How do you pack for a Year abroad?

The question of the year, that I hopefully will be able to answer sooner rather than later is "How do you pack for a year abroad?". As I am getting ready to go to Denmark I keep trying to anticipate what I might need, however that task is probably impossible. I know I will not be prepared for every situation and will definitely need to pick up some things once I am there. Regardless of my knowing there is no way to be totally prepared, if you know me, you know I have a packing list. :)

I am so excited for the year abroad! I know it will be filled with new beginnings, new adventures, different types of classes, new people to meet, and a myriad of other "new" experiences. I know that it will be a great period of growth and personal development. I feel that I am up to the new challenges ahead, despite my fear of getting lost on Public Transportation. With my complete and utter lack of a sense of direction (ask any family member for stories if you don't believe me) it is something that seems a little daunting. As a result, a personal expectation of mine, which I hope won't happen, is that I will most likely get lost on the bus or metro system at least once. Thus I will be carrying a map of Copenhagen at all times!

I guess the best way to prepare for study abroad is expect to be surprised and to be open to new experiences. As my friends from U of R start to disperse themselves all over the world for study abroad, I hope that everyone stays safe, and learns to embrace the new culture with open arms!

Cheers to that which is new!!

Mid summer

So I've almost reached the middle of my summer, and I still have only one blog post. I'm assuming that is a sure sign that I should update you all on what's going on.

My Dad and I have been working out at Gold's Gym pretty much everyday. Its really great to be able to work out with someone, it definitely helps to have someone encouraging you while working out at the gym!

As of tomorrow, Friday, I will have exactly 2 weeks left of my internship at Community Youth Development. Those two weeks will be sure to speed by since I will be going out and about to promote TheLookUp941.org. This has been my primary project this summer at CYD. It is a Free online database of positive activities for youth in Sarasota. It really is a great resource for Sarasota to have, and I am proud to go around promoting it. I will be sad leaving my internship, but I will definitely be dropping in on the CYD gang from time to time so it makes it easier. =)  I hope that I have made a difference with my internship and I hope TheLookUp941.org continues to grow.

After my internship I plan to spend time with family and friends before heading to Denmark. I am so very excited for Denmark!! I have been reading traveling books and looking at maps for months. Though it won't improve my deficit in the directional department (I get lost anywhere and everywhere) I just want to get a taste for the culture, the history, the people, and everything else under the Danish sun! Needless to say I'm a bit enthusiastic about my study abroad experience. The only thing I am slightly nervous about is that I won't know for certain whether or not I have been placed with a Host Family until 10 days before I leave (which would be Aug.10). I am hoping and counting down to the day I found out about a Host Family almost as much as I am anticipating the whole experience.

Anyways, that is all that is going on right at this moment, so I hope everyone feels updated on my life! I shall try to post more in the remainder of the summer than I did in the first part of the summer. =D

Start of Blog, Start of Internship, Start of New Gym Membership

With the start to summer, a lot of things have been going on. I've been unpacking all my stuff from Richmond, slowly trying to incorporate it all into what I have at home. I started an internship with CYD, and I also just got a summer membership for Gold's Gym. That should keep me fairly busy for the summer.

The next big project that will come up is getting ready for Copenhagen, which I am absolutely so excited for. One of the things I wanted to do before I go to Denmark for Study Abroad is to start a blog, so everyone can keep track of what I'm doing. Due to the time change, it may be hard to keep in contact with everyone back home. Hopefully with a blog, people will be able to see what I am up to, and can stay in touch.

Anyways, I don't know how many posts I will do during the summer but come the fall keep watching because there will definitely be lots of posts as I adjust to life in Copenhagen.