Five
weeks.
I only have
five more weeks of feeling restless,
impatient, and nervous.
You may
wonder why I am experiencing these feelings. Well, in the next five weeks, I
will be studying abroad in COSTA RICA! Hence, this upcoming trip is the
reason for the jumble of emotions.
Notice
the part where I mentioned “five weeks”…
that’s 35 days of twiddling my thumbs (and hopefully practicing Spanish) while I
wait for the approaching departure date.
The
restless feeling is due to this period of in-between. As I wait here, at my
home in Florida, my suitemate is already on her study abroad adventure in
Spain. Also, all of my friends have started their second semester yet here I am
waiting to begin mine in March… which makes me feel liking I’m falling behind.
And in
my experience, restlessness comes hand in hand with impatience. I am itching to
leave and start my studies (that’s for you, mom), but I’m also ready to explore the
lush rainforest, dance the night away to salsa and meringue, eat tasty arroz y
frijoles all the time, join some
pickup soccer games, and enjoy the beauty the makes up Costa Rica.
The only
fix to get rid of my feelings of restlessness and impatience is to invent a
time machine that would immediately transport me to late February… since that’s totally
not going to happen… the last thing left to quell, before I leave, is my
nervousness. *I’d like to point out that the nerves consist of excitement as
well as stress.*
I am nervous for a couple of reasons, as I’m sure the people
joining me on this trip feel similarly, for which I will put into list form:
1) This
is no short trip. I will be abroad until the end of June. THAT’S FOUR FREAKING
MONTHS.
ALONE.
IN THE RAINFOREST.
Okay,
so I’m obviously being dramatic. I won’t be alone for long. I will be meeting
and getting to know some other students from Elon as well as other
international students. And, I will be living in San Jose. Which, by the way,
is pretty dang close to the rainforest.
So like I said, I’m IN THE RAINFOREST… and kind
of ALONE.
2) Spanish
is the official language in Costa Rica. Yo hablo un poco Espanol. Therefore, my
first few weeks will undoubtedly result in countless headaches from trying to
understand and respond. Hopefully, I will catch on fast by putting my previous
knowledge from Spanish classes to good use. Sure, I will start off my trip
sounding like I’m at the level of a Hispanic two year old
but my goal is to come home fluent.
3) Culture
shock. I've heard plenty about it and it will probably hit me hard. Some things
I should expect that are different than what I am used to are: to utilize the bus system and frequently use
cabs (since it is not as expensive there), give directions like “I live over
the bridge, to the right of the McDonalds, at the house with red tiles” rather
giving an actual address, hear Spanish used basically everywhere, live with a
host family (which means that my home abroad will be with a random new family and a
random new roommate), and live a much slower paced lifestyle. Hopefully, I’ll adjust gracefully.
It’s too
bad clumsy is my middle name.
4) I have to create a blog for my GST class. A public journal, if you will, of
opinionated essays written by yours truly. I've never been one to express my
thoughts so openly which makes this completely
nerve racking. Sure, the amount of people who might read this blog is slim… Basically
future Elon abroad-ers or family, but it’s still something I am not usually
comfortable with.
At
the moment, I may be feeling restless, impatient, and nervous… oh my. However
unlike Dorothy, from the Wizard of Oz, who chanted her fears with “lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!” as she
proceeded through the Spooky forest, I will proceed through this in-between
state trying my best to just be excited with what is to come and with minimal
chanting.
Yay! I can't wait to read all about your adventures!
ReplyDeleteI am feeling a few things, too. Proud! You step out of your comfort zone all the time and make life an amazing adventure. Excited! This study abroad experience will be one of many "chance of a life time" opportunities for you. Stressed! Because I am mom. Need I say more?! Love you to infinite and back, Megan
ReplyDeleteGreat start to the blog, Megan. We can't wait to see all of your adventures in this real time travelogue!
ReplyDeleteAny chance your site will automatically update us when you post? This is awesome; so proud of you!
Aunt Kathleen: Thank you! And I don't know if it will automatically update you, but I will try to find out. What I do know is that if you "follow or subscribe" to this blog, it should show anything I post on your Google Plus newsfeed!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you, Megs! Can't wait to read all about your time in Costa Rica!!! <3
ReplyDeleteLove Marti
Ummmmmm who the heck is Marguerite?
DeleteHaha thanks girl, I'm excited to write about it!
Love, Megs
Megan, you will have an absolutely amazing experience in Costs Rica and in June when you come you can say with confidence that you can handle anything that comes your way.
ReplyDeleteLeena
I sure hope so!
Delete