations through problem solving so that I can prove to myself that I am self-sufficient and capable of traveling independently. To do this I plan to take initiative in finding great flight deals, creating a plan and budget for meals and excursions, and booking hotels and hostels for independent travel.
- Develop a greater appreciation for diversity. Our behavior styles are defined by how we make decisions, solve problems and meet challenges. Each individual’s behavior tends to be consistent with their style. Unless we understand each other’s styles, we may get annoyed by how others act, or what they say. Thus, I want to grow and be more intentional in my interaction with different types of people I meet throughout Europe so that I can develop a greater appreciation for their perspective and outlook regarding different cultures, religions, customs, races, and ethnicities.
Most Exciting Place I Want to Visit
As someone who has a passion for storytelling and thrives off of stories that give meaning to life through layers of cultural values, idealistic aspirations, the understanding of good and evil, and the transformation of the everyday into the heroic and mythic. A place that I would like to get the chance to visit is Neuschwanstein Castle (or Schloss Neuschwanstein, as it is called in German). Set amidst a breathtaking setting, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Germany’s most romantic and famous attractions. Built in the 19th century under King Ludwig II in honor of Richard Wagner, the palace is located near the village of Hohenschwangau and the town of Füssen, by the Austrian border in southwest Bavaria. The palace also served as the main inspiration and model for the Sleeping Beauty Castle, which opened in Disneyland in 1955.
Sarah's European Voyage 