Nothing can quite prepare you for the first couple of weeks studying abroad. After being here nearly a month, it’s safe to say that adapting has been a constant struggle. The state I find myself in is physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining, yet this has been the most interesting, exciting, and enjoyable few weeks of my life. I have slept in an airport, clubbed until the sun rose, read on cross-continental trains, and run through the streets of Dublin to find a bathroom. Safe to say that the experience has been quite holistic.
I have been traveling the world since I was born, but there were never as many active priorities as there are now. Balancing classes, traveling, meeting people, studying, and normal human needs has been overwhelming (incredibly tough life, I know). Still, one motto has transcended all these needs to make my experience as great as it has been so far. The simple act of saying yes has opened up a world of opportunities: traveling with new friends, experiencing new cultures, and overall making yourself as uncomfortable as possible.
This discomfort has been the guiding force of my travels and experiences. I follow this feeling like a drug, and it has yet to lead me astray. The food has been great, the people even greater, and the experience overall has been incredible. Obviously, this isn’t free, though. Be cognizant of your spending. Make a budget. However, money will come back, this time, and experience will not. Make the most of it and just say yes.
With Love,
Lorenzo
