In just two short months, I will be leaving the country to travel the world. Via Semester at Sea, a study abroad program focusing on global connections rather than one particular culture. I will be gone 100+ days, visiting the Bahamas, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Guatemala. Sure, I traveled before, but nothing like this. No family or friends to begin with, not returning home for 4 months. I began this process years ago, I wanted to study abroad, but could not decide on one place. So I chose multiple countries. But now, the preparations are ending and the trip will begin shortly. I've waded through piles of paperwork, and dealt with more red tape and university bureaucrats than I care to. Vaccines, done. Visas, done. Research on what to do in every country is nearly complete. I'm left to finish this semester and then wait on January to arrive. I've been both nervous and enthusiastic, but the magnitude of what I will be doing is only recently beginning to sink in. I find myself nearly bursting with excitement, a broad smile on my face for no apparent reason.
I made this blog for everyone back in the states, as well as myself. My internet connections will be limited and possibly infrequent, but I intend to keep up with this as faithfully as possible. I expect pictures will come with most entries. I'm done working, I'm done preparing, its time to go see the world.
This program has been described as "the adventure of a lifetime." I don't intend for this to be "the adventure of a lifetime." It is merely the latest in a string on voyages. It will not be the last. Life should not have one adventure. Life is an adventure.
