Tag Archives: Pre-Departure

Saturday and Scotland Draw Ever Closer

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I don’t actually know what Edinburgh will be like and, to me, that’s the exciting part; getting to write my experience while I go along. I know I do have some preconceived notions – really, it’s impossible not to, though I’m very happy to say none of them involve kilts or haggis – but I won’t be able to tell you what they are until they’re proven wrong. And that’s the fun part, isn’t it? Finding out what’s actually true, how things really work, what the people are like. Because the people are what make a place, and I think that’s what I’m looking forward to most; the chance to met people and see what they, and the people who came before them, have managed to make out of the world. The human race is endlessly fascinating. It always has been, and I doubt it’ll stop being so any time soon.

So, I think I’m ready. I’m nervous, and anxious, but the waiting is always the worst part of anything. I’ve been on enough short trips to know that. But more than that, more than the insane worry that Heathrow International Airport will defy it’s purpose of safely transporting passengers from one locale to another and be an unnavigable maze in which I will get lost and miss my connecting flight (which it won’t), I’m excited, and I can’t wait to try something new.

Kat

Emotions, Expectations and Excitement

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396808_10151002140138476_942455531_nSmall town girl, on to the big city.

This photo captures my home-town, and represents the beginning of where I started-where I grew up. In a city as big as London, a small town girl as myself feels very nervous. I look at this adventure as a stepping stone in my life-another step into growing up. From what I know, the american culture to European culture shows many differences in foods, sports, money, and government. I cant wait to taste the difference in foods, and in the culture. I feel anxious in getting a little piece of it all. Im going with an open mind, heart, and positive attitude. I am hoping on getting the whole experience and really connecting with the city in that little time I have there. Up to this point in my life, this has to be one of the most far fetched things I have done. I can’t wait to see what London has to offer. But more than anything, I hope this gives me the confidence to keep doing bigger and better things.

Growing up in a small town, and going to college in a small town, I would have never expected myself to do anything out of my comfort zone. Even back home,  I still don’t know all the street names around there, because I have gotten so used to just getting around, and sticking to “what I already know”. So this time I told myself I needed to do something that was different from anything I have ever done. Now here I am,  a sophomore in college, ready to see what this big world has to offer me. My emotions are all over the place, me being the home-grown girl that I am. My expectations are up in the air, and the excitement is never ending.

Jenny

A Rough Landing (Reposted)

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Thirty hours from door to door. Naturally, it took me a day to get my head on straight so I could write a coherent first blog post.

Before going into details about the “dream-flight,” I want to say something about my blog title. The title “into a north west sky” refers to the last siting of me in the US was flying over the lit-up Seattle streets. The tag-line refers simply to the three-country boarder on which I live; the border of France, Switzerland, and Germany.

Back to my much anticipated return to Europe.

In order to save a bit of money, Anja and I chose to fly direct from Seattle to Frankfurt. It was the right choice. We didn’t fly out until eight at night, thus we didn’t need to get up at unearthly hours and got to have a nice lunch in downtown Seattle with my parents. As to the flight its self, I will sum it up in a few tips I have to other travelers.

1: Don’t travel with three five year-old boys.If the boys aren’t a nuisance, the parents yelling at their every move in order to hinder them annoying others are worse.

2: The best way to sleep is against an up-right armrest. Better yet, sit between an armrest and a window or two armrests. Also, take a travel pillow.

3: IMPORTANT! Always expect the best-worst (or worst-best) outcome. I don’t mean expect that the plane will crash of the shore of Greenland and the passengers are eaten by Orcas and those lucky enough to make it to land become popsicles for Polar bears. But one should expect that their plane is delayed due to too many carry-ons, one is stuck behind a parental time bomb hooked to a three kindergarten fuzes, and one looks greasy and exhausted when stumbling of the train that was delayed and overfilled due to a technical malfunction.

Chuck

Is This Real Life?

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It’s not the greatest, but I like it.

Post for Tuesday June 26, 2012

I cannot believe I leave for Spain tomorrow. So much has happened the past two weeks that I have not put as much thought to this as I think I normally would. Less than two weeks ago I finished my Spring term finals and my sophomore year of college, I said my goodbyes to my residents and friends, and I moved back home with my family. I have been spending some time preparing for my departure by doing things like getting cash Euros, doing some last minute shopping, and packing. My mom and my brother just left to Mexico four days ago and I am sad I will not be able to go with them. Before they left I asked to take a family picture just because we had not taken one in an extremely long time. It’s not the greatest picture because we took it just as we were on our way out to the airport, but I like it.

Yesterday I got an e-mail that described what my home stay will be like. The e-mail said I will stay in an apartmetnt with a large terrace right around the corner from Camp Nou (Barcelona’s Soccer stadium). It also said my host family has two boys, one three-year-old, and one seven-year-old. I am anxious to meet them and see the apartment, but I’m also very nervous because I hope they like me and I like them. Although I have been on several flights to Mexico in the past, I am scared I might get sick on the planes since I have never had such long flights. I do not know how well I will do with three long back-to-back flights. I hope I do not get sick though. I am almost done packing but I am not sure if I should take more because I was told to pack light but there is still a lot of space/weight left available and I feel like I should take advantage of that. I have learned that Barcelona is supposed to be pretty warm in July so I am taking a lot of shorts. My first flight is tomorrow morning at 8am, so my dad and I will be headed for the Portland Airport at 5am! I just want to make sure I don’t miss my flight though.

Besides my small fears and nerves, I am extremely excited to finally make this dream of mine come true. I have been hoping to travel overseas, to southern Europe in particular, for as long as I can remember. I know this will be a worthwhile experience and I cannot wait to share more about it.

– Jose

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

Pre Departure

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Hola!

I’m so excited to go to Spain! My friends are throwing me a going away party at the Rogue hop farm and brewery in Independence. The party is going to be three days before I leave, so probably really emotional but I’m sure a good time. I know I’ll cry when I finally do have to say goodbye to my friends and especially my family. Not because I’m sad that I’m leaving, but because I’m going to miss them. Although, the whole point of this trip is for me to experience something new (in my case going to Europe for the first time,) make friends, and of course LEARN SPANISH! I’m excited to meet the rest of the students in the AHA program and to meet my host family. So far, I know that the mother is a widow who has three daughters and a cat. One of the daughters still lives at home because it is customary in Spain to live at home until one gets married.

Before I head to Spain, I will be going to Holland for four days. Why you might ask? Because I am going to go visit some very dear family friends of ours named Martijn and Patricia. Martijn was my grandparents’ exchange student back in 1989. Upon his stay in the U.S. he became very close with our family and ever since he graduated high school he and his long-time girlfriend Patricia have come back to visit us every few years! However, the peculiar thing is, is that no one in my family has every traveled to Holland to visit them! I am going to be the first one! I have already sent Martijn a list of interesting places I’d like to see. Once I get over there it will depend on he and Patricia’s work schedule, but, if I know Martijn, he’ll show me a great time! I also recently received an email from him asking me to please bring some of my grandma’s WORLD FAMOUS cookies and also I duck antenna topper for the Mini Cooper they just bought! Naturally those two item will be in my carry-on bag for safe keeping.

My plan is to fly to Amsterdam, visit Martijn and Patricia, fly to Barcelona and have a seven hour layover (yuck,) and finally fly to Oviedo!

Ciao for now!

Pre-Departure Mash Up

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I never thought I would feel anxious about this trip to Guatemala, but I need to admit that I am. This past Saturday I returned from a week long trip to northern California with my Mom to see my Nana, Uncle Skip, and my cousin Holly. When I got home, I had overwhelming feelings of anxiety and sadness. I couldn’t understand why. Was it because I missed my family? Was I scared to leave my friends? Was I nervous about speaking Spanish? To help find some advice I sought out my roommate Emily who has just returned from her own study abroad adventure in Argentina. While I was sobbing in the shower, I asked her, “Emily, what’s wrong with me?” and she said, “Shannon! There’s nothing wrong with you!” On the other side of the shower curtain she explained to me that yes, there will be good and bad days, yes, you will struggle understanding people, and yes, you will be home sick. But, the experience of growing and learning about myself in another language and culture is one of the most challenging and certainly the most valuable. She assured me that I am ready for this adventure and that everything in my life has only prepared me more for it. In the end, I think I just needed a solid pep talk.

Now here I am. T-minus 12 hours to a three month adventure of a lifetime. Am I ready? Well, that depends. I have my suitcase packed, my finances in order, and my passport on hand. Said my farewells, hugged, kissed, and waved goodbye. But, even after all that I may never be ready. It’s kind of like what I’ve heard about parenting – you’re never ready to be a parent. You just do it and see what happens. So, that’s what I’m going to do.

In the wise words of my Papa, “Don’t look back, Shanny, you can only look forward.”

Pre-departure again. P.S. I Love You

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This is the second pre-departure (before leaving to go to my site of study, Angers) blog. Since I have already been in Europe before my program through WOU began, I started blogging early. The official assignment would be starting now, had I followed the usual timeline, so I’m doing a mini start over for assignment purposes.

“I’m leeeaving, on a fast train!”

September 1, 2012

Tomorrow is the day. I have one night before hopping on the train to Angers. I have so much to do that I’m barely thinking about that! Traveling with my family went SO fast and was a whirlwind of wonderful experiences. However, right now I’m kind of stressed about how much I have to do. I’m behind on blogging and getting further behind every day.

*Interruption!* I’m writing this on the subway and a man with a saxophone and another with an accordion just boarded and began to play….loudly. Many people seem to be annoyed but I am rather amused (as I’ve learned you must be, to put up with Paris).

Today, Saturday, we are going out to Versailles Palace and Gardens. Should be a fun day. Tonight, though is my last chance to copy pictures from my dad’s camera to my laptop, re-pack everything and get prepared to start the next chapter. It’s exciting, yes, but overwhelming!

Fountain in Versailles Gardens!

I’m looking forward to moving in and being settled in one place for awhile. I can’t wait to make new friends! I am nervous about taking the French placement test, but it will be good to start studying the language again after so long and even better to learn it while here where I’ll be using it! Other sources of apprehension are the complete unknown of meeting my family and roommate, wondering if I’ll have internet access and when and where I can do laundry next!

Those are basically all my thoughts about it so far, I’ve been too distracted! I guess I’ll see tomorrow when I’m on the train with my bags and my parents are on the plane home how these feelings change!

Cette une grand adventure!

I also have a quick P.S. to my Paris blog about the people along the way that brightened my day and deserve to be mentioned.

1)      In Brugge on our last morning, we were walking through town after acquiring chocolate and a young man wearing an apron and a bandana ran past us carrying a rag in one hand, and a cucumber in the other. I have no more information than that, but a glimpse at him amused me enough to smile the rest of the walk!

2)      Many of the people working at little shops in train stations and such are fairly grouchy, which I suppose is understandable. There was however, one man whose good humor was appreciated. As we made our purchase, he asked my mom for 20 cents or something and while digging in her coin purse she discovered a mini fork from a sample. As a joke, she offered it to the cashier and I cringed expecting a humorless and annoyed response. To our pleasant surprise, he played along with the fun and consequently brightened my day!

3)      As mentioned in my Paris blog, the couple from Australia that was traveling around and got confused about train transfers was very good company. I enjoyed meeting them and not being alone in our situation.

4)      Finally I must mention Simba and his family. Simba is the name I gave to an adorable little boy on the top of the Eiffel Tower with his parents. He pointed to a patch of trees and asked about it. His dad told him that it was as big as central park. Actually, that it was even bigger! Simba didn’t seem to believe that “…I don’t know, Dad…Central park is willy willy huge. You just see trees all over!” .  The short version is that that’s when mom cut in to back up dad and assure Simba that the tiny green patch in the distance was, in fact larger than he could comprehend. “Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.”

That green patch in the distance is Simba’s Central Park (taken from the top of the Eiffel Tower)

So, before departing to begin part 3, I have to take another moment to appreciate what I’ve done so far, thank the people that have come into my life so far, and thank the people that made this trip possible.
P.S. I love you.

A “Thank You” from Versailles <3

Emily

Pretending I’m Still Here…

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Today I feel sick. Up until today, September 19 was distant enough for me not to care as much. September 19 was so far away, I didn’t have to worry about packing, saying goodbye, traveling alone, paying fees, finding a decent winter coat, cleaning my room, or my last day of work.

At 1 o’clock this afternoon, I found myself two hours away from the end of my last shift at work, and five days away from getting on a plane that will take me to New Jersey. My stomach felt like it does when I have to give a speech in class. My knees felt that way, too. I had the urge to go home and pack, fill the suitcase I had just acquired with the coat my mom had just found for me…and that was as far as I got with the mental packing list. I wanted to leave and write this blog, realizing I had so much to say that must be put in words now before I lost them.

But now I’m sitting in my room (which I can hardly stand to be in lately; its heaps of forgotten clean laundry and precarious stacks of half-opened boxes make me jumpy) struggling to write without thinking too much. My still-empty suitcase sits ominously in the midground, with shirts, sweaters, and cardigans pushing aside my closet curtain as if daring me: “Go ahead. I’d like to see you try.” I had hoped to be writing this while being semi-preoccupied with something else, like watching 30 Rock or waiting for the cake to come out of the oven. But no such luck.

What I’m trying to say is, I may go crazy. I can’t think too long about my imminent departure, or I might do something silly like cry or fall down. I’ve wanted to go to England for so long, watched so many movies and TV shows about it, read so many books, adopted the accent so often, let myself be so swept away by the culture as I imagined it to be, that I’m not completely convinced that it’s real. It’s like if you were to come across your favorite fictional character (or favorite actor, maybe) in real life: how do you align with your reality the thing that you idealized to the height of fantasy? I know it sounds ridiculous but I’m obsessed, and I couldn’t really explain why. I’m going to England like I’ve wanted to for years, and I’m staying there for three months. That’s a long time. People keep asking me if I’m excited and I say, “Yeah.” Maybe I sound bored, but I can’t afford to respond with my actual level of enthusiasm every time someone asks me that (which is surprisingly often; I’m starting to consider answering with something awkward like, “No. I’m dreading it.”). Also, if I get too excited, I might be setting myself up for massive disappointment. I’m trying to be realistic. I feel like I’m on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

My mom, apparently, is much more excited about this than she lets on. For the past week she’s been getting boxes with English-themed decorations for the going away party we’re having tomorrow. Napkins with the Union Jack and plastic cutouts of various English icons. I didn’t really see what they were. We’ve been researching traditional English dishes to recreate and serve at the shindig. Here’s a taste:

banger on a bun

trifle

cucumber sandwiches

scones with lemon curd

baked beans

Jammie Dodgers

…and tea, of course

I can’t tell just from the Internet how traditional some of these dishes actually are. I’ve tried to learn as much as I can from second-hand sources, but I know that culture immersion will feel very different. I’m looking forward to learning what only experience can reveal.

I got distracted and have run out of things to say. I think that was basically it. I’m okay now. Tomorrow I’ll pack a little bit, at least as much as I can with four days still to get through. Maybe I’ll make a list. I guess the problem is, my mind has already left. I just need to pick out the things to send with my body. But now that I don’t have to work any more, I can stop pretending that I’m still here.

I hope no one took me too seriously…

Marissa

Pre-Departure to the UK!

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Well it seems as though I leave in just over a week, and I can’t believe how fast the summer has gone by! I am so excited to start my next big adventure that I am already having restless nights in preparation for my departure next Tuesday. I often find myself lying in bed thinking of all the things I don’t want to forget to pack, so much so that I even started keeping track of things in a notebook that I leave on my bedside table where I can write down everything as it comes to me in the middle of the night!

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The list goes on and on…it seems like a lot but I just want to be sure I am extra prepared and don’t end up stranded without something I need. I have also begun the packing process, and I am proud to say I have whittled down everything to fit into one large suitcase, with a little extra room for souvenirs on the return trip. I remember being a small child running around on family vacations with a huge suitcase that was always SO heavy! Over the years I have perfected my packing technique to be tight and orderly so I can manage to carry everything on my own without getting tired, but hopefully I won’t have to drag my suitcase around too much while abroad. I hate sticking out like a tourist, even if that is what I am!

I am a little bit apprehensive to go abroad because although it won’t be my first time in Europe, it will be my first time completely alone! I anticipate that my host culture in the UK will be friendly and inviting, but I’m sure it will take me a bit to get used to the change in pace and lifestyle that goes along with being so far from home. To be honest, I am not sure what to expect but I know that whatever happens I will embrace it with open arms! I am more excited than anything to finally be out on my own, meet new people, and experience the world from another point of view.

The one thing that I am not looking forward to, but am expecting none the less, is the famed UK rain! I don’t really mind the rain, and as an Oregonian I am certainly used to it, but I definitely prefer the sweet summer sunshine to the constant drizzle of fall, winter, and spring. After all, my name is Summer!

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Well, that is all I have for now but I will be sure to check in again in just over a week when I arrive in London!

Good luck with your own adventures!

Much love, Summer