Clothing? Check

Passport? Check

Chargers? Check

Excitement? Check

Euros? Well, not so much

As shocking as it may seem, there are quite a few differences between my life in the United States and my life here in Ecuador so far. Even though I have tried to welcome these changes as readily as possible, before the semester I had no idea how exactly my life would be different. For your reading pleasure, I have compiled a list of the five biggest ways I have had to adjust within the week and a half that I have been here.

So, I am leaving for Shanghai, China in two days. I have not started packing yet but have laid out all my clothes and belongings that I wish to bring with me. I cannot wait to leave! I grew up in a small town outside of San Francisco and currently go to school at Texas Christian University. It will be interesting to see the difference between California, Texas and Shanghai and compare the different lifestyles of each place.

Rome is calling me, and I have to answer. It would be rude if I didn’t, right?

I picked this program because of my religious and ethnic background. Being catholic and Italian, Rome seemed like the perfect choice for me. After I returned from northern Italy two years ago I told myself I would come back someday, and that dream came true. I have never been to Rome itself, and I’m usually up for trying something new. Another chance to speak with the locals, learn how to cook, visit endless churches and soak in the beauty of life!

You’ve decided to study abroad. You are going to have an absolutely amazing time and, as you’ve probably heard, this experience will be life changing. However, there is a lot to get done before this wonderful time can begin.

I’ve been in Freiburg for a little over a week now, and it still hasn’t fully settled in that this is the place that I’m going to call home for the next four months. Maybe it’s the fact that, between the hustle and bustle of orientation and classes, I’ve only just fully unpacked my suitcases; either that, or it’s the fact that I still occasionally get lost wandering around the city and can’t find my way to the nearest tram station without wandering around a little bit more.

“I’ve been here before” I thought to myself as I hugged my friend goodbye on her porch, seeing each other for the last time before yet another semester apart. I rolled my bag away to the same bus station that would take me from my college town of Austin, Texas to my beloved Houston. I knew I would get home and yet again have the same debate I had with myself last year about the practicality of bringing a certain sequined sweater in my closet to Spain.

This is a comic about the three warring voices as I prepare to leave tomorrow. It's a rollercoaster to say the least. For now I'm just focusing on surviving the Day of Eternal Airports. Maybe I'll run into someone else headed to my program!