It's the final countdown!

     After a long summer preparing for this moment I can honestly say that I am ready. I leave in two more days, and after purchasing the many items on the suggested packing list I feel both happy and sad. Happy because that means I am one more step closer to leaving, and sad because that means I have to pack now. Personally I would prefer to pack on sunday night, but I would rather not put myself through all of that stress because I have so much to pack.
     I am even more excited for the many wonderful people I will meet and friends that I will get to know even more while abroad. This is one of the greatest college moments in my life, besides deciding to come to Syracuse University. Even though the tuition is expensive and increases each year, I feel like the people I have met and the opportunities I have had while I have been there have really helped me grow and become more independent. This study abroad experience will help me even further by preparing me for my life in the real world. Even though it is not my first time traveling outside of the US it is a different situation because I will be living in London for 4 months. I will be living away from my family and friends and while this is disconcerting I know that I will also enjoy my time abroad.
     When I came to Syracuse University freshman year there were so many things I wanted to do, but the main thing I wanted to do was to be able to study abroad. The opportunity to study abroad would provide me with an opening to further my studies in another country, as well as being immersed in the culture. I knew that I wanted to study abroad although I was not sure which country I would like to study in. I began doing my research about studying abroad on the SU Abroad website and I came across programs in Chile, Italy, France, London, China, and many more countries, however when I began doing more research about the courses offered my options were narrowed down to London and Chile.
     I have taken two semesters of Spanish since arriving at College and although I want to be fluent in the language it is a challenge being able to keep up with assignments and all of the courses offered in Chile would be taught in Spanish. I thought to myself "I don't have time that, i'm not ready for courses taught in Spanish". In the end I decided to apply for the London program because there is a diverse culture, much like in the US, and I found more variety in the courses. I will be taking 15 credits, 5 courses which are: Forensic Psychology, Interpreting Shakespeare, Multicultural London, Contemporary British Politics and the Modern World, and Leadership/Stewardship Communication.      
     One of the downsides is that I chose one of the most expensive places in Europe to study abroad, $1.55 in US Dollars is only worth 1£ British pound sterling. I plan to make a budget for the amount of money I spend each week and only buy items I need and not things I want, which is my problem.