The Adventure Begins

The week has finally come! I leave for Europe this Friday evening, and I could not be more excited for this journey ahead. I intend to explore as much as possible during my time in Europe, but beforehand, there is still much to be done before my flight. I have never been to Europe before, so my preparation for this trip has been very unique in itself.

I have learned that there is much more thought that must go into planning for a trip such as this one. This is going to be my new home for the semester, or even potentially the year, and it is important to be prepared before I dive into a culture I am not as experienced with. At first, I was not sure how to plan for my trip in Stockholm; however, the DIS Compass Course explained just about everything I should be thinking of before I leave for Europe. Because of this course, my pre-departure experience has been quite informative!

When I usually travel, I always over pack as far as clothing is concerned; however, for my study abroad experience, I have learned through the DIS Compass Course that it is essential to pack light. If you are reading my blog, trust me, you will thank yourself when the time comes!! Something else to look out for is bringing a few basic necessities, such as European plugs to charge your electronic devices. This is beyond important, especially as a student having to do homework most days! Because of this, I bought three plugs just to be safe. I also made sure to bring a few books because I do enjoy reading very much, and this is a certain hobby that I use as a self-care exercise. It is important to bring along a few things that you enjoy doing in your free time, as long as it does not take up too much space!

The last thing that I brought that I personally think most people would enjoy is journaling. I absolutely love to journal about all of my experiences, achievements, setbacks, and everything else in life. It makes me feel positively connected to the world, just like blogging does. It is special to be able to look back at your thoughts and see how much you have grown. I plan on journaling throughout my entire experience in Europe, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Preparing for this adventure has been beyond exciting for me, especially since I have never been to Europe. Every time I pack an item in my suitcase, I get even more enthusiastic. I can not wait to explore many places and have the opportunity to make connections with individuals that reside in different countries around the world. This trip is definitely going to be a journey that is special, and I hope that by reading my blog, you will see just how special it truly is.