1) I just found out I owe Semester at Sea an additional $750 because fuel costs increased. While this charge is unavoidable unless I want to sit in one harbor all semester, I have no idea how I'm going to come up with this money so close to sailing.
2) I don't have my passport. Currently, my passport is being passed around to the Brazilian, Ghanaian, and Russian consulates so I can get my visas. I'm supposed to get my passport back a week before I leave, but that's cutting it way too close for my comfort.
3) I still have a doctor's appointment, travel clinic appointment, and eye appointment to get all my vaccines and medication before being allowed to get on the ship in London. If something happens where I can't make it to these appointments, I'm out of luck!
4) I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to handle getting foreign currency for 15 different countries. I think I'm just going to open a checking account with Charles Schwab and use an ATM card (since they don't charge any international atm fees) but of course, I haven't figured that out yet either.
5) I have to pack for 4 months in just one suitcase and one carry on. Enough said.
6) I'm leaving my family, boyfriend, and friends behind for 115 days. The longest I've been away from my family is 1 month, and the longest I've been away from my boyfriend is a little longer than 2 weeks. And the longest I haven't talked to family and friends is probably one week. I'm going to be gone for 4 months without the use of my phone and VERY limited internet access to stay in contact with everyone I love back home.
However, I'm holding onto the promise God makes in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." While I probably won't stop panicking until I'm on the ship, it's a comfort to know God will be with me through this entire adventure.
Hey Kaitlyn,
ReplyDeleteI'm also sailing this Fall and I just wanted to say, don't panic about your visas! I'm leaving 2 weeks from today and I was told I wouldn't get mine back until the 8th, which is 4 days before I leave, but I found out today that mine are done and being shipped back to me now. They say it will take longer than it actually does. And also if you plan on opening an account with Charles Schwab, do it ASAP. It will take a while for it to get up and running and for you to get your card. Just letting you know so you don't cut it too close, you still have plenty of time, but don't wait until a week before you leave to try to open it. And don't forget that e-mail is free on the ship and you don't have to use internet minutes to do that so you can e-mail as much as you want! Message me if you have any questions, or want to talk or freak out to or whatever, I know exactly how you feel!
~Ashley Lushinsky SAS F13
Thanks Ashley! Can't wait to meet you in a few weeks!
DeleteHey Kaitlyn!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to give you some encouragement, because this part was the hardest part of studying abroad for me( all of the unknowns before you leave and telling everyone you were super excited when in reality its the most insane thing ever haha). Just keep reminding yourself of two things, 1. You are literally going to have the adventure of a lifetime, and 2. God has amazing plans for you this semester. When I was in the airport in Pittsburgh I was so close to just turning around and not getting on my connecting flight to NYC before my flight to Madrid, but I am SO GLAD I did it.
While I was over in Spain, five months felt like the longest period of time ever, and there were definitely days that I wanted nothing more than to come home. Looking back, it is so much easier to realize that in the scheme of things, one semester is not that long. Trust me, the experiences you have will be worth all of the times you want to go home!
For money, I would definitely just use an ATM card. There were ATMs EVERYWHERE in all of the European countries that I visited. Europe is more of a cash economy anyways, so most people don't pay with a card. If I were to do it again, I would also have brought a credit card with me (just watch fees.) I only had my debit card, and it didn't always work when buying things online (when we bought flights, train tickets, etc.) I'm not sure how much of that you will be doing, but I just wanted to throw that out there.
Packing is literally the craziest thing ever, because you will bring so much more than you need, even though its just one suitcase and one carry on. I actually wish I had brought less because I bought some clothes while I was over there.
You are going to have such an amazing experience! Just remember that this is the hardest part of the whole thing. It gets easier! Let me know if you need anything, and I will be praying for ya!
Hey Matt! I loved looking through all your pictures from this past semester and it's nice to know I'm not the only one who's ever felt this way! Thanks for all the advice; I'm definitely going to keep it all in mind!
DeleteKaitlyn,
ReplyDeleteTraveling is an art that is the next step of your education. People pack way more than they ever need and just end up carrying it around. You only need basics and a little forethought. I can help with that if you want. Also I can teach you how to maximize your suitcase. Tricks I have had to pick up over the years.
As far as money there are ways to get that all over the place. Banks are more than happy to help you convert what you need. Also I was surprised by how many places would take American.
If there is nothing else I have learned in all these years is every day is an adventure and you wouldn't have been at this point if you weren't meant to be going. Take a deep breath and get on the plane. The rest will come. You may think 4 months sounds like a long time but it will be over in a blink of an eye. Go learn, enjoy and remember anyone important to you will be waiting with open arms. You are strong enough to do this and it is your time. Don't let panic stop you from having this adventure.
I know you can do this,
Brenda
Thanks Aunt Brenda! Reading your comments definitely calmed me down! I'm going to practice pack about a week before I actually leave so if I have problems then, I'll give you a call and ask for some advice! Thanks for helping me out throughout this entire process!
DeleteHey girl!! I know studying abroad is kind of terrifying, but like everyone said it was totally worth it when I did it last year!! I won't lie it was hard to be away for that long, but worth every second. And the other people you'll be with will be going through the same thing you are, and it really helps having them there! I made some friendships while I was abroad that I will never forget. And one of the best parts is meeting new people not just from the U.S. but from other countries..it was SO awesome to learn about how they do things in different countries and to meet people who were actually from there. And as for money, there are ATMs and exchanges literally everywhere so you shouldn't have too hard a time with the money thing even in Russia! Most of the banks have exchanges and alot of ATM's will do it also. The ATM card is def a good idea but you might want to also carry cash just in case. A few times I had it happen where my debit card didn't work, and I couldn't figure out why or what I was doing wrong when I didn't speak the language haha. Also alot of countries have really cool markets you can go to but most of them only take cash. Idk where in Russia you are going but there were some great ones in Moscow and St. Petersburg!! I know it seems scary now but I know when I look back on it studying abroad was probably the best four months of my life. Haha and as for packing I brought WAY too much stuff with me also! They said only bring one suitcase..I brought two, and ended up throwing out alot of stuff and only coming home with one. I really wish I had packed less stuff than I did! There are alot of things I thought I couldn't live without and then never touched the whole time I was there. It sounds crazy but when you're traveling less is definitely more! There was so much stuff I didn't have time to do even after being there for four months..it will fly by!! I hope you have an amazing time!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the encouragement and advice; I definitely needed it! I hope I'm going to have just as great of an experience as you did while you were studying abroad!
Delete